These days, you’re hard-pressed to find a star without one or more showy handbags, with the exception of the red carpet. Even Kim Kardashian has been rotating through a series of solid-color neutral Hermes Birkin bags. Perhaps, with the exception of whatever Lady Gaga is wearing, stars just want to look like the rest of us.

But, big names back many of these “just like you” looks. Salma Hayek was spotted with an Yves Saint Laurent Cabas ChYc Tote, a black Birkin-like bag. High-end totes like this one appear to be an extension of the hobo from two years back, only more defined lines and black or brown replace the gaudy colors and shapeless frame.

House’s Olivia Wilde was seen carrying a brown leather messenger-like bag. Only, rather than some no-name variety, a Proenza Schouler PS1 was draped from the actress’ shoulder. Such a look combines the refined style of a high-end brand with casual appeal and all-purpose use.

Katherine Heigl, who sort of broke away from the romantic comedy confines recently with One for the Money, carried a Rebecca Minkoff Romeo Satchel a few weeks ago. While honey-brown and a handbag-tote hybrid, this satchel has a bit of flair. Instead of studs, however, the surface of the bag is textured.

This trend isn’t solely found in the borders of Hollywood. On the other side of the pond, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton was photographed by the British paparazzi with a Chloe Paraty Bag. Still with a moderate slouch look, the dark grey purse makes a distinct presence with its brass-colored hardware.

• Mad Men-Inspired. Yes, the cable television show is right on the cusp of its fifth season, and Banana Republic, just about a year ago, created an inspired line. Taking the trends a few steps up, designers from Dior to Gaultier to Chanel all hint at the ‘60s with their latest women’s wear. Pencil skirts are cinched at the waist, crinoline skirts fan out, and Chanel, apparently taking a cue from the recently canceled Pan-Am, previewed a collection of light blue and teal drop-waist dresses. Gaultier even appeared to use the late Amy Winehouse, who frequently alluded to the 1960s with her look and sound, as a muse.

• Barbarella-esque Jumpsuits. Call them rompers or jumpsuits, but, either way, these full-body outfits are no longer reminiscent of children’s clothing. Rather, skin tight and with an accented bustier, such a style is more grown up – but more futuristic than truly mature. A Barbarella remake has been kicked around in Hollywood for years, so perhaps this trend hints that the updated version of the Jane Fonda B-movie will finally hit the big screen. Then again, this trend could fall just as flat as the catsuits inspired by 1998 film The Avengers.

• Defined Shoulders. No, the shoulder pads of the 1980s have not returned. As a modified version of this trend, loose jackets with defined, broad shoulders were worn on top of tighter, shorter outfits or skirts, with Balenciaga draping each model with this combination. Appearing much like a men’s jacket, rather than the waist-accenting style for women, such a look may eventually be dubbed “the boyfriend jacket” – but don’t pair it with your boyfriend jeans from a few seasons ago.

• Bright Colors, Vivid Patterns. Pastels are so passé. Instead, spring and summer women’s wear leans toward vibrancy. Fully-colored yellow, lime, or gold outfits make a bold statement, while tropical-themed floral prints, which characterized the entire Dolce and Gabbana collection, catch the eye through bold shades and intricate composition.

• The Dandy Look. Wilde-esque, the overall style for menswear in fall 2012 is fitted: close at the waist, slim down the legs and over the torso, and angular at the shoulders. Combined with the physique-flattering fit are bright colors – many of which we saw in the spring 2012 collections. Solid reds, purples, and orange, all paired with solid black, create an air of distinction and boldness.

• Bomber jackets. Yet another throw-over from past seasons, the bomber jacket is turning into a men’s style staple. With pants and shirts emphasizing a man’s waist, a bomber jacket compliments the outfit with a similar fit.

• Blue by any other Name. What man doesn’t have a few blue shirts or suit jackets in his wardrobe? But, by next year, your standard sky blue and navy aren’t going to cut it. Boldness is the look, and cobalt and teal are the shades to go with it. It’s distinction without going too far beyond boundaries, brightness within your comfort zone.

• Military Style. This isn’t your 1990s camouflage. Beyond subtle epaulets, the cut and color for jackets and pants suggests mid-20th century military style. It’s order and precision merged with overt masculinity. In modern terms, however, it’s more Inglorious Bastards than Saving Private Ryan. Think long jackets with angular shoulders, pea coats, single-breasted jackets, and pants that stay tight around the ankles and flare out at the knees, all in black, olive green, or gray.

