We’ve seen celebrities wearing animal print handbags, especially jungle print, quite often recently. Whether it’s a leather or patent leather handbag, a leopard, tiger, or zebra print seems to be popular. To advance this trend somewhat, designers are doing variations on animal prints. Aside from mixing up the colors, which we saw on a handbag worn by Dita von Teese a few weeks ago, bolder shades are being incorporated into standard animal print patterns. One animal print handbag, a blue leopard print Dolce and Gabbana handbag creates a distinct variation on this trend that manages to be subdued but bold. While the blogger at Purse Page doesn’t think much of this particular tote, it, by itself, indicates a possible trend for 2010.

If you’re looking for a similar but affordable style, Best Handbag Wholesale and other affordable or wholesale brands carry such designs. In the case of BHW, they have a similar patent leather tote bag with zebra stripes. A pink and black zebra print handbag offers the same type of variation seen above with the Dolce and Gabbana tote. In this case, the statement made by the bag is completely bold, without anything subdued about it.

Animal prints are one of the latest trends at the moment. Patent leather is, to an extent, and the BHW zebra print handbag incorporates both popular trends. If animal print, as we saw with the snakeskin handbags last week, wants to stick around, it needs to evolve. Consumers aren’t going to stay with a basic leopard print handbag like it’s 1987 and, instead, want something new. Standard animal prints are still a visible trend, as seen by the other products in BHW’s selection, but, as with all trends, it doesn’t last forever. Pink – or purple or blue – zebra print keeps this trend somewhat afloat by putting a new spin on the old.

Naomi Watts, the actress known for The Ring and Mulholland Drive, appeared at the premier for film Nine with a burgundy off-the-shoulder dress and gold jeweled clutch. Some of the jeweled clutches we’ve seen worn by celebrities have larger gemstones on them, while clutches, such as this one on Naomi Watts, are a shimmering gem shade. The clutch itself is a solid, shimmering shade of gold which has a distinct closure on top. Because the jeweled trend has been seen mostly on clutches, some variations can be founds. While some might opt for the distinct jeweled purse seen on Kate Winslet a few weeks ago, others might go for the jewel tone seen on Watt’s clutch.

This style doesn’t apply only to high-fashion brands, however. For the conscious consumer wanting some style, many affordable and designer-inspired brands carry similar products. Best Handbag Wholesale, for example, gem tone and shimmering wallets are an option to be used for such a clutch. Such wallets are 7.25 by 4.25 inches and, if you’re looking for a clutch, one of these can be used in place. Aside from silver, other bold gem toned wallets are sold by Best Handbag Wholesale, including green, purple, and pink with the same shimmering quality.

What goes with this type of clutch? As 2009 has seen many bold statements made with handbags, a solid color outfit, similar to the one worn by Watts, is appropriate. Although it’s essentially boldness met with boldness, the two distinct hues go together in this case. Pairing between the purse and the outfit involves finding shades that match and complement each other. The silver wallet, above, would go well with any dark colored dress or outfit, either purple, dark blue, or black, while one of the other colors, such as the pink or green, might benefit from the same type of pairing, so that bold the clutch and the outfit pop.

Neon was last seen in the early ‘90s and, until recently, it disappeared from the fashion landscape. ‘80s fashions have been back the past few years, so bringing back neon with wayfarer sunglasses, off-the-shoulder shirts, and tiered ra-ra skirts is only inevitable. But, while neon for the most part has only been seen on clothing and sunglasses so far, it’s starting to appear on handbags, such as this hot pink handbag worn by Sarah Jessica Parker. The handbag, much like an ordinary leather tote, is colored fully with the bright shade. In the picture, the shade is bright enough that it eclipses Parker’s entire outfit.

This isn’t an entirely new handbag style, however. During 2009, we saw many solid colored leather handbags in which the full shade was bold. This included metallic handbags colored in silver or metallic blue or a deep bold shade, such as the royal purple handbag worn by Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl a few months ago. Aside from these bold or metallic shades, eye-popping colors like deep reds or orange coral were seen on other celebrities around the same time. Neon, inevitably, is a progression in the same vein of boldness.

Neon isn’t only seen on bags by the top designers. Affordable brands and designer-inspired wholesale dealers carry handbags incorporating neon colors, such as this hot pink and camouflage handbag recently added to Best Handbag Wholesale’s product line. Although not fully neon like Parker’s tote, this handbag juxtaposes the brightness of the same shade of hot pink with the more staid shades of hunter’s camouflage. While this bag is distinctly western, it and other bags in neon green and blue indicate that neon shades will be incorporated in many styles in the near future.

Hobo handbags are one style we’ve seen many times on this blog. It’s not that easy to escape, however. Nearly every celebrity seems to be having one. In a sense, the hobo handbag is a variation on the ‘80s slouch purse which, at the time, was a somewhat shapeless leather handbag with a medium-sized strap. In the present, the hobo bag keeps the shapelessness of slouch purses but the size has essentially quadrupled. Look at a hobo from one direction, and it looks like a large, amorphous tote bag. From another, it’s simply a small piece of luggage. And, in this sense, nearly everyone – both women and men – can use a hobo, because it’s not really a purse and not really a piece of luggage. It’s, instead, a multipurpose hybrid.

