CARESS BAGS
A clutch in name is a clutch in nature, but for spring, bags will be less clutched, more caressed. A clawed death grip is no fate for Mulberry’s (the British label showed in Paris this season) petrol blue and red striped pouch, or the evening options – blush pink, black or bright green, all studded with jewels. Balenciaga’s were equally embellished, this time in a band that covered the fingers: instant jewellery. Since “caressing” requires a free hand, that means no more texting as you walk – which in our opinion, can only be a good thing. At Lacoste, chain straps were decorative only; Dries Van Noten’s bags were held close to the body, flush to the hip; and at Céline, soft leather pouches were tucked firmly under one arm, for women that mean business- but stylishly so.