The Bag Hag Diaries
What’s your lucky bag color for the Year of the Snake?
By Ingrid Chua-GoPhilippine Daily Inquirer
PHILLIP Lim’s Pashli tote in green
In this day and age, more people are still inclined to rely on amulets and lucky charms, daily zodiac horoscopes, and even card or palm readings to enhance their luck in matters of the heart, wealth and finances, and in their everyday lives.
Don’t laugh. Because I can tell you this much—there is really no harm in knowing more about how you can enhance your luck, as long as you understand that this is just a guide, and that you should not allow it to run your life.
During Chinese New Year, many flock to the Chinatown districts in their countries to get their hands on lucky charms that relate to their animal signs.
One of the 12 animal signs (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig) in the Chinese zodiac corresponds to your birth year. Each new year, certain colors are “suggested” by feng shui experts to use to enhance luck. I’ve taken this a step further by pairing one of the lucky colors with a bag for your sign.
Animal signs: Monkey, Sheep, Dog, Pig, Rat
Colors for the year: white, gold, silver
Since white and metallic colors are rather difficult to carry when it comes to bags, I suggest going with a small clutch in any of these colors—it’s neither too overpowering nor too high-maintenance (think color transfers on your darker clothes).
The Proenza Schouler PS11 Mirrored Wristlet seems like a good one to have. It has that special oomph factor (it is, after all, made of leather and treated to have a reflective quality), is not too overpowering in size, and fits the bill with something “silver.”
The bag needs only a little wiping here and there because the leather will not absorb color transfers from your clothes. It forces you to leave things you don’t really need to bring along, and yet is sizable enough to contain your essentials.
Iconic status
Animal signs: Rooster, Rat
Colors for the year: blue, black
THE PROENZA Schouler PS11 silver wristlet clutch
The Loewe Amazona in black is a wise choice if you’re in the market for a classic bag. The Amazona is a style that has been around since 1975, and will definitely not outgrow its iconic status any time soon.
This is a fuss-free bag with an attached lock that looks good and works well to secure it when needed. The bag is of good size, and is made with only the highest quality leather, so you get very good value for your money.
The zipper opens the bag up nicely, and you don’t have to “hunt” for your things inside, given its wide “mouth.” The Amazona is meant to be carried on the crook of your arm or in your hand. A very classy and feminine bag, in my opinion.
Animal signs: Ox, Tiger,
Rabbit, Horse
Colors for the year: orange, pink, red
Since YSL dropped the “Y” (Yves) and is now just called Saint Laurent, new creative director Hedi Slimane seems to have streamlined the brand’s look. One result is this red leather duffel bag. It looks like a cleaner version of the very popular Cabas Chyc bag.
This is a bulkier version (it being a duffel), but the look is very clean, no-frills, and elegant without being too dated. The color also makes it a standout.
Animal signs: Horse, Snake, Dragon
Colors for the year: green, brown
3.1 Phillip Lim’s Signature Pashli bag is something worth considering. Bag lovers with an aversion to the more popular bags (think Celine totes), who want something less recognizable, go for the Pashli.
Incidentally, green (emerald, to be exact) is the Pantone color for 2013, so you’ll also be on the mark with the color of this bag. It is a little heavier than the more popular Celine luggage tote, but this bag has a better capacity to expand (trapeze effect) and look more streamlined because of the twin zippers that tuck the bag’s sides in.
Animal signs: All 12 signs
Colors for the year: All colors present
If you are not too fond of your lucky color, you might want to go with this Sophia Webster bag for that added bit of fun in the Year of the Snake. It’s an all-encompassing lucky color bag that would surely work well with all 12 animal signs! The clutch is a little small, but is without a doubt a conversation starter. This bag is multicolored, too, so it would work well with almost anything in your wardrobe.
Follow Us
Recent Stories:
Tags: Bags , Lifestyle , Year of the Snake
