Bling bags get hot!

Matching accessories do not necessarily mean a huge gold necklace or a massive pair of diamond earrings.

Even a simple clutch bag or a tote can add to your grand statement. A handbag engraved with stones, diamantes, beads and sequins add that sparkle to any outfit. And, with the season in for a change once more, it is the ideal time to go shopping for your favourite kind of bags.

Note what Roopa Vora, a boutique owner, has to say, “With the red carpet and the Cannes festival swarming with them, tiny clutches are now a must-have accessory. Even totes and huge bags have made a comeback.”

The trick is to enhance the beauty of your dress subtly. Play it simple. Says Shruti Navre, “Since I can’t really dress up much at work, I make up for it with wacky coloured bags. Most of my bags remind me of a beautiful painting with a rush of colours.” It’s not just colours you can play around with, but the fabric as well. Leather, canvas, cloth or even bags with monogrammed logos, pick what suits your personality best.

“I like carrying big bags even though I don’t have much to put in it. I prefer using something that’s in vogue, though I like cloth bags more. They are lighter, easier to carry in summer and are washable,” says Niyati Rao.

And, with more and more women donning corporate suits, box bags look very professional. Vasundhara, a manager at a leading software company, wanted a bag for her laptop, but wanted it to be colourful and fun at the same time. So, box bags perfectly suited her needs.

Says she, “It’s great for professional use since carrying pint-sized bags don’t serve any purpose. I can put in quite a few papers and carry my laptop with style.” Big bags are not only stylish, but are useful for carrying everything you need for office or college.

But, Harshavardhini Barse, another marketing executive, prefers a clutch bag as it’s the best thing to carry when you want a no-fuss small bag. “We keep having get-togethers at work and I hate carrying my bag around. These clutches are the safest options as they are compact. All I need them for are to put in my keys, my cellphone and perhaps a lip balm. The space is just right.”

As for colours, neutrals are the best. They go well with outfits of any colour. For instance, muted gold and silver go with most other colours while black is classic. Mix-and-match all kinds of colours with your outfit. The more the clash, the more the match. If you aren’t too keen on experimenting, stick to monochromatic colours whether light or dark. So, get going and pick up your arm candy. But, make sure it suits your personality.

Moreover, when it comes to daywear, bigger bags are definitely better in terms of styles and colours, but elegant clutches are the perfect accompaniment for that special evening. “Restrict oversized bags for day time only as they look cool and chic but to make a statement, carry a clutch in the evening,” accessory designer Sumitra Bakliwal said.

“Clutches in gold, silver and metallic hues with little embroidery can go with any outfit. But it is the neutral bling like dull gold and silver that stands apart,” she added.
Meera Mahadevia, an accessory designer, who caters to the crème de la crème of Bollywood, believes the mix and match concept works best for bags.

“Fashion for me is more about fusion. My bags have an Indian feel to them as I render them in a more traditional and contemporary manner,” Meera said. Taking inspiration from a Buddhist prayer vessel, Meera has designed what she has named a ‘Mandala’ bag that is round in shape and is studded with precious and semi-precious stones that denote the eight planets. The bag is meant for the evening and goes very well with traditional Indian attire. “For my bags, I use all sorts of woven fabrics like patola and kashid and have fused this with leather to give it a contemporary look,” she explained.

For day wear, accessory designers give the thumbs up to big bags. “Oversized, detailed stitching, sleek outer pockets, print and textured fabric bags are very much in this season,” Lisa Pinto, senior business manager for Italian fashion brand Kappa, said.

“Most of our bags are accessorised with buckles, rings, buttons and studs,” she added. Jayshree Chowdhary, business head of Belgian luxury brand Kipling, vouched for metallic colours and also pointed out that purple is a big hit this season. “Bright colours like red, black, cobalt, fuchsia and orange are in, but purple simply stands out,” she maintained.

These contemporary and chic bags are generally made of patent leather, polyvinyl and nylon. “We use Italian leather and sometimes nylon for our bags. They enhance the durability and longevity of our products,” Jayshree said.