Studs Everywhere

Within the past few weeks, we have done a few posts about western-inspired handbag styles. Often, the world “western” with any type of clothing or accessory makes other think of cowboy and cowgirl fashions: western show shirts, cowboy boots, and ten-gallon hats. But with many trendy handbag styles seen on A-list celebrities, western style seems to be creeping in slightly, accenting handbag styles in subtle – and sometimes not-so-subtle ways. In the case of a recent handbag spotted on Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, the western fashion – studs, in this case – over powered the entire body of a large black leather handbag. Without the obscene amount of studs on this bag, it would simply be another oversized leather slouch purse. With the additional studs, it becomes a potential weapon if Meester whacks some passerby or paparazzi with it.

In terms of western fashion, this handbag takes it to the extreme. In previous posts, we have seen such western fashion-influenced handbags as snakeskin and alligator designs in natural colors and dyed unnatural colors like purple or blue. Aside from animal skin, other western influenced styles have been the addition of fringe to many leather or suede handbags and various studs. Studs, such as those seen on Meester’s handbag, are usually smaller and line only on edge or a section of the purse — not over the entire bag. In some cases, as western fashion is sometimes combined with bling, particularly smaller rhinestones, some western fashions go well with other pieces of metal or bling jewelry. For this handbag, however, the studs used – both on the silver one Meester’s holding and the black one in the picture – are nearly the size of conchos. While a concho here or there on a purse, hatband, or bolo tie is a slight silver addition to the outfit, too many is simply overpowering and excessive.