How to Master Chanel’s Bag-Matching Trend Off the Runway

March 10, 2015 bagsbybob New Arrival Handbags 0

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How to Master Chanel's Bag-Matching Trend Off the Runway

They say never to match your shoes to your handbag, but according to some of our favorite designers, matching your handbag to your dress is a styling must. With the matchy-matchy trend already taking over the red carpet, we weren’t altogether surprised to see some very well-coordinated ensembles coming down the runway at the Fall 2015 shows in New York, London, Milan, and now Paris. But this season, we’re not just talking about pairing a red dress with a red clutch for a monochromatic feel. No, no, no. This time around, it’s about exact matches in not just color but fabrication and texture, too.

Chanel was just the latest brand to showcase the look. From Marc Jacobs’s fur-and-houndstooth mashup to Burberry’s suede fringe set, and from Diane von Furstenberg’s rainbow-confetti printed wrap dress and top-handle bag to Victoria Beckham’s navy tweed trench dress and oversize envelope clutch, it seems designers are using every inch of fabric to create perfectly matched head-to-toe looks.

Read on for some runway inspiration and then check out these styling tips so you can try it out for yourself. Plus, we did some preliminary research on eight ready-to-buy matching sets to get you started.

Source: Getty / Neilson Barnard


Chanel Fall 2015
Chanel Fall 2015

How to channel this runway vibe yourself? There are two ways to try it. The easiest but often more expensive route is to buy both pieces from the same designer. You can be sure that the quilted Alexander Wang nylon dress will be the exact same as his duffel bags.

If you’re ready for a challenge, however, pick a statement dress (or bag), and then go on the hunt for its perfect match with a very keen Google search. Is your frock made of camel suede? Then that’s what you should look for in a handbag. Your priority is to pick two-pieces that look cut from the same cloth, literally, so you can’t be too picky — you may have to settle for a tote even if your heart was set on a crossbody.

Source: IMAXTREE / Matteo Volta/www.matteovolta.com

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Burgundy Suede
Burgundy Suede

Get the look:

  • Dress: H&M Wraparound Suede Dress ($349)
  • Handbag: Liebeskind Convertible Tote Bag ($295)

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Black-on-White Polka Dots
Black-on-White Polka Dots

Get the look:

  • Dress: Dolce & Gabbana Ruffled Polka Dot Dress ($1,374)
  • Handbag: Dolce & Gabbana Sicily Mini Polka-Dot Leather Bag ($2,145)

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Pink-on-Black Polka Dots
Pink-on-Black Polka Dots

Get the look:

  • Dress: Red Valentino Polka Dot Dress ($787)
  • Handbag: Kate Spade New York Bee Polka Dot Wristlet ($78)

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Chambray Denim
Chambray Denim

Get the look:

  • Dress: Vince Collarless Denim Dress ($404)
  • Handbag: Opening Ceremony Denim Izzy Backpack ($525)

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Embellished Tweed
Embellished Tweed

Get the look:

  • Dress: Alice + Olivia Pena Embellished Tweed Dress ($684)
  • Handbag: Papa Razzi Shoulder Bag ($105)

    • 24 / 27

Kaleidoscope Print
Kaleidoscope Print

Get the look:

  • Dress: Mara Hoffman Printed Stretch-Modal Jersey Maxi Dress ($240)
  • Handbag: Mara Hoffman Weekender Bag ($286)

    • 25 / 27

Quilted Leather
Quilted Leather

Get the look:

  • Dress: Walter by Baker Jeffrey Quilted Leather Dress ($598)
  • Handbag: Calvin Klein Quilted Luxe Lamb Crossbody ($158)

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Leopard Print
Leopard Print

Get the look:

  • Dress: ChicNova Sleeveless Waist Leopard Dress ($7)
  • Handbag: Diane von Furstenberg Mini Crossbody ($298)

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