Handbags & Accessories News

Monday, August 8, 2011

Box Bags

Go ahead and swing one of the season’s ladylike box bags on your arm

By Ellyn Chestnut and Kate Davidson Hudson

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Forget pigtails: Resurrected braid trend is all about glam

Kristian Dowling / Getty Images file

Actress Blake Lively, sporting a chic 'do, attends HBO's post Emmy Awards reception in West Hollywood, California.

By Brooke Foster

Name a female celebrity, and chances are there are red-carpet photos of her hair in a braid. Spotted recently: Miley Cyrus with a skinny side braid. Blake Lively with a messy French fishtail braid. Jessica Alba in a headband braid.

Once a symbol of the plain Jane – think Melissa Gilbert’s long pigtail braids on “Little House on the Prairie” – the braid has been elevated to high glam. Fashion designers like Charlotte Ronson sent models down the catwalk with inspired plaits during Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week. When Christina Aguilera wore three mismatched braids on a recent episode of “The Voice,” Twitter was abuzz with comments about the star’s hair.

Braids are even becoming the hairstyle of choice among trendy brides; Brides magazine recently named Nicole Kidman’s bohemian style braid a “wedding hairstyle of the week.”

And now a “braid bar” may be coming to a city near you. Last week the John Barrett salon at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan opened just that. For $45, anyone can make an appointment to sit in one of the salon’s fancy chairs and have their hair braided. “It’s a good way to bring in girls who maybe can't afford to come get their hair cut and colored, but they can still come get a really cool new thing," salon spokesman Jenna Goldate told the New York Daily News.

Red carpet trends aside, the braid is a perfect hairstyle for summer. Here’s a guide to some of our favorite braided hairstyles:

Milkmaid braid: Soft, feminine, and pretty, the milkmaid is a braid that goes around the crown of your head. It’s also been called a headband braid, since the hair is sometimes braided to look like just that. Refinery29 has a great tutorial to get the look.

Ian Gavan / Getty Images file

Front and center: Jessica Alba opts for a classic hairstyle at the 2011 Orange British Academy Film Awards in London, England.

French braid: A French braid is an intricate hairstyle that starts with three small sections of hair at the top of the head and weaves more hair in as you braid toward the nape of your neck. Here’s a helpful how to from Allure Magazine.

Fishtail braid: A loose braid that typically begins just below the ear and uses only two sections of hair for braiding (rather than the usual three). The end result is a braid that mimics the scales on a fishtail – only sexy. Cosmopolitan Magazine offers a step-by-step guide.

Side braid: You can do this one in about ten seconds. Pull your hair to one side and begin a standard braid below the ear. The looser and messier looking, the better. Voila! Perfect for pool or date night.

Pigtail braids:While you probably wouldn’t split your hair into two and braid both sides for a formal event, pigtail braids are the perfect weekender hairstyle. Try it with a flowy sundress for a boho-chic look.

The Today Show

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Handbags for Spring Summer 2011

An on-trend spring summer 2011 bag means colourful and applique, either matching the outfit or contrasting it. Size is what matters: medium.

Spring 2011 Tassel Clutch

Tassel bag

A dangling tassel is a must-have bag detail of the season. This trend loaded with playful attitude adds a boho chic flair and gives the impression of not treating fashion too seriously. As seen in Gucci.

Spring 2011 Belt Purse

Belt purse

Keep your trinkets close in a trend-setting design! The adjustable buckled strap make this bag type a hands-free, travel-ready accessory designed for women on-the-go. As seen in Michael Kors.

Spring 2011 Envelope Clutch

Envelope clutch

Medium sized bags – this is a spring summer 2011 accessory directive. But what actually means medium? Just make sure your bag is enough for an iPad. Carry it (a bag, of course) day or night for a touch of undeniable luxury. As seen in Celine.

Spring 2011 Fringe Hobo

Fringe bag

Carry all your essentials in a bohemian style! Taylor Swift, Kate Hudson and other hippie-lovers just can’t resist a casual bag adorned with super trendy fringe. As seen in Rebecca Minkoff.

Spring 2011 Leather Satchel

Leather satchel

A must-have bag type for real ladies. Trademark handhold straps give it a classic aesthetic that’s equally chic dressed up or down. Perfect for 50′s style ensembles. As seen in Loewe.

Spring 2011 Rhinestone Clutch

Rhinestone clutch

Classic canvas goes glam with a rhinestone trim. A clutch dripping with beads is the perfect piece to dress up your simple LBD and to put all of your going-out essentials in the palm of your hand. As seen in Michael Van Der Ham.

Spring 2011 Leather Rucksack

Backpack

Surprised? This spring we’re all coming back to school in style! Just feel free to stuff this handy bag into as many overhead bins as necessary. As seen in Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony.

SOURCE: http://fashion-allure.com/style/handbags-spring-summer-2011/