If there was ever a time that was ripe for the launch of a women's bag with a mannish lean, Chanel did well to pick this one. After all, this is a period in which a masculine undertone permeates through much of women's fashion; an undertone that we only expect to strengthen as 2012 approaches, bringing with it an expected 1930s revival. There's another fact revealed: this masculine undertone is not modern or futuristic, nor based on an experimentation with androgyny. Instead, it's a masculine undertone that carries with it heritage appeal. And few fashion houses do heritage as well as Chanel. So it is that masculine qualities merge with heritage appeal to shape one of Chanel's autumn / fall 2011 offerings: the Boy bag. Inspired by a hunters' cartridge bag carried by Coco Chanel. The lack of over femininity in the Boy Chanel seems clear from the moment you lay eyes on it. It's lines are strong, its hardware embellishments not slight. To be certain this isn't a gent's bag, thrown over his shoulder or across his chest it would look out of place, but nor is it of the quilted, visually soft standard that many a Chanel bag has been coveted for. Chanel have a term for it, they say they're avoiding the feminine cliches.
