Despite doctor’s health warnings, bag lovers and consumers still love their bags big. Personally, I even feel a petite girl with a big tote looks so amazing. This trend is lasting, folks.

Here are the numbers on our poll:

Are Huge Bags In?
o In!: 57% (34)
o Out!: 20% (12)
o Not into them, more like I could FIT INTO them!: 23% (14)

Total Votes : 60

And here are some of the comments we’ve received:

I love both tiny and huge bags. I will not be giving up giant bags any time soon! I am very careful about overloading them, though. I like to be able to find what I have, so I always edit, edit, edit to the bare minimum. If I don’t carefully observe this rule I DO end up with neck and shoulder pain. Also, when I’m thinking about buying a bag I pay attention to how heavy it is empty. If it’s too heavy on its own I just won’t buy it - unless it’s to die for fabulous, of course. I love my giant bags!

I love huge hand bags. I just simply alternate from side to side to even it all out!

As for what I think? I love being able to carry everything I need. I even use a Paddington often, although not always with the padlock. I love the way it looks, too, even on a tiny girl! Viva la large bag!

It’s becoming clear to me that designers want models skinny, but only to look fat in the end. Well, whether they intend for the models to look frumpy, it is the result. We all know models are “supposed” to be thin because the clothes just hang on—well those human clothes-hangers. And then when we have thin models, the outcome is that skinny’s hot, and once skinny’s hot, big is out.

BUT designers do. not. care. if the models are hot. Just look at the frowning faces most of the time - not too cute (I think). Really, the clothes hanger look makes the models appear to be in tents. This isn’t flattering, and you know what - stupid designers - the clothes don’t look good! Also - the models look kind of fat. Exactly HOW does this fly?!

It’s odd and confusing, but true. Just take this scrap-page image I put together with 99% help from Net-a-Porter.

What do you think? How exactly are we managing to stay on one side of the line between promoting skinniness and these models clearly imitating a larger body? I want my clothes to flatter and wrap with womanly flair around beautiful bodies. Anyone else?

If you want frequent updates on the fight against skinny models, visit The Runway Scoop.

A news article on Yahoo! is causing a buzz in the bag-loving community. It claims that those currently big in the trend department, and big in the size and weight department, large bags should be used with caution - for they can cause aches and pains if overused (and overloaded).

“I see so many women with neck pains and headaches and what I usually do is look for their purse and pick it up,” said Jane Sadler, a family practice physician on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center in Garland, Texas.

“We take it over to the scale and weigh it and usually they’re anywhere from 7 to 10 pounds (3.1-4.5 kgs)…We’re really going to see women with more and more problems later on if we continue the big purse craze.”

So now are huge purses “out”?

Above all, [William Case, a physical therapist in private practice in Houston, Texas] recommended correct posture while carrying bulky purses, keeping the head and shoulders aligned upright. Patients should also frequently change the size and weight of purses carried.

Professor Alan Hedge, an ergonomics specialist at Cornell University in New York state, said similar health problems arose when laptops were first introduced.

Traditionally women adopted better postures for carrying loads, such as baskets on heads or strapping a papoose across the back, but placing objects on one shoulder was one of the least efficient ways of carrying a load.

“If it (a big bag) is a fashion accessory, then occasional and symbolic use is fine. If not, then keep it light.”

The poll we have running to the left reads that our visitors still love their bags big. Willing to reconsider? I’m not, but I suggest anyone with neck or back pains to take some advice from this article.

For a humorous approach to this piece, check out Pursed Lips.

Marc Jacobs photo source: Style.com

You voted against pom-pom hats in our last poll (new one’s on “huge” bags), but might any of the nay-sayers be pleased with a subtler variation?

This is a hat I bought from Tristan & America (70% acrylic, 30% wool & about $20). The pom-poms are small, laid out across the base, and have a completely different look. I actually love the idea of pom-poms very much, always have, and this look is just grown-up enough for the me I am today.

So what do you think - any budging?

If you like this hat or want to check anything else the store has to offer (great store, mostly pricey and very nice) you’ll actually have to take a trip to either NYC or Boston, MA. But if you would just like to purchase this item (and maybe a matching scarf), I’d call one of the numbers at the locations below!

New York
Tristan
Rockefeller Center
1230, Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
10020
Tel.: (212) 246-2354

Boston
Tristan
Burlington Mall
75, Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington, MA
01803
Tel.: (781) 272-2540

Here are Kiss Me, Stace’s fashion predictions for early 2007.

1. Black and white will remain from winter through Spring, for the new season in light fabrics and airy shapes. Watch for stripes in different variations and lots lots lots of black/white floral.
2. Light and airy will be true with volume being played by consumers this time, and not just designers. After last year’s success with the bubble skirt, fashionistas will take that piece and go on with ball-appropriate knee length dresses, loose shirt dresses, and full 50s skirts.
3. Float-away blazers and light sweaters.
4. Watch for women playing with sheer pieces, especially tops. Hopefully it will all be done tastefully and with some art.
5. Lace!
6. Menswear trousers and for the mild; trouser jeans.
7. Silk dresses.
8. Grey, white, black, pink, yellow, orange (darker, more muted is better), navy, teal, slate, red, silver …

(Looks by Chloé, Balenciaga x 2, BCBG, Chanel bag, [and I believe:] Marc Jacobs shoes & Jill Sander shoes.)

Accessories:

1. Patent, patent, patent, patent, patent leather!
2. BIG bags, naturally. It might peak this Spring though (especially with Chanel’s Coco Cabas bag).
3. Big sunglasses? Still in. God, stay in!
4. Chain necklaces, ribbons and pearls done in a modern, hip way.
5. Louboutin bags will debut in a huge way.
6. The ridiculous price increases won’t stop, and absolutely will not stop until consumers (and actually consumers’ wallets) protest in a meaningful way (taking away $$$). Will that happen in 2007? Unlikely.

Shoes:

1. More peep toes.
2. Hopefully closed-toe wedge flats.
3. Ankle straps.
4. Patent leather, of course. Done in a strictly grown-up style, this time.
5. Basic black or colored flats, think Audrey Hepburn shape.
6. Comfort’s coming back people - I feel it. But I think this time comfort will put in effort to become stylish and perhaps vice versa - you won’t have to hunt so hard, hopefully.

Final note: The fight against anorexia in fashion (or however you want to view it) will continue. 2007 will be a great year for the acceptance movement. Bring it on!

*** This list was compiled by both my feelers and web/blog research. Big thanks to a great post on Aesthetics + Economics (especially for some photos).

It’s the first Saturday Sale of 2007! Shop happy until midnight, you little Cinderellas!

To get you started, here’s a pretty by Nina.