2009 saw many trends in handbags, ranging from snakeskin handbags to fringe and various stud embellishments. However, you could also call 2009 the year western style fashion met the handbag. Although western fashion isn’t really a stranger to ordinary attire, such distinct style was never really added to mainstream handbags. This year, many designer brands – and consequently, brands for designer inspired handbags – started incorporating many familiar aspects of western style into their designs. In general, 2009 was the year the handbag made a bold statement and, in many cases, became the center of the outfit.
Animal skins were one of the more prominent designs seen this year that harked back to western style. Python skin was in, as well as alligator and cow skins. For the high-end designer brands, the real skin made up the bag but, for designer-inspired bags, this meant the skin pattern was printed onto leatherette. While the skin in most of these cases was dyed, it was sometimes left natural. Snakeskin boots have always appeared to be a western luxury item, and this year saw the same type of style applied to handbags.
Aside from animal skin, many western embellishments found their way onto ordinary leather handbags and clutches. The most prominent was studs – most rounded bullet studs but others the size of conchos. Although a studded leather handbag was often associated with a rocker or punk chic instead of western fashion directly, punk aesthetics are never orderly, and all studded handbags seen this year had all pieces of metal laid out evenly and orderly. Adding rhinestones to handbags and clutches was also laid out similarly. Additionally, fringe was seen on many solid black handbags, lined across the edges and the bottom. Even with the smaller cross body bags, some fringe was also prevalent.
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