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Mesh totes – yes they are exactly as they sound; bags with holes in them. Mesh totes were seen on a few runways for SS12 and they have crept onto the high street too, but are they a good idea? The answer to the question lies in whether you see the purpose of a bag as to carry your belongings, or to hide your belongings.
Mesh totes leave no room to hide. Your phone, purse, lippy and tissues are on full display. This means you need a careful bag edit before going out in public. At Kenzo a soft fisherman’s style mesh bag was seen, small and round with red mesh and blue leather trim. The model wore an outfit of blue and orange with a digital mesh print, and a mesh covered cap. There was also super slim plastic mesh shopper bags teamed with more digital mesh prints on lightweight separates.
Oscar de la Renta showed a plastic mesh powder blue bowling bag that works perfectly with the pastel trends. Then there is the newly released SS12 collection of Bao Bao bags by Issey Miyake which luckily aren’t see through but instead come in wonderful bursts of plasticized colour. Inspired by the graphic panels of modern architecture, the new Bao Bao range are made of a futuristic synthetic material fused to mesh cloth, and are foldable for handy storage. The totes come in shimmering, faceted ombre, colourful stripes and graphic numeral prints.
A stylish alternative to the mesh bag is a wide weave wicker style. If you think a PVC mesh bag is for you, carry a pretty large purse or makeup bag inside to hide all of your bits and pieces. Otherwise, large styles make a great beach bag. Look out for a black PVC mesh tote heading to ASOS.com soon, for £40.
