Valentino Fall 2011 Runway Bags: Girl, You’re a Woman Now…

If I were handing out awards for the most surprising and most improved bags (I think I should be!), Valentino would receive both trophies, hands down. Gone are the once-standard bows (better as dress adornments) and ruffles (more apropos on the coats). The bags have grown up and come into their own. In the place of girlish or lavish embellishments are sleek, chic bags of elegant proportion and style. While studs were the main course for some bags of previous seasons, they are now a side dish. A wise evolution. Ensembles like these – clean lines, frothy lace touches, fine fabrics and tall snakeskin boots – demand bags with close attention to detail that compliment and don’t overwhelm. Flat python wristlet bags were shown folded over as clutches or dangling freely as totes. Perfect for the urban sophisticate. Though they added quiet attitude, the color-blocked shoulder bags, in muted shades of both leather and exotics, were my favorites of the batch. Interest and excitement sans anything unnecessary. For Valentino, less is definitely more.