We haven’t seen too many celebrities carrying around designer patchwork bags, although the labels, such as Coach, seem to think that combining several materials on one bag is the next big thing. Coach isn’t the only brand with such styles, and Louis Vuitton carries similar patchwork handbags, including a hobo style patchwork handbag seen on Jessica Simpson recently. The bag itself, as seen in the photograph or under the link is a standard patchwork style, with the traditional monogram leather Louis Vuitton material juxtaposed with textured animal print. Beyond that, this bag is simply a variation on the typical Louis Vuitton handbag, with the sharply contrasting leopard print popping out at the bottom.

Both Coach and Louis Vuitton have a few patchwork bags added to their lines, and, for both, the patchwork style is simply a variation on their basic monogram bags. From clutches or hobo handbags, each employs a variety of materials that are stitched together. While the monogram material is included, textured cloth, such as corduroy, suede or solid leather, animal prints, and basic patterned cloth are all part of a patchwork handbag. In some cases, for more sharper contrasts, patent leather may even be added.

If you can’t afford the hefty price tags associated with Coach and Louis Vuitton handbags, many designer inspired lines carry similar patchwork handbags. These combine the similar set of fabrics listed above, but the monogrammed material is designed to appear similar to – but not quite like – the designer brand’s style. Coach is imitated more often on these bags, especially with a sans-serif C design that doesn’t quite look like Coach’s and not quite like Chanel’s. Aside from this style, other designer inspired patchwork bags are cloth only. These cloth handbags use a set of fabrics with varied patterns, such as the pinks, camouflage, and cross pattern seen on the bag under the link.

The formula for celebrity fragrances is this: Attach the name of a celebrity to a bland or overly sweet fragrance and the bottle will sell quickly for a short period of time. Not all celebrity fragrances can be Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds, and most stay on the shelves for a few years and then disappear. But, although we mentioned that celebrity fragrance sales are down – and many won’t buy a perfume with a less-than-desirable celebrity name attached – fragrance companies still churn them out. Avon, for example, put out celebrity fragrances by Reese Witherspoon and Patrick Dempsey this past year, while 50 Cent, with an album that no one noticed, came out with his first fragrance.

The latest list of celebrity and non-celebrity fragrances can be read here.

With 50 Cent, when your album doesn’t do well, you create a fragrance to make up for the copies no one bought. While Before I Self Destruct has yet to even go gold, the fragrance released around the same time called Power has a combination of musk, spices, patchouli, and woods. Most men’s colognes focus on one of these fragrance types but, as we’ve seen with celebrity fragrances before, they attempt to smell like multiple types and don’t really go anywhere. While 50 Cent says this smells like “success,” the sales of the cologne have yet to live up to that notion.

Similarly, rapper Nelly has released a fragrance to accompany his Apple Bottoms clothing line. This scent, at least by the description, appears more focused as a women’s perfume. The main notes appear to be floral with some fruit hints. The good news is, while apple blossoms do appear in the mix, the perfume isn’t scented like apples, and the upper notes of citrus, peony, and rose and offset by sandalwood and musk.

Similarly, other B and C-list performers like Faith Hill, Jennifer Lopez, and Pamela Anderson have all released fragrances – debuts or new to their line – this past year.

The Grey’s Anatomy star was seen recently with an animal print handbag, More specifically, the animal print is leopard, and one that looks more natural, too. Although Halle Berry was seen recently with a clutch of a similar print, the brand behind Heigl’s handbag is Gucci, a brand sometimes known for monogram styles. Patent leather has been an “it” material for handbags over the past year or so, and Heigl’s bag seems to have this look. If not actual patent leather, the material is shiny enough that it appears similar. Additionally, this bag takes the hobo look and attaches it to a shoulder strap, which has been a rarity for such handbags.

