Swing State
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

You may already be a mover and shaker, but this fall, your handbag can be, too. Kinetic elements that swing, sway, jingle, or jangle are showing up all over accessories and jewelry. Sparkles and embroidery on clothing are still around, but now there’s even more going on. A feather here, a bauble there, and dangling strips of leather flowing down from anywhere are what it’s all about.
In his most recent fur collection, Dennis Basso showed sumptuous coats with delicate movement sewn right on. Bead edged belts were long and swishy. From the front panels of the coats came long thin strips of leather finished off with feathers. All of it waved prettily with each step the models took.
Mr. Basso worked these bits into the collection to give it all added zip. “In addition to the beading and embroidery, the embellishments – dangling beads, leather strips, belts – give the piece a three-dimensional quality,” he said. “As the wearer moves, these elements also move and work together to create an overall energy.”
Handbags with decorative leather strips have been popular lately, but this fall the British label Tanner Krolle is bringing in a refined version of the trend. A small banana shaped bag has thin strips, knotted at the end. The larger Money Bag has squishy parts and flowing parts that add up to a dynamic whole. Mexx, too, has a look for less: A studded brown leather bag comes with pretty peacock feathers and little leather strips.
But jewelry designers are having the most fun of all. Wenlan Chia – designer of Twinkle by Wenlan – has a line of inexpensive pieces that capture this shifty trend with charms, baubles, and chains. Fine jewelers are embracing the energy, too. Vera Wang’s jewelry collection includes rings with amethysts and diamond pendants dangling off. From Rosiblu comes an updated take on the single-charm bracelet; the monogrammed plaque comes with a separate frame surrounding it. DeBeers has taken the trend to a sparkling level with its “Sun” ring; from a center core hang several diamonds encased in star shapes, all of which move and shake prettily on the hand.
Sarah Graham, a California based metalsmith, created an open-work pendant out of blackened steel (it’s a hypoallergenic, stainless cobalt chrome) backed by a plate of 18K gold that makes a light click-clack sound when worn. “It’s metal on metal. It reminds me of my mother’s rings clacking together. It’s a sweet sound,” Ms. Graham said, adding that the sound and movement of the piece make it attractive to the eye.
The only danger with this look is in overdoing it. If your bag swings with leather tassels, keep your clothes stationary.