Wow, I thought I carried a lot of junk. If you are off to Paris (or anywhere in Europe) and you have a very large leather purse, you should take it with you on your trip. While I cannot say that every chic chick had an oversized bag, I can say that I saw more humungous handbags on the streets of Paris than I have ever seen anywhere else.
No, I am not a fashion maven. I am just a semi-average American Baby Boomer who likes to travel and likes to fit in with the locals, as long as the locals aren’t wearing grass skirts or skimpy bikinis. Well, I just got back from my favorite city of light and I want to tell you that my puny cross-body shoulder bag made me feel like a wimp.
Large Leather Handbags in Paris
When I say large, I mean that Parisian women were carrying bags that could double as weekend jetsetter carry-ons. But, no, these monsters were worn by average women and teens, who usually paired their giant purses with cool outfits centered around skinny jeans or black leggings that were tucked into great boots.
By the way, I would like to mention that, if women in France are wearing beautiful large leather handbags in 2011, these same handbags will be in style in the states for the next several years. We are a year or two behind Europe. A groovy bag will be an investment piece, so take good care of it.
Paris Trends: Photos of Women with Chic Bags
Although most women wore black bags, many a girl had a handbag that contrasted nicely with her everyday "uniforme noir" (black uniform). Last time I went to Europe, the main thing I noticed was the abundance of flat boots. Well, those are still the footwear of choice in Paris and, this time, all I saw were great handbags that had no obvious labels.
Even though most ordinary Parisian women did not carry designer bags, here are some photos from online fashion magazines that exemplify the hot look:
- Black Maxi Dior Bag: This model has the Paris 2011 street style down. She would actually blend into the street in her black leather outfit. The best giant handbags have two straps: one for over the arm, the other to be worn across the body.
- Older women wore large bags: The caption for this picture talks about the Uggs that mother and daughter are wearing. I did see quite a few femmes in Uggs, although this Aussie boot was outnumbered by flat leather boots, riding boots, cowboy boots, and high-heel boots.
- Can short girls wear big handbags? Absolutely. Scroll down to see the girl in the leopard coat.
What Color Bag Is Trendiest?
I saw mostly black or brown leather bags. Black blended in with most women's outfits and, surprisingly, brown really popped when women wore this neutral color against an all-black ensemble. Quite a few ladies had red handbags. Some chose unique colors that showed how proud they were of their prize trophy bags.
- Yellow oversized bag: I love this.
- Blue Chloe bag on Emma Roberts: This photo shows the perfect French denim look for warmer weather.
- Large brown leather bag: I also saw quite a few totes that went under the arm like this.
Should Tourists on Vacation Bring Huge Purses?
There are some difficulties that you might have while traveling with a big bag.
- It’s a bit difficult getting through the Paris Metro turnstiles.
- Some museums won’t let you in with a large handbag.
On the other hand, a large purse is really practical in Paris, where the weather seems to change hourly. You can stash your coat in your purse when the sun comes out. You can also keep some fabulous ballet flats in reserve to help out your achy feet.
While traveling in Europe, the best option is to have a large bag of some kind and to keep a small cross-body bag inside of it. Then, keep your money in the small bag. That way, if you have to check your big purse to go into a small museum or if you want to set your monster bag down while on a train, you can keep your valuables close to you.
Shopping in Paris
If you can’t find the right handbag in the states, you can always pick one up at le Bon Marché in Paris. The larger cities in Italy also have beautiful leather goods. Remember that your handbag is your calling card when you are on the streets of Paris and you will be (somewhat) judged by your bag. However, if you have an ostentatious designer bag, keep your most important items in a money belt or your hotel’s safe.
More Info:
Best Website Maps for Getting Around Paris: Metro, Bus, RER Train
Women Over 40 & 50: Parisian women's Style is in the Details
Best Women's Purses and Handbags for Travel
Common French Phrases for Shopping in Paris
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