While it appears that the python look from this past summer is past us (at least for now), other animals prints are still popular. We’ve seen leopard and cow prints on celebrities recently, as well as cheetah prints and zebra stripes. With Hermes Birkin bags still a celebrity mainstay, even crocodile skin is still here for now. But, as animal prints or skins stay in popularity, what’s the average consumer to do for such a handbag?

The main solution, if you can’t afford a designer handbag, has been to go down the designer inspired route. Many retailers or wholesalers of designer inspired bags stock up on the latest trends and, over the past year, this has been various animal and reptile prints from cow hide to colored snake skin. At Best Handbag Wholesale, such animal print handbags are part of the product selection, and this includes leopard spots and zebra stripes – sometimes even on the same purse. As patchwork styles are another trend this season, animal print patchwork handbags and wallets combine two popular styles for handbags and wallets that are en vogue but affordable.

Rhinestones on sunglasses are nothing new and this trend has been around for nearly a decade. But when does a pair of sunglasses simply transcend the simple rhinestones design and become all-out bling? Recently, Kanye West protégé Kid Sister was spotted wearing such a pair of iced out sunglasses by A-morir. The sunglasses, a clear shield style, are encrusted with rhinestones and spikes around the edges. While you might not want to get physically close to someone wearing such sunglasses, having bling on your sunglasses beyond a few rhinestones isn’t exclusive to A-morir. In fact, other designers have been adding rhinestones to their styles, as well, with some more subtle than others.

Valentino is one such designer brand, and these iced out shades include many small rhinestones on the side of the glasses. While Vision in Style carries discounted versions of these bling sunglasses. These particular shades by Valentino, which appeared on the market in 2008, have a shield style as well, but the rhinestones are toned down compared to the shades worn by Kid Sister. These sunglasses are designed with a rose pattern on the side and this rose is outlined in small rhinestones which stand out against the black color of the frame and lenses.

Having detail on the side isn’t exclusive to Valentino sunglasses, however. Brands like Juicy Couture have side detail, often in metal or rhinestones on a pair of shield or oversized sunglasses. While the larger or thicker frames allow for such detail, these are often an enlarged logo for the brand. While this is common for women’s sunglasses, some men’s styles, such as those by Hugo Boss, are designed similarly, as well. Although a much more basic style, these side details on a pair of men’s sunglasses are still added to display the brand.

Is there a product that isn’t endorsed by celebrities? From the top brands to Payless Shoes and Walmart, nearly every product for fashion has some sort of celebrity model or spokesperson. This, as well, applies to watches. A website lists celebrities who’ve endorsed various watches by name brand makers. The website lists celebrities, along with their respective print advertisements, who’ve been featured in ads for watch brands. While many of them are no longer A-list celebrities (would Kim Basinger or Meg Ryan sell a wrist watch today?), it shows how, over time, wrist watch brands have been endorsed by various actors, musicians, or athletes.

All of the watches pictured on the linked website above are wrist watches. Some, especially those seen on athletes, are sports watches. But, regardless, all are metal link or leather band wrist watches with a basic watch face. With the exception of a few with pink or slim wrist bands or rhinestone-encrusted watch faces, most of these endorsed watches could go either way with men or women. With celebrity endorsement, however, the watches seem directly geared toward one sex or the other. Or, on another level, a different lifestyle: glamorous or fabulous when seen on an Oscar winner or strong and powerful when seen on an athlete, even if the athlete is a race car driver.

But, as many of the advertisements appear to be from the ‘90s, many more watch styles are on the market these days. One popular style, especially for women, has been cuff watches. Cuff watches are shaped like bracelets and fit around the wrist. Similarly, bangle watches, also known as watch bracelets, are looser but still look and feel like bracelets. All have a watch face of some sort attached. For wrist watches that look like those on celebrities or cuff watches for women, various wholesale dealers, such as Time World, USA, carry similar lines of fashion watches.

