One popular trend this season has been studded handbags. Various celebrities have been spotted with large or small studded handbags, including Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr with a studded handbag. As seen on Szohr, even overly large handbags – another trend this season – can be studded, as long as it’s done right. While some may call this trend “rocker chic,” especially when one of these studded leather handbags is paired with a cropped leather jacket and ripped jeans, others may call it western. But, what is the line between rocker chic and western cow girl? For the latter, not all western styles involve looking like a cowgirl and, as we can see by various western styles influencing mainstream fashion, having a bit of western style makes your outfit stand out a bit.
But often the defining line between rocker and western is how neat the design is. Rocker – and punk – looks are often associated with eclectic but haphazard styling. Studs, in this case, could be on a leather jacket or a handbag, but the rocker look is done by having the studs not put in a neat and organized pattern but, rather, like you did it yourself. In addition, most studs used for leather jackets and collars are bullet or pyramid studs, and having perfectly rounded studs seems too, frankly, perfect and even.
Another aspect about this particular purse – and similar purses seen this season – is the effect of black on black: black studs on black leather. Are the studs supposed to be visible or are they more of a texture item? As various textures are popular for handbags this season, including snake and alligator skin textures, having a hard, bubble-like texture would make the handbag stand out. But other handbags seen on other celebrities this season can be seen with metal studs so, perhaps with this western-or-rocker studded look, the studs are both textural and designed to make the handbag the focus of the outfit.
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