Well.
   
    We just got finished saying that nothing’s really changed with handbag shapes for the past several years, which was one of the reasons we felt so strongly that it wasn’t worth investing in the same old thing when we were so obviously nearing the end of a long trend cycle.

    And sure enough, no sooner did we say it than we started spotting a new seventies-inspired style that we think you’ll be seeing a lot more of in the next few seasons:
A super-long shoulder strap combined with a flatter, more rectangular shape. (Think modified messenger, sort of).

    Seeing how short straps and rounded shapes have dominated for so long, this new direction actually makes a lot of sense, which is why we think it’s worth noting.  The strong retro element (well, at least for us, whose first “good” purse was the—now-reissued—Coach City Bag)
combined with a more comfortable placement, (on the hip instead of wedged in the armpit) is a powerful combination. 

    Not only did the Sacred Oracle devote six pages to the look in its August 2007 issue, but variations have also been popping up in the user-friendly pages of magazines like Elle and Lucky as well.

While the Vogue editorial’s focus was on tall rectangular shapes,  Elle’s August “Style Spy” featured a smaller, more envelope-structured interpretation:

    And we have to say, we’re even less excited than ever about the now-so-common bulkier styles and their overdone hardware, excessive pleats, and chunky exterior pockets. The chains, buckles, zippers, grommets, padlocks, ruching and quilting that have been the hallmarks of the It Bags of seasons past all seem to be losing momentum to thesse new, more tailored styles.  Especially now that we’ve seen Balenciaga by Nicholas Ghesquiere’s detachable-strap tote:

and the ladylike shapes of Marc Jacob’s and Chloe’s long-strapped shoulder bags:

    Going forward, we predict that you’ll see detailing in more low-profile forms like piping and color-blocking, and we’re guessing that alternative materials like tortoise and lacquered finishes will start edging out the heavy metals. We also think you’ll probably see a general shift toward stiffer, shinier leathers as opposed to softer pebble-grains and distressed hides. 

    But no matter what form it takes, there’s no doubt that we’ll soon see a definite departure from the short-handled cylindrical bowlers, domes, satchels, and pouchy frame doctor-style bags everyone’s been carrying for so long. 

    In other words, if you’re thinking of investing in a new bag this fall with the idea that it will last several seasons, you might want to proceed with caution.  We’re not sure that much of what’s in stores right now might not feel a little dated in a year or two. 

Our advice:

Instead of stuff like this:

You might want to start considering stuff like this:

Or at least wait until the other stuff goes on sale, because we have a feeling the markdowns are about to get a lot better!