Over the past year, many celebrities have been sporting the wayfarer look, including Lindsay Lohan in last week’s post. While this trend is a direct throwback to the ‘80s, nearly everyone in Hollywood has been spotted with a pair of wayfarers at some point, and this includes standard black-on-black sunglasses and styles that are more outrageous. More appropriately, they are unabashedly ‘80s or early ‘90s (take your pick for the tackiest period in fashion). As seen by Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes, on the left, these sunglasses often incorporate bright shades, even neon yellow or green. In general, these styles are made by Ray Ban, but other designers looking to bring back their classic styles and update them a bit are also going along with this trend.

What style do you go for when choosing to wear wayfarers? As with all sunglasses, wayfarers have more low key looks, while others are deliberately bright and tacky. For something low key, Ray Ban and other designers stick with the classic black-on-black look and also use tortoise frames and black lenses. But if you’re looking to be more adventurous, a range of colored frames and lenses are available. When you go to a website like Vision In Style, you’ll find that Ray Ban wayfarer sunglasses in the classic style can be customized in colors like purple, red, or pink. These can have light colored lenses to match or they can be designed with darker colored lenses.

Wayfarer sunglasses are, essentially, the equivalent of Converse sneakers for the eyes: Take a basic template that looks good in either sex and jazz it up in a number of ways. Converse has experimented with nearly every color of the rainbow for their high top sneakers, as well as a number of patterns, while Ray Ban, in particular, goes through many colors for frames and, with the recent trend, pairs them with either a light or dark lens. Who knew such a basic pair of sunglasses could have so much variation?

No, Lindsay Lohan didn’t get her ears pierced in some bizarre rivet-head style. Instead, she was out seen with a studded leather handbag. As we’ve seen on here, many studded handbags from this past summer involved rounded or “bullet” studs. Lohan’s bag, a large black hobo one, is lined with pyramid studs. While pyramid or triangular studs have been reserved for the punk and Goth looks for a number of years, they’re now being seen on handbags. Lohan’s bag appears to have more of a messenger style than hobo, but the triangular studs line the sides and top of the bag in three rows.

Lohan’s look indicates that studded handbags are moving more in the rocker chic direction than western. Although studs fall under western styles, especially when seen on leather or denim jackets, this mostly applies to rounded or flat studs. As pyramid studs have been associated with the punk look since it first appeared on the scene – and haven’t been seen anywhere else, really – a bag such as the one that Lohan’s carrying has a distinct punk look, even if the three rows of pyramid studs are orderly.

But punk and grunge looks are coming back. Although the two styles are essentially ten years apart – more if you consider punk’s origins in the ‘70s – the rocker chic look is associated with both. From flannel to studded handbags, the hottest and most trendy clothing out now is something a groupie would’ve worn to a Nirvana show circa 1992 or a Sex Pistols concert in the late ‘70s. But, for an updated look, none of the clothing, such as Lohan’s handbag, looks like you did it yourself. Instead, you paid a large sum for some designer to stud your leather purse, rip your jeans, and throw a flannel shirt on a mannequin. While this might delve into the ridiculousness of grunge fashions sold at high end retailers 15 years ago, many who can’t spend the cash – we are in a recession, after all – might go back to the DIY grunge roots and create a look à la Rayanne Graff from My So Called Life.

As we go through any trends of this season, as well as upcoming ones, we’ve seen how the use of leather has changed. No more is it simply just a default black backdrop but, much like the desktop on your computer, it can be customized it any number of ways. After seeing studs, patchwork, and bold colors, in addition to western embellishments, metallic appearances are in, as well. Beyonce recently was sporting this look in South Korea with a metallic silver handbag. Appropriately, the bag has a hobo style and is a solid metallic color. While metallic leather has been seen before in other aspects of fashion (remember metallic Airwalk sneakers?), handbags have been going for the bold look recently, so adding gem and metallic shades to the palette of fashionable shades for a purse only seems inevitable.

