Linking In

I was very happy last week when I snapped up a layered fringed chain necklace from Primark. But then I found out that Cornelia had taken metal chains to an entirely more adventurous level, and had decided to prove that I was being much too safe.

Suddenly, the clothes aren't important, but the chains worn with them do the work. With chainmail-esque designs reminiscent of Celtic embellishments, they are certainly worthy of some hype. They take fringing to a new level, and manage to even (gasp), make a plain dress or vest top look uber trendy. And the 'chain boleros'? Punky angel wings more like. How could you get more feminine-urban?

Photographs from http://www.corneliawebb.com/

Giving It The Sack

I must first make a rather embarassing admittance to having not blogged in a week or so and I must say, I am sorry. But let's move on from foot shuffling, looking-at-the-floor moments, to far better parts of life.

'Better parts of life' being defined as those wonerful accessories so natural to a woman that they could be considered an extension of our arm, and which shockingly have taken far too long to pop up in the natural selection process. For those among you still pondering on the riddle, the bag is the answer. The one thing I am in constant abundance of, and the thing for which I am afraid I may soon bear the title of 'crazy bag lady'. But only for bags would I bear that title.

And my, oh my what a delicious choice there is to pick from, as we all suddenly require that extra space for a) gloves, b) a nicer pair of gloves to quickly pull on when you're no longer in the 'don't care' zone, and c) that vitally important pillbox hat you were too afraid to wear at work.

With bags, there is no need to stick to 'rules'. There are always enough styles in fashion for the chic and savvy to find the bag for them, and size, in my humble opinion, has no importance. For example, I carry around with me the handbag of choice for the week, which I always tend to leave strangely half empty, yet fill up a shopper bag I unwillingly haul around alongside, so as to keep the 'cool' factor of the key bag of choice. There is no need to stick to solely one bag, so long as there is no issue of wearing them both in the same way, and having a disastrous clash or ending up looking like a dazed late night shopper on Oxford Street. Otherwise, remember how to wear your bag (that's whether to have it slung by your side, up in your elbow, over the shoulder etc.) and to keep the 'look' of your bag going. If you have an It bag, then walk like an It girl, if you have an 80s purse then mismatch your clothes for the vintage feel.

Never, must a bag 'just be a bag'. Where's the fun in that?

Possibly the most fun bag to wear is the traditional handbag, or 'purse' as it may be put. This version with a herringbone and gold style clasp shuts with a click, as if it needed to be more sophisticated. On top of the feeling it induces, of fantasticly prim formality, it fits right in with the 40s/50s looks seen on Prada and Louis Vuitton catwalks. And there isn't a better bag to wear with a glamourous fur coat, fur hat, and say, silk gloves for that extra just-dined-at-the-Ritz touch? (Bag, vintage)
If you feel that sticking to tradition isn't quite fun enough, then these bags by Ilaria Venturini Fendi for Yoox are perfect. Including enough colour to brighten up anyone's day, and a gold chain for the fashion edge, they would fit perfectly on the arm of a cable knit worn with an ankle length skirt. The best bit (well, maybe not quite the BEST bit), is that they are made of recycled Venetian blinds. And everyone knows that when somethings eco-friendly, it TOTALLY wipes any buying-guilt away. Perfect! (Bag, Yooxygen for Yoox)

If you want something a tad more vintage, and perhaps don't think that pastel florals go quite well enough with your tan loafers and parka, then this white and gold number is the one. As an over-the-shoulder bag only big enough for a purse and phone, it's perhaps not the most practical, but who cares about practicality? The straight angular shape adds that 80s touch for the edge, yet its simplicity means that it's perfect for capturing the androgenous trend. The camelion of bags. (Bag, vintage)

But possibly topping the list of bags, is the one that you can carry everywhere, that fits everything, and that somehow always looks good. That, is this bag. A beautiful shade, and leather, so the more it's used, the more worn it gets, and the better it looks. The handle is not too long, so you can artistically drape it by your side for fashion points, and then hook it over your shoulder when your arm is near to dropping off. And, for that extra 'pizaz', it just about goes with everything. Within reason. Capes, tick. Cable knit, tick. Short trousers, tick. Long woolen skirts, tick. Blazer, tick, tick, tick. What more can I say?

Unfortunately part 1 of the bag search must end, but no doubt more will come. Being a 'crazy bag lady' and all.

Photographs from http://www.dazeddigital.com/ and http://www.branded.net/