Big Handbags are Beautiful in 2010!

"She had the loaded handbag of someone who camps out and seldom goes home, or imagines life must be full of emergencies"

Mavis Gallant

I'm not sure to whom Mavis Gallant, the well known Canadian writer, was referring in this quote, however, I am sure that most modern, independant women can relate to it on some level or another.

We've all been there; what starts out as a harmless 'quick drink' at the local bar on the way home from work, rapidly degenerates and in the blink of an eye you find yourself in a hazy Sambucca mist, frantically dancing away to Abba in that 'two bit' nightclub you always swore you 'wouldn't be seen dead in'....again!.....ringing any bells?

Anyway fast forward a few hours and you come-to, head pounding in the harsh and unforgiving rays of daylight peeping through the bedroom curtains of whichever 'friends' house you happen to wake up in and panic strikes.....'BAG!' You scramble around for a few minutes tring to re-construct the previous nights antics whilst quietly mumbling 'never again!' When suddenly your fingers encounter a familiar object. There, under the bed, is your handbag, lying faithfully in wait like an old Daschund, 'Phew!' The balance is re-set and the hangover begins to subside as you realise that everything that you will ever need in this kind of an emergency is literally at your fingertips; spare toothbrush, clean underwear, Eau de Toilette, make-up bag, hairbrush, asprin...etc, etc, etc...

Now, I don't now about you, but for me, this kind of scenario, in varying degrees, is not uncommon. My everyday bag therefore is of large proportions, Mary Poppins esque some might say, and for quite some time I have had to sacrfice 'à la mode' style for practicality, as the fashion world has dictated that 'small is beautiful' and to posses a large portmanteau simply screams 'Bag Lady!'

The winds they are a changing though for 2010, my friends, and it is being dubbed as the year in which 'anything goes'. Big handbags therefore, are bountiful on the catwalks and my 'ole faithful' Duffle bag is no longer an object of ridicule with the fashion elite ( Well, not for the next 12 months anway!). Tote, Hobo, Bucket, Clutch, Messenger, Shoulder, you name it, each and every style of bag can be seen in 'size large' this year.......Hurrrah!

The actress, Kate Bosworth, for example, was recently spotted in New York City's East village sporting a hobo-style oversized bag.

Kate Bosworth spotted with her 'overnight emergency' type Hobo handbagCheck out this on-trend, A5, leather-like Hobo inspired handbag at http://www.huafu.org/

Whilst hot off the catwalks Chloés Aurore top handled duffle in grained vegetal calfskin is high on our wish lists for this Fall.

The Chloé Duffle Fall 2010

The Jessica Simpson inspired Duffle Bag found at www.huafu.org

Animal prints are right on trend for this coming Fall, and again the bigger the better in terms of both print and size of bag. Kate Moss, for example, chose to design a 70's inspired pony-printed valise for her debut for Longchamp and Celines Lepoard print-on-pony Cabas Bag brings glamour to the Shopper.

Get the look for less with this Zebra printed handbag from www.huafu.org

And, finally, if you're brave enough, big bags in bold colors are a must for this summer season, such as Todds D-Styling Bauletto Medio in luscious red.

Huafu Tradings 'D5' leather-like large red Tote, found at www.huafu.org

So ladies, there's no longer any need to be ashamed of your hefty Shopper or voluminous Duffle bag. Big is now beautiful in every style and in a multitude of textures and colors, and if you still aren't convinced then just consider the slimming effects and how petit and demure you will appear alongside your oversized, yet chic, clutter carrier!