While Beyonce’s bag is by Botkier Noa, affordable versions can be found through discount retailers. Best Handbag Wholesale, for example, carries a similar purse with a metallic copper sheen. This metallic handbag by BHW has a dark gold or copper appearance and is designed with a hobo style. The bag has a flap that closes over top, as well as medium-length handles that allow the bag to be worn over the shoulder or carried. In addition, this bag by BHW combines two trends seen this season: metallic leather and crocodile print. The leatherette of the bag, as seen in the link above, is printed with a subtle crocodile pattern.

What handbag trends haven’t we seen this season? As handbags are often the center of many women’s outfits, why go for something subtle? In true ‘80s fashion, bigger and bolder is better, and, as a result, a large and bold handbag, such as these metallic handbags or any studded, snakeskin, or patchwork design, should accompany your outfit.

If you’re wondering when questionable ‘80s fashions will eventually get off the racks, don’t be prepared for it any time soon. As with clothing, handbags are also receiving the 1980s treatment. Studs, animal print, and bright colors aside, another ‘80s style making its way onto leather handbags has been large bows. Although these have been seen on belts for the past year, O.C. actress Rachel Bilson was seen recently with such an ’80s inspired handbag. Combining two questionable trends, Bilson’s leather purse has a large leather bow on top with studs. Now, back in the ‘80s, this would’ve called for knotting up a standard leather purse with a large bow and piercing the surface with one of those do-it-yourself rhinestone kits – or else you could’ve purchased a similar designer handbag. And, the former is what exactly Bilson’s handbag looks like, except it costs about 50 times more. Now only if she had the do-it-yourself studded denim jacket to match – or maybe not.

Perhaps this trend will lead designers to start designing their shirts, jackets, and handbags with puff paint-like materials and even more rhinestones, but hopefully not, as most people probably don’t want to look like they stepped out of a late ‘80s teen movie like Dream a Little Dream or a show like Saved by the Bell. Studs and big bows might have looked appropriate for teenagers at the time, such as Meredith Salenger or Tiffani Thiessen on or off the set, but the look doesn’t really seem to translate well for adult fashion in 2009.

At the moment, even with studs, big bows, and acid wash making a comeback, the look seems too childish for adults. Think of it this way, while Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell looked good in the fashions at the time, would she still look appropriate wearing the same style of clothing in her 30s? In fact, going back to the Saved by the Bell comparison, the character even changed her look by the time Saved by the Bell: the College Years was on the air. So, in the present, who should be wearing this retro ‘80s look? Teens, probably and appropriately. Adults? Find something less gaudy, unless you happen to find yourself in Hollywood.

A few weeks ago, Lily Allen was spotted with the same style of purse, but then again, Allen is the new celebrity face of Chanel. Now, more recently, ‘90s slasher film actress Rebecca Gayheart has been seen with a similar style leather quilted bubble handbag, although this time in a much more subdued color. Although this style has gone under the radar this season, especially compared to snakeskin and studs, it’s a trend that can be seen on racks for designer and more affordable brands.

Quilted handbags are nothing new, as trends over the past few years have included the patchwork look which, while not technically quilted, resembles the appearance of a quilt. The quilted appearance, now somewhat updated, includes a solid color bag made from quilted leather. The attached strap is usually a metal, either gold or silver, in a chain like style. So far, the top brand to be sporting this type of look has been Chanel, although more affordable brands and wholesale bag retailers like Best Handbag Wholesale carry similar style quilted handbags.

Leather over the past season has been an experimental material for handbags. Right now, it appears that the basic black handbag is out, or has gone on hiatus, for both the average consumer and celebrity set. Instead, the leather is embellished in some sense. For celebrities, this often means adding some texture to basic black leather, and studs on a black leather bag has been one popular look for this variation. Another option has been to add fringe or a hair-like material, such as pony hair, to the bag in the same color. Patent leather has been another textural and visual change to the typically matte leather and suede handbags. For the average consumer, texture has also been in the form of snakeskin and crocodile, or alligator, skin prints on leather or leatherette material.