• Color blocking. It’s still a necessity and a short-cut for incorporating brighter colors in smaller doses into your wardrobe.

• Patterns and Texture. Beyond the paisley shirt of a few years ago, patterns now cover an entire trench coat. Texture, on the other hand, gives solid-color garments a new dimension. Each trend needs to stand on its own, however. For a pattern, make sure all other garments are solid neutral shades. Texture, such as studs and other jewel-like embellishments, stands out better when not competing with a pattern.

When working with MAC, Minaj came up with a Pink Friday lipstick, named after her debut album. The lipstick sold 3,000 in 15 minutes, and then sold another 27,000 in three weeks. More recently, the Times reported, Minaj is taking over for Lady Gaga as MAC’s Viva Glam spokeswoman. John Dempsey of MAC’s parent company Estee Lauder, said to the press:

“She was fun and cute. […] She’s funny, loves makeup and has a mashup style between Vivienne Westwood and a Harajuku girl.”

So, what do you think Nicki Minaj’s fashion line could look like? Making her own clothing but also sporting some high-end frocks, the rapper already has her own style, sometimes considered out there but always eye-catching. Could her line end up being practical, like Madonna’s Material Girl collection, or could it end up being like any artistic line on the runway – attractive but not practical for wear?

Color blocking surfaced last in the early 1990s. Trends tend to be recycled over 20 years, but in 2012, you don’t want to look like you stepped out of a ’92 Saved by the Bell episode. Essentially, this means staying away from neon and pastel shades. In 2012, color blocking is all about contrasts.

Beyond your ordinary two-color striped patterns, color blocking often incorporates more shades in uneven quantities. Additionally, no rounded edges are used. Instead, think of un-patterned material with angular shapes, each distinct from the next.

For women, color blocking is possible for nearly any wardrobe piece, from the dress to the handbag. The look of color blocking becomes the center of your outfit, so be sure to play down all pieces paired with it. If you want to keep it subtle, perhaps try a two-tone shirt or jacket, or introduce a few more colors. For handbags, it’s all about the multi-colored stripes and arrangement of rectangles. But if you want a look less eye-catching, opt for a handbag in which each part – body, pockets, and handle – is a different solid color.

Color blocking is possible for men, as well. Because bright colors and bold hues are predicted to be in for spring 2012, consider a few shirts or casual jackets with color blocking. But, don’t get too crazy with the colors. Go for contrasts with up to four shades on a garment.

Early in December, perpetual party girl Paris Hilton was spotted in Tom Ford butterfly sunglasses. Despite the fact that the heiress essentially made oversized frames trendy early in the aughts, she goes for a classic look here, with what appears to be black angular frames with gradient brown lenses.

Khloe Kardashian, another reality TV celeb, was seen with a similar pair of Tom Ford butterfly sunglasses. While Khloe is often considered the least attractive yet the most logical out of the older Kardashian sisters, her choice of butterfly sunglasses shows she knows her fashion. The geometric style – which is supposedly in for this upcoming spring – flatters her face shape.

Jennifer Lopez, who has seen her music career get back on track over the past year, was also spotted in a similar pair of Tom Ford butterfly sunglasses. Like Paris and Khloe, J. Lo’s use of them is casual, although the classic look is ideal for nearly any occasion.

Tom Ford, at least amongst the stars, seems to be the brand of choice for butterfly sunglasses, and the high-end brand has at least three options: Calgary Butte, which has a rounded shape, and FT0175 and Nico, both of which are more geometric. Although high-end, Tom Ford isn’t known for bright colors and glitter, so all sunglasses under the brand stick with a palette of black, brown, tortoise, or Havana, with solid or gradient lenses.

We saw the $39,000 Glazed Crocodile Backpack the Olsen twins did for The Row, and just two weeks ago, a red crocodile Hermes Birkin went for more than $200,000. Has the reptile look turned into an exclusive luxury-only item?

Since then, Reece Witherspoon was seen with such a handbag, the Chloe Python Shoulder Bag. While priced less than $4,000, it seems like a deal compared to the crocodile bags by The Row and Hermes, yet it’s far out of the price range for many.

