Heidi Klum Pink Handbag

So I’ve seen and reported on the fashion trends they’re pushing at us this season and frankly it’s a little depressing. Head to toe denim looks, tattered clothing, heavy clogs and mules. It’s not that these trends are bad but they’re not the way I envision a spring wardrobe, quite the opposite in fact.

I can’t believe I’m alone in this and I expect others will want to be trendy but will still want to feel fresh, and bright and springy. So I think we’ll see spring showing up in accessories in the spring and summer of 2010. I rushed out and got a pink handbag after I wrote about them and I get compliments everywhere I go. It’s a wonderful way to stay trendy with the somber and drab trends this season and still add a splash of fresh spring color.

In jewelry it’s all about the statement piece, nothing new there. But it’s the bib necklace that’s really making people take notice and works very nicely with really understated looks. Bib necklaces make such a loud statement that you don’t need an expensive or eye catching outfit, just let the necklace do the work.

Another way to boost the spring feel of your outfit is to add a scarf or a wrap in your favorite spring color. Many climates have some chilly temps in the spring so throwing on a scarf or wrap is also a practical idea and it adds an edgy to almost every outfit. But be warned, the scarf and wrap trend is winding down so you don’t want to rely on this spring look every time you go out.

Reese Witherspoon

Today is Reese Witherspoon’s birthday, the starlet is 34 today and really looks better than ever. Yep, even in this incredibly casual ensemble.

Reese Witherspoon is seen above with her boyfriend Jim Toth on vacation in Ojai, California taking a vacation not only from their homes but from all the trappings of celebrity too.

There is just something comforting in seeing a celebrity dressing the way I do on a regular basis and not really looking any better than I do. Reese is wearing a plain old pair of jeans, nothing cutting edge, no distressed jeans, boyfriend jeans or any other trend, just regular jeans like we all have tucked into a drawer and pull out on a regular occasion. Her grey short sleeved t-shirt is also very nondescript, probably not a $100 t-shirt but a standard $10-20 t-shirt you can pick up at your local Wal-Mart or Target.

The only thing that Reese is wearing that’s cutting edge trendy is her cross body messenger bag. This style handbag is very popular and it’s also a practical choice that can be worn in a number of different situations. But here’s it’s worn in the best situation, as a casual practical accessory to an everyday outfit.

This just proves that no matter what her age and no matter what she wears, Reese Witherspoon is one class act.

Victoria Beckham Messenger Bag

For financial and practical reasons I set a challenge for myself in 2010, to not buy any shoes. Shoes are my one true love and it’s been a challenge but so far I’ve been successful. That is I’ve been successful in not buying shoes but maybe not in saving money. It appears as though my addiction has shifted to handbags.

The handbag fixation started with an oversized pink handbag because that is one of the big trends for the spring. I may love this pink handbag more than any other purse I’ve owned, but then again it hasn’t kept me from looking at other handbags.

One of the huge trends I’ve noticed this year in handbags is the way the leather is handled. Whether it’s a perforated pattern in the leather, braided straps, or leather fringe, it seems that everyone is looking for a new way to work with leather and make it more than just the foundation of the handbag. One of my favorite examples of this is the Foley and Corina Wrapped Chain Hobo with its pebbled leather, scalloped seam, wrapped leather banding and leather fringe. Somehow they managed to work a number of different leather treatments together and not make the handbag look fussy or overdone.

Another handbag trend that is moving into the staple realm is the cross body or messenger bag. Initially this handbag trend was focused on larger, more utility looking purses but now they’ve transferred the style to more attractive and pretty handbags. Long straps make any bag a cross body purse and this insures we’ll be seeing more of this trend.

The best thing about these 2010 Spring handbag trends is that you can actually find a bag that you can find a purse that features all three of these trends, like the Matt & Nat Commix Drawstring Bag.

Jessica Biel Practical Handbag

This means that a strange split has cropped up where a moderately expensive good quality handbag that can be used for years, like the Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Faridah Bag which is an understated, versatile and functional hobo, is one of the hot trends. This trend is all about practical quality.

On the other side of the coin, the very expensive, uber trendy handbag like the Jerome Dreyfuss Twee Mini Python Bag, a clutch which is packed with trendy details like the metallic fabric set in a snake skin pattern. This particular trend is about wealth and trends and showing off.

And finally, the inexpensive and very trendy handbags, like the Mad Imports Opal Straw Clutch. This clutch handbag is in a bright trendy color, features sewing details in the fabric and has a nature inspired touch, all current fads in handbags that probably won’t last long, making this a trendy 2010 handbag that will make its wearer look cutting edge but won’t break her budget.

Yellow Handbags

Fall 2009 is here and it’s time to swap out that summer handbag for this season’s latest trends. The runways of Bryant Park Fashion Week were a testament to the economic crisis with a stronger emphasis on simple fabrics, clean designs and happy colors. So what will handbags trend towards in the fall of 2009? They will the place where your stylish nature can burst forth.

Look for bright colors, the saturated yellow handbag, deep turquoise, and fuschia colors are still hot and trendy in handbags. Use these popular colors to contrast your outfit or to make a simple look pop with excitement.