This is what designer Marc Jacobs appears to be using his hobo handbags for, anyway. While still a staple piece for many female celebrities, Jacobs shows it’s okay for male celebrities – and men in general – to carry a hobo bag. In his case, Jacobs is using a few to bring things to the beach and, considering the bag can hold a few towels, as well as other items, but, of course that depends on the size of the bag.

Celebrity and wannabe-pop star Heidi Montag (or Pratt, whatever you call her now) has often been seen wearing various bright colored hobo handbags. Under the link, Montag is seen with a dark blue Balenciaga alligator skin handbag the size of an art portfolio. While she doesn’t appear to be carrying much in there, think of all the things that, when used practically, could fit inside one. For men and women both, such a handbag could easily serve as a carryon with a few basic items, such as clothing and toiletries, for a trip.

Who says animal prints are the way out? While we haven’t seen many celebrities with snakeskin handbags or clutches in recent weeks, the designers are still making them. The trend, it appears for the moment, is to use the snake or alligator skin but keep the bag less bold. In the case of a recent python handbag by Burberry, the material still retains the distinct texture of snake scales but, rather than being dyed a bright purple or blue, the material is white. In this case, the natural color scheme of the snake scales isn’t preserved. This is the case for alligator and crocodile handbags, too.

If you’re not able to afford a Burberry snakeskin handbag – and in this economy, who can? – Best Handbag Wholesale has similar designer-inspired styles that capture this low-key animal print look. One option, a handbag that imitates alligator skin is designed with leatherette but has the same tote style as the Burberry bag above. Additionally, the color is natural – a light brown – and the leatherette material is printed with the skin of the animal. Other bags, on the other hand, keep a natural color, but the rest of the alligator print handbag is embellished with rhinestones and some color variation on the trim.

If you’re looking for a smaller bag, clutches and smaller handbags also have this staid animal print style. One such handbag is simply dyed black or brown but printed completely with the pattern of the animal’s skin. Wallets have been given this treatment, too, and, as we’ve seen in earlier posts, various wallets at Best Handbag Wholesale have the same type of animal or snakeskin print. Whether it’s simply western fashion or a case of being designer-inspired, handbags and clutches across the board still display these textures into 2010.

2009 saw many trends in handbags, ranging from snakeskin handbags to fringe and various stud embellishments. However, you could also call 2009 the year western style fashion met the handbag. Although western fashion isn’t really a stranger to ordinary attire, such distinct style was never really added to mainstream handbags. This year, many designer brands – and consequently, brands for designer inspired handbags – started incorporating many familiar aspects of western style into their designs. In general, 2009 was the year the handbag made a bold statement and, in many cases, became the center of the outfit.

Animal skins were one of the more prominent designs seen this year that harked back to western style. Python skin was in, as well as alligator and cow skins. For the high-end designer brands, the real skin made up the bag but, for designer-inspired bags, this meant the skin pattern was printed onto leatherette. While the skin in most of these cases was dyed, it was sometimes left natural. Snakeskin boots have always appeared to be a western luxury item, and this year saw the same type of style applied to handbags.

Aside from animal skin, many western embellishments found their way onto ordinary leather handbags and clutches. The most prominent was studs – most rounded bullet studs but others the size of conchos. Although a studded leather handbag was often associated with a rocker or punk chic instead of western fashion directly, punk aesthetics are never orderly, and all studded handbags seen this year had all pieces of metal laid out evenly and orderly. Adding rhinestones to handbags and clutches was also laid out similarly. Additionally, fringe was seen on many solid black handbags, lined across the edges and the bottom. Even with the smaller cross body bags, some fringe was also prevalent.

Patchwork seems to be a style designer brands seem to push more than the consumer will wear. Although boldness appears to have been the style of 2009 for handbags, having five different types of materials sewn together on a handbag seems to approach levels of tackiness. Or does it? Jessica Simpson was spotted recently with such a patchwork handbag by Louis Vuitton. This particular bag is fairly basic in its combination and, really, is only a variation on most monogram handbags. But, with large swaths of leather monogrammed material leopard printed fur, it satiates those who can’t decide between jungle print and monograms.

While Coach and Louis Vuitton appear to push this combination, they’re not the only brands doing it. In fact, many designer brands have taken this model and added their own spin on the patchwork handbag. In the case of Best Handbag Wholesale, this includes western style hobo bags, such as the one pictured under the link, that combine cloth, patent leather material, snakeskin, and imitation suede. As the main monogram brands have started this look, some of the cloth used is designed to imitate a traditional monogram pattern. Be it a “C” like Coach or Chanel or a “G” like Gucci’s monogram style, the material looks like a monogram pattern but doesn’t fully ape off their designer counterparts.

