Bags are showing up in bright candy colors for spring, some as day-glow as children’s gumballs. Major designers are trading in their dark winter shades for look-at-me hues.
Candy Totes
One brand that has gotten into the neon spirit is Dooney& Burke. Usually known for bags in their signature print and neutral colors, such as navy or black, this spring they’re showing patent leather hobo tote bags in bubblegum pink, aqua, mint, lemon and purple ($295).
Another designer embracing bright bags is Marc Jacobs. His Marc by Marc Jacobs hobo bags are available in electric green, electric blue or electric violet. These hobo bags are mock crocodile and are being sold exclusively at Nordstrom’s department stores. At $278 each, slightly less expensive versions of the same look can be found in two versions of a signature wallet ($178-$198).
Subdued Brights
Those that prefer their brights a little less saturated may be interested in the $198 Abas envelope clutch. The colors are vivid — pink, green, lavender and yellow — but because the leather is python-embossed, the colors aren’t quite so shocking.
Splurge Items
Other splurge-worthy bag options include the Coach “Op Art Sabrina” tote, a melon-colored (though seems to resemble candy pink) sateen and leather bag with large Cs on part of its body. The $350 Juicy Couture leather satchel is even more can’t-miss-me in a very noticeable green hue.
Pink fans can drool over Cole Haan’s new leather tote ($498) or find a more affordable bubblegum option in B. Makowsky’s leather envelope bag ($198).
What to Wear
Bright bags are often shown in magazines with equally loud clothing hues or prints, which can sometimes be pulled off, but often the easiest way to use a neon tote is to pair it with a more neutral outfit. Spring isn’t necessarily the time to go all-black, but a great, easy look is a pair of white pants and a one-color shirt or cardigan. Very chic!
When to Splurge
Many of the bags listed in this article are on the expensive side, and it isn’t worth breaking a budget jiust to acquire this season’s trend. If a bright bag is something that will be used for longer than Spring, the investment may be worth it, especially if the bag is made of good quality leather.
But if this is going to be a one-season trend, there are many less expensive versions that can be found in “teen stores” or bargain stores. A cheaper bag can look expensive if it’s on the plainer side — the less hardware and embellishments, the more luxe it’ll appear.