Wednesday, March 28, 2012

So Long Carry-All

I fell upon a photo of my arm from a Tommy Ton/Club Monaco hosted event last week and it got me thinking about handbags. The evolution of purse in recent years suggests ‘So Long Carry All’ been a long time coming. First it was a transition from the Olsen sized hobo to Olsen-sized clutch. Then it was a reintroduction of the pouchette of sorts–last summer’s favorite in particular: Alexander Wang’s Marion mini. Shortly thereafter Proenza Schouler’s smaller PS11 rendered more lust worthy than the previous PS1 and Celine’s trio, a triple zip threat will in time–here’s hoping–remove a certain large tote from the grand scheme of purse. While we see fashion reverting back to this place of sartorial modesty–silhouettes are far more reminiscent of the 50s than they are this decade–it only makes sense that the minaudiere would see shining time again too.
Here’s me. Re: minaudiere, that’s the formal word, as taught to me by the experts at Ferragamo, for baby-ass-clutch. Somewhere along this stream of consciousness I remembered that over fashion week I’d been trotting a small satin clutch and it was then that I resolved, not much more space than the allotted there is all that necessary. Forget the chunky wallet and spare pair o’shoes, various sorts of lotion, battery chargers, prosthetic limbs, etc. When push comes to shove the imperative remain: credit card, cellphone, tampon. Boom, ladies night! Below here find a few variations of the small silhouette no longer reserved exclusively for swanky evening parties.

From top, left: Alexander McQueen, Diane von Furstenberg, BCBG Max Azria, Bruno, Givenchy, Lena Erziak, Judith Lieber. Credit given where credit is due: Alexander McQueen never saw nor accepted a death to the minaudiere–this particular version features a nice disconnect: utility suede on hard shell. Judith Lieber (bottom right,) cultivated an entire business on Swarovski adorned ornaments of sorts. And mixed among the aforementioned, you’ll find a few more options for when you’re ready to retire the massive sack. I am particularly keen on that little blue to pink ombre guy at right and the lucite apple, mid-bottom. Images via Stylespotting, Jak & Jil.

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