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MANILA, Philippines—Early trend reports show that the must-have accessory, oversized handbags, is here to stay. This season, forget about carrying a tiny purse with your favorite Little Black Dress (LBD). Instead, think big with a Large Black Bag. (LBB)

From runway reports of Emporio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Ferragamo and Michael Kors, oversized black leather handbags are all the rage.

Many of the new giant purses, especially those made of rattan or canvas, are fairly indistinguishable from the beach totes, and thus apply the carryall concept of the beach bag, which can hold a change of clothes and towels.

Why is it going so large? Are women carrying even the kitchen sink on their shoulders these days?

One reason for the giant purse trend could be related to the global Green movement.

It was posited by Elizabeth Seward at PlanetGreen.discovery.com that women today have opted for stylish alternatives in keeping up with the eco-consciousness trend, like using giant bags instead of paper or plastic bags to carry small shopping purchases or orders at the grocery store.

It's a good eco-chic tip to adopt while shopping-refusing the plastic bag and storing your finds inside a big tote instead. Also, it's a good way to store juice or water bottles when you're going around until you can throw it in the trash or a recycle bin.

Of course, women on the go these days need to store their tech essentials like their laptop, phone and iPods over and above their makeup case. Is it any wonder how we women walk at all with stiletto heels and 10-pound bags on their shoulders? To think we're supposed to be the weaker sex!

Since the look this season is about extremes, the way to wear LBD is to offset with the oversized bag. The "new" LBD focuses on the silhouette and graphic cuts. The length is also longer-with hemlines skimming just below the knee.

Shown on these pages are ways how to pair your LBD with your LBB, with some of the season's most lust-worthy designer bags. You can always bet on black!

E-mail the author@jfashion@inquirer.com.ph

• In Cebu, fashion is Philip Rodriguez
• Here comes the sun
• 5 key pieces you need now

• 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend
• Hope in uncertainty
• Wear your school spirit–but in style
• Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic
• I am no Michael Jackson fan
• PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone
• French delights
• Inner beauty
• Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady
• Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite
• Concept of ‘greenovation’
• Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire
• Dualtech’s few good men
• ‘Dinuguan’ and other food finds in Bulacan
• Boosting immune system through VCO
• Instant noodles are not balanced meals
• Nuvali up for int’l green certification
• Deep-fried foods lower body energy
• What is it like to be in a trance?
• It’s ‘Camsur’–and it rocks
• Former Dominican teachers ‘blessed martyrs’
• Wife nags husband about past infidelity
• Power of natural forces
• Riverine food and reviving the Pasig
• Doña Maria is perfect for ‘bagoong’ rice
• Cebu school marks inaugural with concert
• Pampering for men on Father’s Day
• Heritage in the balance in old Transylvania
• Must-haves for men this season

• Tessa! :  Celebrating our crystal year at oceanarium / Tessa Prieto-Valdes
• Emily's Post :  Is he ready for a relationship? / Emily A. Marcelo
• Purely Personal :  Order of Malta Philippines joins pilgrimage / Josephine Darang
• Lotus Pond - Bismark :  Inner beauty / S. Bismark
• Street Smart :  PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero
• Medical Files :  Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD
• Discovery :  Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon