Top handbag designers like Gucci, Longchamp, Etro and Louis Vuitton have brought back the miniature dressy backpack as the new “it” handbag. You know what that means. Give it a season and we’ll start to see the look filtering down to mainstream retail.

I remember when dressy backpacks were all the rage in the 90’s. The much coveted black nylon Prada mini backpack was copied and available everywhere. They were advertised as being “comfortable and practical”, but for me they were neither. I didn’t enjoy being strapped into the backpack and found it annoyingly inconvenient to retrieve its contents.

But horses for courses. If you enjoyed the style of a dressy backpack in the 90’s, you’re in for a treat. Watch as they filter back into fashion.

Remember these backpacks from way back when? I wonder which other 90’s trends we should expect to make a comeback.

I love the look of a lass in a fabulous hat, but you might need to persevere if you aren’t one of those people who looks naturally good in headgear. The shape of a hat alters the size of your head and face in relation to the rest of your body, which can make it tricky. It’s a question of trying on several styles to see which works. Berets, newsboys, cabbies, cloches, buckets, caps, fedoras and beanies, there’s a look for everyone if the proportions, fabrication, style and colour are spot on.

I like it best when there is hair peaking though from underneath the hat. Lasses with long hair wear hats particularly well and I think it’s because the abundance of hair adds balance, softness and interest to the look. I look awful in most hats because I have a small head and very short hair. Hats seem to overwhelm my facial features. But this does not prevent me from wearing one when it’s freezing cold. Hats, like scarves and gloves, keep you wonderfully warm. I’ll happily forego a little aesthetic for extra warmth.

I hope you’re wearing hats if you look great in headgear. They make a superb statement and can become part of your signature look. It doesn’t need to be freezing in order to wear them either. Often in Europe, people gravitate towards hats and scarves before a Winter coat.

A few of my favourite hat styles: beret, knitted cap, slouchy cabbie, fitted cabbie, newsboy and cloche. Hats are such a fun accessory. If I looked good in a hat (and my hair behaved after wearing one), I’d be all over the look.

Eighties superhero-style latex leggings are once again a fashion statement. I’ve seen them in all the colours and can scarcely believe they’ve made a comeback.

I saw two relatively young fashion industry professionals wearing the black ones a couple of months ago. They incorporated their glossy vinyls into an uber-tailored, sophisticated, daytime work look. Wearing impeccable jackets, fabulous blouses and killer heels with their second skins, they just about got away with it.

So what’s the verdict on the slick sheen, ladies. Are they stove-piping hot – or not?

I’m pretty sure latex leggings are a fad. I’ll eat my words if we see them again next season. Time will tell.

Australian Envirosax makes my favourite eco-friendly shopping bag at the moment. It’s attractive, compact, portable and lightweight. It’s made of a durable waterproof polyester, holds up to 44 lbs and rolls up into an impressively small 1.4 oz package. You‘ll hardly notice its presence in your handbag.

Spread the environmental message with style with reusable eco-chic shopping bags. For $8.50, or $37.95 for a series of five, they make great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts and items to put into gift packages you’re sending abroad.

The envirosac is offered in a variety of design options and colours for both adults and children. I like the graphic monochromatic series and stocked up on these over the weekend. If these particular eco friendly shopping bags don’t tickle your fancy, there are plenty of others to choose from.