Belt Purse: Women's Spring 2011 Accessory Trend

I hazard to use the term 'fanny pack' (or, 'bum bag' as it's colloquially known in Australia and the UK): not only do such terms lack elegance, but they tend to hark back to the days where such items were made from neon coloured nyon and fastened around with parachute clips. More importantly though, the term is not entirely accurate as it relates to this particular fashion trend in 2011; an an accessory trend it has not only moved on, but moved up - several inches.

So we'll label this trendlet affectionately as the belt purse or belt pouch - 2011's elegant take on the fanny pack.

Belt purse at Jaeger London, SS11

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The belt purse: what is it

This one is fairly self-explanatory. It's a small pouch or purse that's worn strapped around the waist or hips. The pouch can be a seperate accessory - removable, and able to be interchanged with different belts; or can come attached to a strap.Women's spring 2011 accessory trends

Belt purse worn by Hanneli.

In 2011:

•It's best when sitting higher, at the waist, to create a sophisticated shape and to seperate the look from being too functional. That said, it can also work at the hip or lower-slung for a more casual take as long as the style is elegant.

•Either way, go for luxury fabrication: leather belt purses are definitely best, and the strongest style for 2011.

Belt purses from Hermes SS11, Pucci SS11, and Dianne Von Furstenberg SS11.

What to wear it with

•A waist-cinching leather belt with a little belt bag / belt purse is perfect for pairing with a long, flowing maxi dress.

•With some tassel detailing to add a luxury bohemian touch, a la Emilio Pucci pictured above.

•Through the belt-looks of a sophisticated, high-waist pair of tailored pants or flares.

•With a clean, minimal cocktail dress for evening time, perfect for storing a credit card and a lipstick.

Belt pack at Jaeger London, SS11

Capri Pants Fashion Trend

Skinny pant cuts may have dominated the landscape for several years now... but there have always been other styles coming and going around the nebulous edges of the fashion world. For spring 2011 the slim-cut, though not necessarily skin tight, cropped pant gets a look in as one of those alternatives, with the option to create a number of different looks out of the style.

Capri pants in 2011

So we're all somewhat accustomed to our skinny jeans and cigarette-leg pants, but as far as fashion trends in 2011 go there are some new alternatives. The revival of 70s fashion sees sophisticated takes on bell bottoms and flares high on the list of pant styles to invest in, yet it goes without saying that a wide leg isn't for everyone. So if you're an alternative to both the skinny pant and the wide legged interpretation, particularly one that works better with flat shoes as flares often don't, then here's one for you: 2011's take on the capri pant.

Capri pant styles in 2011

There are several different cuts to the capri pant in 2011:

• Pants that are cropped only ever so slightly, to sit just above the ankle.

• More traditional capri pants cut three-quarter, though in 2011 we're seeing more cut just below the calf than ones that are mid-calf.

• Slim-cut pants that are rolled up to sit above the ankle (a great alternative if you want to give a fresh take to some of your skinnies rather than invest in specifically cropped pairs).

How to wear cropped pants

So those are the most popular and on-trend cuts for 2011; now how to style them?

The ladylike 50s/60s fashion trend is largely at the core of the capri pant revival. Think capris with ballet shoes or kitten heels, and a tie-front shirt and you're on your way to a weekend Betty Draper look. Another vintage take is to pair some nautical stripes and espadrilles, pin-up style. But cropped pants don't have to be pigeonholed to vintage looks.

Look to Balmain (pictured below) and Balenciaga for inspiration on giving cropped pants a punk or biker overtone. Pairing cropped pants with boots can also be a grungy, modern take that's imbued with a careless attitude.

You can also go super-modern and minimalist with a crisp white pair of cropped or rolled up pants or some sharply tailored capris.