Animalia is running rampant in fashion right now. Kelly talked about the trend on shoes earlier this year with a less than glowing review, and I’m afraid I have the same thing to say about bags. There’s a difference between animal print and, well, having an actual animal emblazoned on your bag (or an actual animal-shaped bag in Leiber’s case). Kitschy cool is clearly the objective, but not all of these hit the mark. Kenzo’s tiger-embroidered bag (on NET-A-PORTER for $580) is probably the one all of the street style kids will want, but for me, it’s still too obvious. I prefer animalia in a more subtle and sophisticated form. What do you think of the style – snob or slob?
Ted Baker “Safari Play” Twist Lock Envelope Clutch: Even though this envelope clutch contains a circus’s-worth of animals, it’s certainly quieter than other prints and not outrageously priced. At Nordstrom for $110.
Braccialini Temi Tote: This looks like something a tot would carry. While I respect the epic scale of reenacting a scene from the Bible on a bag, it most certainly falls in the slob category. On Farfetch for $1,328.53.
Thale Blanc Mackay Deux Laminated Nappa Clutch: This is animalia at its best – a single eye-catching embellishment against a simple, yet beautiful bag. On Luisa via Roma for $1,027.
Judith Leiber New Lion Minaudiere: The way I look at it, you’re spending six grand on a bag that you can carry almost nowhere (to the premiere of The Lion King 3, maybe?). At Neiman Marcus for $5,995.
Marni Tiger-Print Tote Bag: You can get away with louder styles on a tote bag. It’s not like you’ll be taking it to the MET Gala after all (if you do, I’m afraid you won’t be asked back!). At Bergdorf Goodman for $345.
slob, don’t like pictures.