Considering the stratospheric price range of these bags, should you even consider this a trend, or are reptile bags now relegated to the levels of – using an Occupy movement term – the one percent?

If you are truly considering this look, understand that such bags, when made with authentic materials, are in a higher price range than typical handbags. Crocodile, however, fetches considerably higher than python or snakeskin. But, that’s not to say you can’t have the look at all. Rather, be on the look for patent or genuine leather textured like reptile skin.

Because classic looks are now the fashion norm, stick with a color that will be practical for all occasions. Rather than opting for dyed purple, red, or orange, like the Legally Blonde actress’ bag, stick with black, brown, or a similar neutral shade.

Orange is a considerable contrast from last year, when the official “it” shade was nude — or, as Pantone referenced it from its catalog of 2,100 colors, “honeysuckle.” Yet, with this night-and-day contrast over 12 months, is it possible to incorporate orange into your wardrobe?

Tangerine Tango, a reddish shade of orange, begs to be seen and, because of its boldness, inevitably becomes the center of your outfit. As a result, only go with one orange piece, be it a jacket, handbag, sunglasses, or accessory. While some designers trotted out full orange suits, such as Marc Jacobs, at the most recent Fashion Week, such designs only work on the runway. In practical application, orange should be paired with a contrasting but non-clashing shade: white, blue, or black, preferably. Red or yellow is visually jarring when paired with yellow, while green or purple ends up resembling a Halloween costume color scheme.

Aside from clothing, orange is still prevalent in makeup and accessories. For the former, orange has already been spotted as lipstick, but make sure to keep the rest of the face neutral – and back off from tanning. Otherwise, your lips and skin may end up being the same shade. Handbag-wise, some designers went for fully orange, while others incorporated it with other colors. Because of its boldness, orange makes a handbag stand out, and a solid color will definitely make a statement. Color-blocking with two or more colors is additionally in style, and pairing orange with swaths of blue, white, or black ends up toning down its intensity.

The bidder paid $203,150 for the Hermes Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile 30cm Birkin Bag with Solid 18K White Gold and Diamond Hardware. The price is supposedly a world record for the highest price for a handbag sold at a public auction.

We’ve discussed that sales of luxury goods increase in times of economic distress, and Hermes is a prime example. Over the past few months, we have seen celebrities sporting these handbags, maybe more so than usual, and in Bing’s most-searched fashion brands of 2011, the top 10 were nearly all luxury designers, although Hermes didn’t make the list. Other high-end handbag brands, such as Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, did, however.

Just how much of a demand is there for Hermes goods? In the same week the brand sold a handbag for the price of a house, thieves in Houston, Texas, broke into the Hermes of Paris store to grab several purses, which were valued at $7,000, watches (priced at $50,000), and other expensive items.

The question is, even with this great demand, should fashion cost this much? With all the talk in the media of the one-percent versus the 99-percent in income and economic stability, the high price on such a handbag can be considered an indicator of such a wealth gap and an example of in-your-face flaunting the disparity in purchasing power. But, income gap or not, should a handbag be priced this high?

From left to right: Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Y-3, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Guess, J. Crew, John Galliano, Burberry

2. Ralph Lauren
3. Y-3
4. Louis Vuitton
5. Chanel
5. Guess
7. J.Crew
8. Coco Chanel
9. John Galliano
10. Burberry

Why do you think internet users searched these brands? Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel are somewhat self-explanatory. When it comes to showing off your designer goods, monogram handbags are the most eye-catching and essentially tell others “See what I can afford?” At the same time, counterfeiters, as well as manufacturers of designer-inspired handbags, aim often for the monogram look: it’s the most recognizable for a designer brand and, as a result, ends up bringing in more demand from consumers. Similarly, brands with a distinct style, such as Burberry’s tan, red, and black plaid, are also easily recognized.

On the other hand, how many average individuals on the street can picture the look of John Galliano’s fashion brand – his own and not Dior’s? Likely not many. Rather, Galliano predictably found his place on this list for his behavior – the anti-Semitic rant that caused him to be fired from Dior. Surprisingly, Dior did not make the list, even with its creative director given the boot and disastrous fall 2011 show at the spring Fashion Week.

What do you think of this list of top-searched fashion brands? Do you think it reflects current fashion trends, or is it too influenced by the media?