11/19/07: Out With The Old Bag

6:20 p.m.
There's been rumblings of discontent in fashion blogs and fashion reviews over the spring and summer about the gargantuan proportions that handbags and totes are beginning to achieve, with many writers and shoppers wondering if it's even possible for normal human beings to carry something any larger:

This Bag is Too Big: Marc by Marc Jacobs Lovely Behati Bag

" . . . the Lovely Behati was right in front of my eyes and it was beautiful. It should have been a moment of retail perfection, I should have been euphoric, but after the initial delight of seeing it in the flesh, reality set it. Though "lovely," that bag was freaking gigantic!"

Everywhere you look, women are at risk of being swallowed whole by the lavish maws of totes, hobos, satchels and shoppers that increasingly resemble exotic diaper bags more than a must-have fashion accessory.

But when the pendulum swings too far, there's always a blowback in the collective psyche; hence, the introduction of the oversized clutch. A larger bag begs to be filled, while an oversized clutch whispers sweet promises of freedom from the sweat and drudgery of lugging around the kitchen sink in a bag:

I Am Fashion: Oversized Clutches

"On a recent shopping spree, I was bored, waiting outside the changing room, and I started picking up the bags around. After a few bags, I picked up this large Marni clutch, looked into the mirror and got that feeling -- that unexpected, novel feeling. After carrying large handbags during daytime for so long, it was SO refreshing to carry this clutch . . . . it's such a nice feeling to carry a bag with only the things you actually need, instead of the ten million random, useless things you probably have in your bag."

My friend Louise said pretty much the same thing when we talked about the possibilities of the clutch for daytime use. It was almost as if leaving behind the paperback novel, the notebook, the collection of ballpoint pens, packs of gum, aspirin bottle, hand lotions, sanitizing wipes, hair products, backup YSL cosmetics kit and extra pair of Wolford tights was a positively revolutionary (and exceedingly welcome) idea.

Jalda has forged ahead with a number of colors and skins for their line of fold-over "Bean" clutches that convert to mini-totes in a pinch. At 9"x5"x1" they're roomy enough to keep you out of trouble while still svelte enough to transition from day to evening use. Below are photos of their Pony-skin and Python skin models:

Fendi is making waves for the spring with its collection of oversized baguettes, which look more like just regular sized shoulder purses to me -- at least what used to pass for a regular sized shoulder bag before all the fashion houses took the blue pill and jumped down the rabbit hole into waaaay out-of-proportion land. What makes their new big baguettes even better is the slavish devotion to the eighties revival trend. Just take a look at the colors! I want my MTV!

Chloe is also jumping on the smaller-is-better trend and issuing a trimmed down line of shoulder bags that offer plenty o' room coupled with plenty o' style. Their Eddie Leather Shoulder Bag is a delightfully liberating 7"x5"x2" while their Heloise Quilted Bag (which I've mentioned before) has chiseled away the excess bloat that recent designers have tacked onto the poor unsuspecting shoulder bag model to reveal a lean, mean fighting machine in a giddy, patent orange package.

And then, of course, there's always the trend-blazing, fashionably spot-on Jimmy Choo with a functional for day yet sublimely stylish for evening fold-over patent clutch with chunky hardware and wristlet strap. Below are photo slices of three different colors offered:

Who wouldn't opt for one of these sleek babies in the hand over some Godzilla-sized tote straining at the neck, shoulder and arm?