Don't get carried away but bags are still 'it'

There's been a lot of talk about the end of the 'it' bag: the crazy phenomenon that drove many, regardless of gender, age or economic status, to spend a whole month's salary on the latest, newest must-have bags, only to replace them a season later with yet another bunch of the latest, newest must-have bags.

It was a cycle that seemed to have no finishing line as brands kept producing new styles or reincarnating their best-sellers in new materials, sizes or colours, or by adding hardware. There was also the marketing genius of the 'limited edition' piece, a catchphrase that seemed to bait every fashion fanatic hook, line and sinker.

Then the craze for bags ended, leaving those who had spent thousands of dollars on 'it' bags with closets stockpiled with satchels, duffels, hobos, totes and cross-body bags. Pieces that were once so shiny and new are now left collecting dust and mould. What used to be symbols of being 'in the know' became a sort of anachronism of a buy-it-all, got-to-have-it-now culture. So, many have declared the demise of the status bag.

But is the wave of the 'it' bag really over? Has the tsunami come and gone and, in its wake, are people questioning their heady purchases? Judging from the spring 2011 men's collections, it seems that the bag is not ready to relinquish its throne as a key accessory just yet.

When Louis Vuitton presented its 54 men's runway looks, more than half - 28 to be exact - were paired with a bag. Most are variations on a denim theme, including a travel tote (2) with a Louis Vuitton Articles de Voyage imprint (HK$26,700) and a satchel with a shoulder strap bearing the Louis Vuitton monogram (HK$12,200).

The two shapes at Louis Vuitton are echoed throughout most of the men's collections, such as D&G's, where models carry canvas totes as beach bags and picnic baskets filled to the brim with colourful beach towels and baguettes. Tod's explores a nautical theme with its waterproof tote (3) in classic sailing blue and white stripes. It is also available in other colour combinations such as red and white, brown and black, and navy and grey at HK$8,000 each.