Anti ‘It’ Bags for Every Occasion

By Alisa Welch
Sept. 8, 2008

Each fall season finds a new handbag so coveted, so expensive, so irresistible, and so hard-to-find that it must be inaugurated as the new ‘It’ bag.  Alas, within moments of achieving the coveted ‘It’ status, copycats and counterfeiters abound, removing any remnants of allure and stripping ‘It’ of its title…that is, until the next ‘It’ comes along. 

If recent economic and fashion indicators are to be believed, the birth and death cycle of the ‘It’ bag is a thing of the past.  Instead, as Stuart Vevers, the new creative director of painfully cool luxury line Loewe told Vogue: "It’s not about the It bag anymore. What's next is things that have authenticity and beauty."

In this spirit of independence from the tyranny of the ‘It,’ here are some truly gorgeous, it-worthy bags for every occasion.

Everyday in the City:

If I were forced to choose an ‘It’ bag (under great duress, I’m sure), my pick would be JCrew’s Italian calfskin Jamie bag.  Everything about it screams luscious buttery leather that you will never want to part with. I predict that it will sell out quickly, like any self-respecting ‘It’ bag would.

Speaking of self-respecting, the Rebecca Minkoff Market tote has style points to spare, with a roomy interior and shiny purple patent leather exterior that is seriously outta sight. 

Then again, a splashy bag will be of no use if you can’t carry your daily necessities, like that bulky laptop. I’m in love with the cool simplicity of Rachel Nasvik’s Tabitha bag, that’s big enough to be practical but luxurious enough to happily tote across town.

A Clutch for the Evening

When the night calls for just the bare essentials, a clutch is crucial. For a fabulous rock n’ roll take on the classic clutch form, Thomas Wylde’s ‘Voodoo Anaconda in faux-snakeskin is a contender for the ‘It’ clutch Hall Of Fame. (They have one of those, don’t they?) Meanwhile, Julia Cocco’s fanciful Violet Degrade patent eco-leather clutch and See by Chloe’s Day Tripper in electric blue add their bright lights to the big city.

Weekend To-Do List

For errands and weekend excursions, sensible bag solutions need not trump style. Marc Jacobs gets cheeky with his disco gold metallic Miss Marc tote while Orla Kiely’s Multi Stem vintage shopping trolley is the perfect companion for a day at the market.

Multi Stem Shopping Trolley $250.00

Matt laminated shopping trolley with cotton stem print lining. Front pocket with popper fastening and wheels that fold up so the bag can be carried. Zip and popper fastening to close. Leather handles. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.