Trends

The death of the logo bag

 in Handbags / Trends  tagged winter 2019 by

staud clear plastic tote bag

pictured: not a logo bag. Categorized as a quiet, trendy bag. Can be found online here, check out my review here.

The death of the logo bag. You knew it was coming.

Logo bags have been a hot trend for the past few years, but in 2018, they started to wane. As we move into 2019, the logo bag is over. 2019 is all about expressing yourself through your handbag. It is a year to tell the world a story. It is not a year to be a walking billboard.

There isn’t one stand out IT bag this year, instead, we are looking at IT trends in the handbag world. There are three distinct handbag trends that will evolve over the coming year, branching off into separate trends for each distinct season. In 2019, we are looking at forms of the understated trendy bag, the quiet status bag, and the bold bag.

The Understated Trendy Bag

Are you always on the cusp of the latest trends? Then a handbag from an emerging designer will be your bag of the moment. This bag will have a distinct structure and style; without a distinct logo. Those in-the-know will recognize your bag instantly, while those not in-the-know, will be left scratching their heads.

Shop understated trendy bags:

The Quiet Status Bag

Does your bag show your status? If you wear your bag the way you drive your car, then your Hermes, Chanel, Louis, and Gucci will still be OK; just don’t flaunt them. If your bag is full of logos, then you are telling the world you are all flash and no cash. Stop trying to prove something to the world. In 2019, you can wear silent IT designers. Wear Chanel, just wear a quiet Chanel. Wear Louis, just wear a quiet Louis. You get the picture? There is no reason for the designer logo to be splashed all over your bag. It’s so last year, and so not #money.

Shop quiet status bags:

The Bold Handbag

Do you love standing out in the crowd? This year look for handbags that stand out. Perhaps a multi-colored, artistic handbag will be your go-to bag. Or, you might opt for a neon pink bag. If you want to get noticed, then look for a bright handbag that stands out. Your bag needs to shout “Look at Me!” not “Look at How Much I Cost!” That’s so last year.

Shop bold handbags:

The economy is good, but individual people are not always good. Taxes have gone up, and wages have been stagnant or gone down. People have disposable income, but not as much as they did a few years ago. There is an overall feeling of being unsettled as global politics shifts to the far-left, and to the far-right; leaving the moderate middle feeling unsafe.

This unsettled political climate means fashion is more about self-expression, and less about showing off the price of something. Handbags will be the hardest hit by this shift as they are often thought of as the ultimate status item in a woman’s closet. In 2019, the handbag shifts from a status piece, to a form of telling the world who you are, or how you are feeling.

What are your thoughts? Are you still feeling the logo bag trend, or are you over it? Which type of bag will you wear this year?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Goodbye 2018 and hello 2019

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged 2018 year in review / happy new year by

goodbye 2018 hello 2019

pictured from left: fanny pack / beret / handbag / Bermuda shorts /

It’s time for my annual Goodbye to last year, and hello to next year post! For kicks, you can check out my post from last year here.

2018 wasn’t too crazy when it came to fashion trends. Despite the return of the fanny pack, which didn’t really take off, we didn’t have too many trends to make fun of this past year. When it came to the 2018 color trends, we watched Millennium Pink decline in popularity; and we watched the color of the year go into obscurity. Instead, the colors of 2018 included lavender, shades of blue, shades of brown, yellows, and red.

The fanny pack appeared on Instagram and the streets of fashion week, but non-bloggers and non-street-style-stars thumbed their nose at the return of the fanny pack; which in all fairness, was a giant joke in the 1980s; so it is no wonder that people are still laughing now. Athleisure increased in popularity, and sneakers reined as the supreme comfort shoe of the year. Vintage inspired handbags such as circle totes and box bags, emerged as the alternative to logo bags; which people are tired of seeing on the streets.

Now, as we head into 2019, let’s hope we have some more entertainment! So far, the new trends for the new year seem pretty benign and normal. Of course, you never know what may emerge throughout the year! So, without further ado, here are the trends we are celebrating the demise of, and those we are excited to embrace in the new year.

Goodbye 2018 trends!

Fanny Pack: We laughed at people wearing them in the 1980s, and we are still laughing at them. Stop trying to make the fanny pack happen, it’s not going to happen. And for goodness sake, stop wearing them cross body; nothing looks dumber than a giant fanny pack crisscrossing someone’s chest. Just. Stop.

Clutches: While clutches are a staple for formal affairs and evenings out, they are no longer the daytime handbag staple. In 2019, look for something with straps or handles for a hands-free lifestyle.

Ultra-Violet: While this purple hue was projected to be everywhere in 2018, it’s lighter hued sister lilac took over the streets. Sorry Ultra-Violet, people just weren’t feeling you; next!

