thoughts

Bare nails are not a thing

 in Trends  tagged thoughts by

pictured: an alternative to bare nails, sheer nails. / Chanel Affirmee nail polish for summer 2026 /

Bare nails are not a thing. Don’t believe everything you see on the internet. The people touting bare nails on social media as luxury and the current trend, don’t live in a luxury world. They are just promoting their own personal opinion which is not reality.

When people have bare nails, it is for a number of reasons. Some of those reasons may include a person is between manicures, or the polish chipped and they didn’t have time to repaint before going out so they opted to remove the polish, or someone is working on something that may chip their nails so they are paint-free, or for religious reasons, or they simply don’t like nail polish; and many more explanations. It has nothing to do with luxury, and everything to do with choices and lifestyle.

If you are wondering about luxury and nail polish, and what the correlation might be, you’re seeking an answer to something very individual. Nail polish is something artistic, and everyone expresses themselves in different ways. Some people prefer long nails, some short. Some people like nail art, others prefer one color. The list goes on.

I know “looking rich” or “looking wealthy” is a current internet and social media trend, but what is that trend really? It doesn’t matter if you try to look a certain way outside of your tax bracket, you will still look like you. Looking like a tax bracket above yours, isn’t about the bag you carry, the nails you have painted, or the colors you wear, it is a vibe and how you carry yourself. It is a lifestyle you can afford or not afford. So instead of seeking to look a certain way which doesn’t represent your bank account, how about dressing for yourself and reflecting your own personal lifestyle and vibe. You will feel more secure and luxurious than you ever imagined.

Oh, and have fun with your nails! Paint them any color you are in the mood for, don’t let some random social media account tell you bare nails are a thing, because they are not a trend, just a choice.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

The end of the IT era

 in General Fashion  tagged thoughts by

Current go-to casual outfit: gold hoops / lipstick / oversize tee / belt (old, similar here) / jeans / handbag / summer nail polish / boots /

There have always been trends when it comes to fashion and style. That being said, we entered an era in the early 2000’s when certain items were more than just mere “must-have’s,” they were necessities in life.

We saw fashion items such as the Burberry Trench, and  the Gucci belt turn up in almost everyone’s wardrobe. In addition, we saw handbag after handbag become the IT item bag of the month. We cycled through the Balenciaga City, the Chloe Faye, the Fendi Spy, the Fendi Baguette, and many more. Several of the IT bags were often hard to find, such as the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag in black with flamma interior. They were hotter than hot alongside classic IT bags such as the Hermes Birken, and the Chanel 2.55; both of which will forever be on the desirable IT list. The question is, are consumers still on the hunt for the ultimate IT bag or IT item du jour in the year 2026?

Recently fashion journalists have been trying to declare the handbag over. The handbag will never be over. It is a necessity of life as we need something to carry all of our stuff around. That being said, the past few years we have watched consumers shy away from the IT bag and logos in general. The current style vibe is quiet, and consumers are looking for quality over status symbols. Some say it’s the economy, but it’s not that; people are tired of keeping up with IT items and ostentatious style. The hunt became boring and cumbersome.

I have never been a logo person, so when logos went out of style, I jumped for joy! It’s always been an open secret that walking around with a bag or clothing item which flaunts a logo is gauche and shows no sense of style whatsoever. It’s just someone trying to show the world how much they paid for that item. It’s nice to see personal style instead of logos roaming the streets.

Consumer fatigue is the main reason the IT era seems to be coming to an end for now. People are reliving old IT items, and we are watching them circle back into style, but as for new IT items, we might have to wait awhile. The pendulum is swinging towards buying what we love instead of trying to own every IT item known to mankind.

This is actually a breath of fresh air for me. I have always been a mix of classic style and seeking the latest IT item. For the past few years, I became burnt out seeking the next IT item and concentrated on building my capsule wardrobes and going back to my personal mantra of timeless style; which was my whole style concept in the 1990’s. It feels good to seek items I love, rather than hunt for the latest IT item. I believe this will continue for quite some time.

What are your thoughts on the end of the IT era? Do think the IT era will return? Or do you believe it has run it’s course in modern times?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Are designers trying to make the IT bag happen again?

 in Handbags / Trends  tagged thoughts by
it bags 2025

Anonymous handbags for 2025: studded handbag / studded bucket bag in black / suede and leather bucket bag /

It is no secret that the one and only IT bag of the moment is no longer a thing. In present day, the IT bag of the moment is more of a style, silhouette and vibe. We are no longer pressured into carrying the one and only IT bag of the moment, from the only brand of the moment, while shunning everything else on the market. That era was so exhausting.

What is currently hot on the streets is the anonymous handbag, as well as styles which include the hobo handbag, slouchy bucket bags, belted satchels, moon shaped bags, mini shoulder bags, suede, and neutral hues. But is this enough for designers who have grown accustomed to trying to make the next IT bag happen? Sorry guys, not really sure it’s going to happen.

In the past few years, there has been a series of unfortunate events, so to speak. There have been a handful of scandalous advertising campaigns and unsavory behavior by designers or creative directors at a slim sampling of design houses. There have also been manufacturing and pricing scandals which have painted many high-end designers in an unfavorable light. In addition to this, consumers have grown tired of always chasing the next big IT bag. There has been a conscious move towards less consumption, and products with lasting power. How much lasting power does an IT bag have? Well, in some circles, one season at best.

This isn’t to say there is something wrong with the IT bag itself. This is more to say that instead of searching for the sold-out bag carried by all the hot, of-the-minute celebrities and socialites, handbag fans have gone out on their own. Fashionistas are not long searching for what a celebrity or high-profile socialite is carrying. Instead, they are searching for a high-quality handbag at a not-so-crazy price-point. Something they can carry for more than one season, and possibly even for years. The investment handbag is having a moment.

Investment handbags can be interpreted in different ways. Some see them as handbags which hold their value or rise in resale value. Others see an investment handbag as cost-per-wear or length of ownership. Whichever version of handbag investing you prefer, there is no wrong answer.

Despite this trend of seeking out high quality, anonymous handbags, designers are putting their feet down and trying to bring back the IT bag. Instead of coming up with something new, or cleaning up their tarnished images, they are bringing back styles which enjoyed IT bag status ten to twenty years ago. Do we really need these bags in our lives again? Probably not. This re-issue trend is actually exploiting one of the reasons consumers are seeking quality handbags over logos and designer names. The quality.

The reason many handbags became IT bags in the past was because they offered high quality materials and craftsmanship. In addition, they offered a style which appealed to the masses. As quality goes down, and prices go up, these re-issue IT bags no longer have the high-quality sparkle they once had. Instead, they serve as a reminder of what was lost; high quality worth the four-digit price tag. Now, they cost twice as much with lower quality materials and craftsmanship. Can designers save the IT bag this way? Can they revive it by serving up an inferior product imitating one from yesteryear? I think not. So, what is the solution? Do we need the return of the IT bag? Or should we keep on pursuing the quality and value afforded to us by the anonymous handbag.

Only time, and the consumer will tell.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy