When it comes to fashion, people look to the stars for guidance: judging from the looks of the fun, colorful, shapely handbags on the arms of celebrities this season, handbags are the accessories to be emphasized.
"I am not a huge spender on clothes, but I spend a lot on bags," said Leah Paszkiewicz, sophomore marketing major.
While the amount of money one considers "a lot" is relative, it might be safe to say that the average college student might not find herself on the waiting list for a Birkin bag any time soon. Birkins, made by the Hermes corporation, a company that specializes in high-end retail, are sold for prices ranging into the tens of thousands.
While there are many brand-obsessed femmes for whom an outfit isn't an outfit without Louis Vuitton on their arm, others are interested in getting the look for less.
Peggy Mark, an employee at Kauffmann's in the Boulevard Mall, said she has 22 years of experience in retail and an eye for the trends that suit the average shoppers. Mark predicts this summer's hit handbags to be those inspired by high-end designs.
"College students like Coach bags, Dooney & Bourke and other bags, "she said. "XOXO is another choice. It is a great Louis Vuitton knockoff. People who can't afford an LV bag would go for this."
Ann Marie Adornato, a senior biological science major, said she doesn't see why she should spend more than is necessary for a stylish look.
"I think my bag is stylish and it is not too expensive. It looks just like the Louis Vuitton one," she said of her colorful Dooney and Bourke signature bag.
While Louis Vuitton's signature bag and similar signature designs by other companies seem to have emerged as contenders for the must-have handbags of the season, a playful bag design has made its way into the spring spotlight.
"I recommend the Jelly bags for the summer," said Mark, "it is the newest - so colorful and different."
The earlier version of Jelly bags looks very similar to Kelly style bags that are made by Hermes, except Jelly bags are made of rubber instead of leather. Jelly Kelly bags, the initial retailer of authentic jelly bags, are imported from Italy to high-end retail stores like Henri Bended, Saks, and Neiman Marcus.
Jelly, the rubber material of which the bags are made, and Kelly, the design of the bag, come together to give the bag its recognizable name. According to the Jelly Kelly Web site at jellykelly.net, the cost of Jelly Kelly bags range from $150 for the "small size" to $225 for the large size. Standard size is $150, with prices of other styles like the "doctor bag" and the "tote" varying in between.
While the style of the Jelly Kelly bags makes them very similar to the Kelly bags made by Hermes and seen on the arms of celebrities like Madonna, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, the price range make the Jelly Kellies a much more practical version for college student.
"Why would you spend $10,000 on a Hermes when you can buy a Jelly Kelly with a few hundred or less?" asked Adornato.
For some, the price is no option when it comes to emulating celebrity fashion.
"I just love brand-name bags. If I think something is cute, I will get it. I saw this bag on Jessica Simpson in the first place, and my mom got it for me," said Paszkiewicz of her Louis Vuitton new Multicolore collection monogram handbag.
While the growing number of metrosexuals contributes to the evolving perception of men as more fashion conscious, some men still consider women's obsession with expensive handbags something close to hysteria.
Tetsuya Maruyama, a sophomore architecture student, he notices the logo-loving ladies and the pride with which they carry their handbags, but he prefers to stick to the bottom line.
"I would (take) design and color into consideration, but the cheaper, the better," he said "I don't like expensive stuff."
