"Bone" handbags: fab or old-lady?

April

I saw "bone" colored bags somewhere in a list of current handbag trends. I always think of bone as a color that can easily look little-old-lady-ish -- is this true or just a ridiculous idea I have because my Gram favored this color bag?

15 years ago

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from April

taylor

Veteran

April, You could only look chic and sophisticated with a bone bag (or anything else)...just get a current style:)

15 years ago

Anonymous

I don't think the color is dated if you like it.
I still love a milky white bag, or trim on the house, or anything white, I like milky white. I think bone has more grey in it, don't you?
I agree with Taylor, the style of the bag would be current.

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Okay, here is where I demonstrate my potential for little-old-ladyhood...

I must admit I don't know what is current in bag styles. I tend to stick with non-blingy bags, and I won't carry a bag with a designer's emblem or logo on the outside, but beyond that, not sure my judgment can be trusted.

For example, I thought this bag was very elegant: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/.....ctionsize=

And then I thought, "Bone? Isn't that what my grandma carried?"

(Taylor and San, I loved my grandma dearly but her style was not what you would call fab. More like the Queen Mother.)

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I've got a bone coloured patent one and i love it x

15 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

I love that bag. I think it is very stylish.

15 years ago

marianna

Veteran

I really think it depends on the style of the bag. If you have a modern, contemporary handbag in bone, it can look fab. If you have an outdated handbag in bone, it could look elderly.

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Marianna, you're overestimating my ability to distinguish between a "modern, contemporary handbag" and a dated one. Really. Got any examples?

15 years ago

Ele

(website)

Active Member

I think the Queen Mum was totally fab! (LOL what is wrong with me?!)

Personally, I love bone- it's much more "me" than white or cream. A girl I used to work with had a bone leather Marc Jacobs which I totally coveted, and she was in no way old or old-looking!

To avoid the "old-lady" vibe that bone can admittedly sometimes give off, I'd stay away from anything too structured in style. Slouchy styles, or those with fun details like bows and ruffles are likely to look younger.

15 years ago

Dashrashi

Veteran

Agree with Ele that slouchiness/lack of structure is a good indicator of non-old-lady-ness. I think you're looking for a really soft leather, too. (Although patent could probably work). Other things that might keep it young, besides the feminine details Ele mentioned, would be other kinds of detailing like sporty (e.g. perforated leather or a single stripe) or harder-edged (studs, grommets, zipper detailing, etc.).

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Ah, specifics: soft leather, slouchy styles, and maybe some metal detailing. Thank you. (And tee hee about the Queen Mum, Ele. Fab in her own way, but I doubt you'd be borrowing her bags. Or her hats.)

Do you think the one I linked to fits the bill? It's certainly not edgy, but I think it does look soft and luscious: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/.....ctionsize=

Louise -- can you post a photo of your fab bone patent bag?

Debbie -- thank you for helping me feel more confident in my attraction to this bag.

15 years ago

agrace

Active Member

Endlessly fab! I love them. My *only* problem with them is that once they get dirty there is not much you can do. I took my beloved Banana bone colored hobo from '06 in to a cobbler repair shop and he said there really is nothing you can do once they get stained with denim and all other manner of stains. So they are high maintenance but I think they are worth it. I got three good years out of mine and with more caution, could have had it last longer.

I will always love a bone colored purse, if you are thinking about it go for it. To me they are sophisticated and classy.

15 years ago

marianna

Veteran

April,

Something like this is contemporary and fab:
http://www.splendicity.com/fil.....e-bone.jpg

http://www.lastylistmom.com/wp....._large.jpg

http://bagladybargains.com/OZT.....T_BONE.jpg

Something like this is outdated/old/not fab to my eye:

http://www.code3-eee.com/image.....2-7081.jpg

So I think it comes down to shape, really. I think Ele has summed it up nicely!

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Nice links Marianna:)

April do you think bone bags are conservative, classic, and matronely looking?=gramma?

I have 2 bone bags...OK, I am a gramma....never mind:)

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Taylor -- I think that I tend to gravitate toward classic bags, and my fear is that "classic" plus bone can easily equal "old lady-ish" and that I might not recognize the difference.

Let me hasten to add that I draw a definite line between grandmothers and "old lady-ish." You may be a grandmother but no one would accuse you of being "old lady-ish."

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

April, I understand what you mean. My mom was old at 30.;)

I LOVE BB bags. They tend to be classics...but in current styles , so I don't think you can go wrong with them..in any color.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh my goodness. Bone bags are 100% KILLER. My favourite bag colour on earth after red. As with EVERY handbag, it's all in the style. I have three bone handbags and one that borders on cappuccino.

April, a bone bag is a must :0)

15 years ago

Debora

Veteran

April, you could never look old-lady-ish! I'm going to put a bone bag on my wish list (which is getting longer and longer, btw)!

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh April, definitely fab IMO, I have a crush on this one
http://www.asos.com/countryid/.....8;clr=Bone

15 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

x Duplicate comment. Ignore x

15 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

April, Remember the zipper detail bag that Angie was talking about in the H&M thread. It comes in 'bone' and looks very nice. Can't find a pic anywhere, but Angie will know. Angie?

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Here's my bone coloured bag. It's a patent slouchy type one by Mischa Barton x

Edit- just spotted the comments about dirt this patent one is easy to clean i wipe it over with a shoe cleaning wipe and being patent all the marks come off though guess it wouldn't apply to biro x

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Love that bag, Louise -- thanks for the photo!

15 years ago

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