By Bag Snob Tina on March 8, 2013 1:06 pm Tina Craig

It was such a thrill to finally attend the Miu Miu show (though I almost passed out walking to my seat, due to a lifelong fear of walking on grids). I was in for a treat: Miuccia didn’t disappoint and best of all, provided some much-needed lightheartedness on the last day of Paris Fashion Week. Leaving the drama far behind, she made us smile with a great heap of fun, French frivolity. And by “us,” I mean Marc Jacobs who was in attendance (in his new uniform of fur and silk pajamas; oh, how I envied him after nine days of running around Paris in ridiculous single-soled stilettos!), as well as a whole slew of A-list celebs.

Miuccia also played with a theme we’ve been seeing a lot of lately: overcoats worn as dresses. Thanks to the hourglass, waist-cinching shapes with exaggerated shoulders – and Minnie Mouse-esque buttons – outerwear feels more appealing than ever, even if you end up indoors roasting. Bold pockets, zippers, and quilting imbue dashes of utilitarianism. Though, while fall may involve layering apron skirts and parka coats, Miuccia is all about lightening up. I welcome the polka dots, stripes and bright colors of my teenage years in the ‘80s. Funky tights led into Belle Epoque-era boots (both designed to lead the eye downwards for visual excitement, not to mention to inspire a smile) and slinky black tank dresses received spotty necktie twists. A sprinkling of gigantic bags made the statement clear: you ought to take your autumn dressing with a degree of cartoonish verve. Humor reigns free – and is it ever missing when Miuccia is involved? Never, but Fall 2013 welcomes Miu Miu’s brand of whimsy at its very best.