This isn’t the only patchwork style this season seen at Best Handbag Wholesale, however. One design is a patchwork tote bag made entirely of cloth. As you can see in the product under the link, this includes bright neon colors – green, in this case – juxtaposed with darker and camouflage print fabric. Much like a quilt, instead of a material mishmash, all pieces are square and sewn together. Quilted bags have been seen by designers like Chanel this past year, so perhaps this bag combines both the patchwork and quilted trends.

You probably bought several handbags in 2009, didn’t you? While lists of the top trends of the decade are out, handbags are almost always changing. 2009 saw some divergent and diverse styles that, with their boldness, nearly eclipsed everything from the past two decades. No longer is it acceptable to have a plain black handbag (unless it’s a cross body bag), and you’ve got to be bold. Some of the notable things we saw thing year were:

• Western style. From large and bullet studs on black leather handbags to fringe decorating many solid color bags, western fashion emerged on many handbags. Although a horseshow purse isn’t going to show up any time soon, enough embellishments turn an ordinary bag into a western accessory.
• Studs. Echoing the trend above, studs could be seen as western embellishments or rocker chic. Whether you were going for a refined western look or a torn punk rocker one, many solid black handbags were decorated with rounded or bullet studs this past year.
• The tattoo style. Ed Hardy may be found at your local thrift store now, but for the first half of 2009, this brand was at its peak as a favorite of urban fashion stores and club kids alike. Other designer and designer-inspired brands tried to copy their tattoo-decorated products, rhinestones, studs, and all.
• Hobo bags. Although these handbags hark back to slouch purses of the ‘80s with their shapelessness, the size has increased significantly. Not only can you use them for running errands but for a suitcase, as well.
• Reptile prints. Snakeskin – authentic for post designer brands – was seen everywhere for most of 2009, but python wasn’t the only reptile targeted. Crocodile and alligator skin or prints were used nearly as often. Although the texture and color scheme for many of these was kept intact, many were dyed a bold color.
• Bold leather. As mentioned before, it’s not really acceptable to have a solid black bag. Glam it up with a metallic shade or neon color.
• Animal prints. Jungle animal prints, as well as cow skin, was all the rage this year. The patterns, such as zebra or leopard print, were added to many leather or patent leather bags.

One aspect of western fashion, particularly women’s accessories, that we haven’t touches is crosses. If you’ve looked through the products at Best Handbag Wholesale, you’ve probably noticed that nearly every type is decorated with a cross motif. This includes not only handbags but hats, belts, and jewelry. Is there some significance or is it merely a part of western fashion?

In general, the crosses are merely part of western fashion, particularly cowgirl style. Whether it’s a pair of silver-cross earrings or a cross-shaped pendant without religious connotation, this style is pervasive across all western styles and retailers. The cross, however, does have some sort of religious significance regardless of how you wear it, but how it’s designed makes it more or less a western symbol and not directly religious.

Crosses are found on many BHW handbags. These cross handbags may be adorned with a metal or black cross, often one that’s flared or rounded at the ends. As this is the main ornament for the bag, the cross is often depicted on a solid colored background. But the cross itself isn’t solid and on many of these handbags, it’s embellished by the material used – such as cowhide or metal – or with rhinestones like turquoise or quartz.

This symbol also appears on many pieces of jewelry and decorative accessories like belts. Rhinestones shaped like crosses, for example, decorate the sides of many western-style belts at BHW looking to stay western but adding a little bling. Similarly, many of the jewelry pendants take this cross shape, as well. In addition to being metal, many of these pendants designed with a combination of cow hide, rhinestones, and traditional western stones. To accentuate one of these pendants around your neck, couple it with a solid color chain or leather cord.

Designer-inspired products are created to have the same style as the high-end designer brands at a fraction of the designer cost. One of the latest styles for women has been floral patterns, including light or abstract patterns. On the Purse Page fashion blog, a small pink and yellow floral clutch is up for giveaway but, if you can’t win such a product or afford one ordinarily, similar designer inspired products are available through Best Handbag Wholesale. While the Dolce and Gabbana clutch has a small chain and name plate attached, the same type of pattern is available on many clutch-style wallets at BHW.

For a similar color scheme, one such floral print wallet from BHW has a similar clutch style. While the flowers in this case aren’t abstract, they, instead, follow somewhat of a paisley pattern, with floral blossoms and their stems curving in one direction as if to outline a tear-drop shape. The background, however, is a pale color and the pink and blue blossoms from the flowers contrast with it. Essentially, this wallet, while having the latest floral print style, incorporates the paisley print that has been popular for both men and women since the spring.

But what if white simply isn’t your color? Dark backgrounds are one option for floral print, as seen by this Betsey Johnson clutch. Floral prints at Best Handbag Wholesale for clutch-style wallets are designed with darker backgrounds, as well. One such wallet has a black background and brown-colored leaves. The flowers, on the other hand, are white with purple highlights and a yellow center. If you want the pattern of the clutch to be focused on the flowers, this particular wallet lets the blossoms to the forefront of the pattern while the leaves take a back seat.