Clothing has never been more about the woman inside the garments than it is right now. Instead of designers issuing seasonal laws, the power has shifted to the people, who are dressing up or dressing down, but most importantly, dressing for themselves. What does that mean for accessories?
In New York, London, Milan, and Paris, we saw one of the most diverse seasons of shoes and bags yet. Some designers are offering sleek, functional walking sandals in sturdy black leather, while others have whipped up fantastical pumps for escapist fantasies. Bags are tiny and hands-free or enormous, giving women (and not a few men) the choice to leave home empty-handed or with everything they own slung over their shoulder. There’s also a new kind of glamour—a sort of couture-infused take on feathers, crystals, and high camp that’s sure to take over fashion’s biggest night, the 2019 Met Gala, themed to Susan Sontag’s essay “Notes on ‘Camp.’ ”
Keep scrolling for our take on the 10 biggest accessories trends of the season—we’ll let you know when they hit the streets next spring.
Not Your Average Pumps
Tom Ford Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
Don’t put all your money in sneakers just yet. Pumps are about to get very, very interesting. At Calvin Klein, court shoes took on a scuba spirit, while Balenciaga outfitted its polka dot heels with a bulging triangular back. No shoe was more daring than Christopher Kane’s: a kitten heel with a C-string tongue. Google at your own risk!
Shield Your Eyes
Miu Miu Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
Look at the state of our world right now—or maybe don’t. The natural reaction to both the daily barrage of bad news and the tiny-sunglasses trend is larger-than-life shades. Miuccia Prada adorned hers with bows and crystals while Gucci went bigger, bolder, and epically tinted.
Don’t Call Them Fanny Packs
Chanel Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
Led by Riccardo Tisci at Burberry, the belt bag got a sophisticated makeover this season. In fine leather with prim hardware, Spring’s belt bags bring class to a hands-free accessory—that is if you opt to wear it at all. At and Chloé, models carried their belt bags in their hands.
Veiled Têtes
Marc Jacobs Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
In mourning? Not quite. Spring’s plethora of veils telegraph all kinds of associations. At Marc Jacobs and Celine, small nets harkened back to the age of the great couturiers, while Rodarte and Mary Katrantzou’s added a bit of fairy-tale whimsy to their dreamy concoctions.
Practical Sandals That Pack a Punch
Hermes Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
If the Birkenstock was the shoe to beat of summer 2018, a similarly lug-soled flat sandal will be the one of summer 2019—according to the runways at least. Dries Van Noten, Hermès, and Michael Kors offered sturdy black options to carry you all season long.
Knot Another Basket Bag
Christian Dior Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
The rise of craft couture in ready-to-wear has resulted in a similar movement in accessories. Macramé bags, from Altuzarra’s shell-studded version to Giorgio Armani’s brightly colored duos, are all over the catwalks, with shoes and belts following suit.
Putting on the Glitz
Balmain Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
If you’re going to dress down, your accessories are going to have to dress up—way up. Embellishments like crystals and feathers have taken over sandals and cross-body bags, giving the season’s accessories a bright, happy feeling.
There’s a Beautiful Geometry to the Season’s Mini Bags
Louis Vuitton Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
Circles or squares? That’s the big bag debate of the season, with ’s mini trunks leading the charge for box bags, while Marine Serre was seen repping Team Sphere.
The Lady and the Camp
Gucci Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
Just in time for this year’s Met Gala—themed “Camp: Notes on Fashion”—designers like Alessandro Michele at Gucci and Thom Browne have created tongue-in-cheek bags worthy of a red carpet turn. Check the Met carpet next May to see which make the transition from runway to reality.
The Bigger the Bag the Better
Stella McCartney Spring 2019. Indigital.tv
Gigantic, enormous, truly over-the-top bags are nothing new—it was all the way back in 2015 when Phoebe Philo gave us the larger-than-life cabas tote at Céline. But these big bags have taken on a new life in the hands of Proenza Schouler, Jacquemus, and Stella McCartney, whose mundo totes come with a bit of humor and the ability to carry just about everything with you at all times.
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This article first appeared on Vogue.com