Another way to draw attention to yourself and your look is through an embellished handbag, look for studs, gems, sequins and fringe. Rather than dressing up your body this season you’ll want to dress up your handbag, this gives you some luxury but doesn’t look ostentatious, which is a concern with this economy.

Speaking of bringing luxury to your look through your handbag, going animal is a very trendy way to do that. Whether you prefer the animal prints, the animal textures or even fur handbags you’ll be right in style this season. Just remember to let the handbag shine and serve as your focus item and then let your wardrobe fall in line behind the handbag trends.

Heidi Montag

She’s slid into a pair of skinny jeans but apparently no one told her that the skinny jean has been replaced by the boyfriend jean and if you are going to wear the skinny look you have to at least cuff them.

For shoes, Heidi Montag selected a pair of jeweled flip flops, again a look that is so last year it just doesn’t work with the attempt at a draped top. And since she was making a television appearance you think she’d dress up the look a little bit with a pair of simple flat gladiator sandals.

Her largest accessory, the ginormous blue purse is an okay statement but she’d be better suited by downsizing it a little bit and finding one with some metal accents (the must have handbag trend for fall) like the Flavie Tote by Anya Hindmarch in cobalt blue. This purse is the perfect fashion accessory of the season as it’s bright, comfortably sized, has metallic accents and rich soft leather.

As a side note, Heidi Montag was on Good Day L.A. to discuss her recent appearance on the Miss Universe Pageant where she sang her song, Body Language. It appears as if Heidi Montag is looking for a way to actually deserve fame rather than being thrust into it from her so-called reality show on MTV. It’s pretty clear from her Miss Universe performance that singing is not going to be her ticket to fame. Hopefully we’ll be seeing less of the wanna-be-celebrity in the future.

Chastity Bono

Since I was probably one of her biggest fans when we were children I’ve decided to help her in this transition in the only way I can, by suggest a shoe progression that should keep her looking stylish and sexy throughout the entire process.

I’m not sure how far she’s gone in her sex change so I’m just going to start at the beginning with the shoe she should have been wearing when she was 100% female (at least on the outside). I think the Madden Girl Women’s Setra shoe is the perfect girly shoe for Chastity. The stacked heel is easier to walk on than a stiletto, the ankle wrap strap keeps the shoe comfortably in place and the ruffled center T-strap is very feminine without seeming too little girlish.

Transitioning out of this very feminine stage would require a lower heel. The Sam Edelman Black Leather Women’s Giada Shoe  is the perfect shoe for this stage, you’ve still got a feminine touch with the strappy thong and the wooden bead embellishments but you’ve got a certain amount of strength implied in this gladiator style shoe with tribal inspired touches. The heel is also very flat and easier for many people to walk in.

As the transition progresses the NaturalSport Women’s Angela shoe is a great choice as its got a comfortable  unisex look to it. the padded slingback with elastic panels is built for comfort and as her/his body begins to transition further I would assume there are a lot of uncomfortable moments, and everyone knows that you just feel better when you’re wearing comfortable, good-looking shoes.

When she’s rounding the corner and almost into her new role as a male she will probably want a shoe that looks like it could be worn by either a man or a women. The Naturalizer Women’s Nickie is the perfect shoe for this situation as it is a classically styled oxford that is streamlined for a smaller woman’s foot yet carries a distinctively unisex look that works for men and women. The N5 comfort system also make it a great shoe to wear from morning to night.

Finally, as Chastity Bono finally assumes a role as a man in society (I have no idea what her/his name will be – I like Chad) I would suggest a simple men’s athletic shoe like the Skechers Men’s Devered shoe or a dress shoe that is a true classic like the Rockport Men’s Evander which looks great on everyone and has a narrower profile which will still fit Chad’s slender foot.

So what shoes do you absolutely need to have to lead the fashion pack in 2009?

Lauren Conrad Gladiator Shoes

The gladiator shoe  is the breakout shoe from 2008 and at this point it’s pretty obvious that every woman should own a pair and wear them frequently. Unfortunately, “reality” star Lauren Conrad appears to have taken the trend a little too far and from the looks of the bruises and bandaid on her leg she must be moonlighting as a gladiator as well. You can skip the bruises and just wear the shoes.

Leighton Meester Cage Sandal

The cage sandal as seen on Leighton Meester is just an awesome look. It’s a little bit sexy, a little bit naughty and a whole lot of S&M, the perfect shoe to make everyone jealous.

Jessica Simpson and Mary Kate Olsen Platform Shoe

The platform sandal is more popular than ever, allowing women to reach new heights in fashion. Jessica Simpson and Mary Kate Olsen sport the style above but just  a quick look will tell you that platforms are the celebrity sandal choice of the season.

Collar Sandal

Jessica Alba Ferragamo Handbag

Mary Kate Olsen Gonzalez Handbag

Rihanna Devi Kroell Handbag

So the moral of the story is, buy a big bag and a little bag, buy a colored bag and a natural bag and look for something that is made of reptile skin or an animal skin replica.