The bare essential
MANILA, Philippines – Surprisingly, the past couple of seasons have been heralding the shoe —intricately sculpted, highly embellished and certainly eye catching — as the must-have accessory as best dictated by the work of Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy and Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent. But despite this new approach to dressing, the bag, in all its unparalleled versatility, remains the perennial accessory that one simply cannot do without and this is also very much apparent in the countless looks that define the season.
It only makes perfect sense then that the fashion savvy — despite regular newfangled fascination over varied articles of clothing each season — consistently turns to the good old purse for both aesthetic and function. A bag certainly says much about its owner. Hence, many women treat the process of finding that perfect bag like rocket science — and rightly so.
To the woman whose lifestyle is so dynamic that she requires the least amount of time to shift from one aspect of her life to the other, a multifunctional bag designed to fit just about any ensemble is all too important. For others who thrive on change, bags that dare to play with fabrication, color and print are ideal as they express a more adventurous take on design. The red carpet regular, meanwhile, may require something that allows them to sashay from one A-list event to the other super style status. When it comes to bags, to each, really, is her own.
Shape, size and shade are, of course, major elements that one must place under great consideration when picking out a bag. Tote, hobo, carryall, miniadieres or clutch? These variations will depend on the look that you are going for.
Structured bags are more classic and traditional especially when executed in black, deep brown or other stark hues. Keep in mind, however, that when finding your timeless piece, you will surely want one that has been crafted with the utmost commitment to quality — superior leather and hand-stitching among many others. More relaxed bags in slouched shapes and soothing palettes, on the other hand, express a stylishly laid-back temperament. Material selection may vary from your low-maintenance canvas, PVC or soft skins and may even come with logo prints depending on one’s style preference. They may be worn for weekends out of town or for running errands around the city, as they are both spacious as they are easy to carry around. Cocktails and dinners, of course, are undeniably the best venues to sport the season’s best. A clutch — outsized or otherwise, embellished or metallic — easily fits into your evening ensemble whether it be a high octane of-the-season frock or an edgy, street inspired mix of high and low pieces.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing and putting together your collection of bags. And this is but a prelude to the completion of a cohesive and stylish wardrobe. With each season, a new aesthetic is brought to the fore, bringing about a new take on design and function. Espiritu for Tru’s pieces that encompass the classic, the stylishly nonchalant and the intellectually innovative address bring to the fore a sensibility in bag designs that is both versatile as it is visually compelling.