Berets: This trend tried to start, for two years in a row, but alas, it never really took off. Leave the beret for next time you need a Parisian costume, they were over before they started.

Daisy Dukes: Thank goodness this trend is over. No-one wants to see your cheeks; no matter how many squats you do each day. Keep those tucked in, and toss the Daisy Dukes.

Leggings as pants: The days of wearing leggings as pants are over. Thank goodness! No-one wanted to see jiggling trunks around town. In 2019, look for athleisure styles such as elevated sweatpants, and loose fitting track pants to take you from the supermarket to the gym. Leggings are for the gym only.

Distressed denim: In 2018 we saw a drastic drop in denim with holes and heavy distressing. The new year is calling for hole-free denim and creative washes. Toss the damaged denim.

Hello 2019 trends!

Living Coral: This cheery, upbeat hue is the color of 2019. Let’s hope it actually happens, and brightens everyone’s day!

Purple tips: This hair color trend gained momentum in 2018, and is expected to explode in 2019. Look for people’s hair to have bright purple tips in the coming months. Don’t worry, it’s usually semi-permanent and washes out in ten shampoos, so have some fun with it.

Earth tones: Look for shades of brown to continue to soar in the new year as the 1970s continue to be a decade of influence in fashion.

1980s: This colorful decade is baaaaaa-aaaack! Look for big shoulders, bright colors, oversized jackets, coats and suits; as well as blue eye-shadow. This trend will be like, totally awesome.

Disco vibes: Sparkle and shine like it’s party-time! Don’t save your sequins for NYE, wear them loud and proud during the day too! 2019 is all about shimmering fabrics, sequins, and sparkle. Let’s yourself shine!

Bold black and white: Look for prison stripes, and other bold, black and white patterns. No small pinstripes or tiny checkerboards, everything about patterns and stripes in 2019 is big, bigger, and biggest!

Train case: While the circle tote has been popular for a few years, handbags are starting to move into boxier territory as we roll into the new year. Look for less circles, and more boxes in the world of handbags.

Bermuda Shorts: Yikes! This could go really well, or really awful. Shorts are not-so-short as we move into 2019. Look for long shorts which brush the top of your knee cap in the new year. So very ‘80’s!

For more 2019 trends, check out my trends from the runway post for spring 2019.

Which trends are you excited to see disappear from 2018? Which ones are you looking forward to in 2019?

Happy New Year!

XOXO

Cathy

Pantone color of the year 2019 Living Coral

 in Color Trends / Trends  tagged color of the year / fall 2019 / pantone / spring 2019 / summer 2019 / winter 2019 by

pantone color of 2019 living coral color of the year

photo courtesy of Pantone.

Drumroll please . . . the color of 2019 has arrived! The new color we all will covet in the new year is “Living Coral!” On Thursday, December 6, 2018 Pantone announced the new color of the year for 2019. The newest color in fashion and interior design is Living Coral.

Living Coral was one of the top 12 colors for the spring/summer 2019 on the New York Fashion Week runways last September. So, it is no surprise that one of the top 12 colors from the spring 2019 runways has become the ultimate color of the year for all four seasons in 2019.

pantone living coral swatch color of 2019

Unlike the color of 2018 which was a purple that transcended seasons, Living Coral is a very spring/summer hue. It is much more playful and spirited than the colors of the year we have seen lately. This color is engaging, and draws you in.

According to Pantone, we will see Living Coral used for eyes, cheeks, hair and nails in the coming year. (photo courtesy of Pantone)

Living Coral is a color found in nature. It symbolizes the need to preserve the earth. If you think about coral, it is a color seen in sunsets, oceans, and nature in general. In the ocean, it is a color that protects other colors; coral reefs are home to many vividly colored sea creatures. This is a warm, soft orange with golden undertones, which according to Pantone, “. . . energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.”

When it comes to fashion, Living Coral can be seen as a vintage hue being revived. Although versions of coral began popping up on the 2016, 2017, and 2018 runways, it really took center in fashion during the 1960’s and 1980’s. For 2019, we are seeing it in both women and men’s fashions as it returns to center stage. This color is being used as the focal point of a design, as well as accent hue in accessories. It’s everywhere!

I believe we will see it more in the spring, summer, and resort collections, then fall and winter; although it has been spotted on cold weather runways already. I find it very unexpected for cold weather fashion, so it will be fun to see how the color progresses throughout the year in fashion. Although, Living Coral would pair nicely in the fall and winter with chocolate brown or dark beige. It should be fun to see if designers use it on the fall/winter 2019/20 runways coming up in February 2019!

What do you think of Living Coral for 2019? Is this a color you see yourself wearing or decorating your home with? You can learn more at Pantone.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Collina Strada runway for spring/summer 2019 NYFW; photo credit Matt/ In Spades Blog /

Collina Strada SS19 nyfw runway