Trends


Box handbags for fall 2014

boxy box handbags

Pictured: Blue handbag / Trunk handbag / Black handbag / Yellow handbag

Box handbags are a new, up and coming trend this fall 2014 season. Designers in New York, Paris, Milan and London have introduced boxy handbag styles for the cool weather season; and are also showing box handbags for the upcoming spring 2015 season. Box handbags are being shown in many different styles including squares, rectangles and small trunks.

The box handbag is a structured, dressy handbag style which looks amazing with dressy outfits, office attire and evening wear; not including semi-formal or formal attire. This neat and tidy handbag style has also been spotted on the streets; making its’ way into the hands of attendees during fashion week, in all locales.

Box handbags have a retro flair to them which makes them look perfect with midi skirts, and fit and flare dresses. Box handbags also look appropriate with conservative office attire such as suiting, trousers, and pencil skirts. In addition to retro flair, the current trend in handbags is simplicity. With this current trend of minimalism in handbags, it is no wonder that box handbags are gaining popularity. They are simple and sleek!

I have been eyeing the box handbag trend for a few months now and cannot decide if I want to splurge on a square or rectangle box. I have had my eye on this one by Building Block. I love the simple shape and sleek leather. 

The rectangles tend to have more space inside of them since they seem to be falling into the medium size handbag category. The square box handbags designers have been showing for fall 2014 and spring 2015 tend to fall into the small handbag category; although, a few are being shown in larger, medium sizes.

Box handbags are a chic and modern alternative to the satchel this season, and are the current “IT” silhouette for a cross-body bag. When shopping for a box handbag this season, look for a convertible style which can be a satchel or cross body bag. Two for one; love that!

What do you think of the box handbag trend? I found a few amazing box handbags around the web and placed them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉


Lug sole shoes for fall 2014

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Pictured: MM6 Maison Martin Margiela; can be found here and here.

Lug soles are back. I never thought I would utter those words; I have! The lug sole was huge in the late 1980’s through to the early 1990’s. At that time, you never wanted a platform; only a lug sole. Lug soles were mainly found on loafers and boots, but would occasionally pop up on high heels and sandals.

In 2009, Prada showed the lug sole on a pair of high heeled, runway loafer pumps. Although a few designers caught on to the possible emerging trend, the lug sole remained quietly in the background, unable to revive, until 2014. Cue in the lug sole!

Although associated with the falling grunge trend, lug soles were actually a precursor to the grunge trend in the early 1990’s. They were considered “over” by the time the Seattle Sound hit the airwaves and teenagers smelled like teen spirit while wearing flannel shirts around the globe. The only lug soles left in style by the time grunge became popular, aside from Doc Martins, were in the form of hiking boots; which was a big casual trend in the early to mid-1990’s. 

For fall 2014, designers have gone head over heels for the lug sole. Lug soles are being found on every type of shoe imaginable including loafers, pumps, high heels, sandals, boots, and any type of shoe imaginable. The fabulous thing about the lug sole is that it adds height, like a platform shoe would, but it gets through the “platforms are out” loophole by simply being a lug sole. Love that!

Lug soles are also handy when it is raining or snowing outside. The lug sole is utilitarian and hugs the ground, allowing you to walk without slipping and falling. Under normal circumstances, one would have to wear boring snow boots or rain boots in order to enjoy the practicality of the lug sole in rain or snow. Thankfully, the lug sole has come out from under work boots, and weather shoes, in order to be a fashionable and practical look/answer to the fall season; and bad weather! Love it!

Now, if only California would get some REALLY bad weather in order to combat this terrible drought we are having; and also, so we can wear our lug soled shoes and enjoy not slipping!

What do you think of the lug sole trend for fall 2014, and into 2015? Will you wear it?

Lug soled shoes for fall 2014:


T-Strap shoes for fall 2014

T-Strap shoes are classic; but they also happen to be hot for the fall 2014 season. Designers such as Giorgio Armani and Gucci all sent t-strap heels down their runways for the fall/winter 2014/2015 season. The t-strap shoes shown on the runways offered classic lines, clean styling and modern touches. The modern touches shown on the runway included bi-color options, calf hair and thin heels.

Although traditional t-strap shoes are usually shown in solid colors, both the solid color and bi-color t-strap shoe are very “of-the-moment” for the fall 2014 season. The majority of the bi-color t-strap shoes for fall 2014 are being shown with contrasting neutrals, metallic hues or mixed with animal prints.

I absolutely adore t-strap shoes and have a few pairs stashed in my closet; key word is “stashed.” Although I love my t-strap shoes, I do not find myself reaching for them very often. This is definitely a shoe style I need to reach inside my closet for and start wearing for the fall season! What do you think of t-strap shoes for fall? 

I found a few fabulous t-strap shoes around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below, I hope you love them! I am eyeing a few pairs of the t-strap shoes shown below myself!  Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