Take a look at any sales forecast and you will see handbags garnering quite a chunk of the accessories pie enjoying almost as much of the share as jewelry. After all, it’s the accessories that complete any outfit and a handbag is an essential accessory – one that is both fun and functional.

According to a report by the NPD Group and Accessories Magazine, handbags make up for 28% of all accessories sales with the 2011 market forecast as $35.8 billion. The trend charts point to upward sales every year for the near future which means one thing for you – the category is red hot.

Most of the trends observed in other giftware make their way into accessories as well and nowhere is this more true than in handbags. Be it Chevron stripes or color trends, here is what to keep an eye on in this perennially favorite category.

Stripe it Rich

Cool Chevron
Tie Handbag
Joanel
888.9JOANEL
www.joanel.ca

Retro Chic

Drivers Wanted
BRISA Entertainment Inc.
800.919.3990
www.brisa.com

See Green

Emerald Style
Verde Bonita Saddle Bag
cinda b
877.692.4632
www.cindab.com

Stud Finder

Ostrich Studded
Satchel
Elise Hope
818.726.4439
www.elisehope.com

Applique Accessory

Flower Power
JS Alexys Tote
Enesco LLC
800.4.ENESCO
www.enesco.com

Greenpiece

Canned Good
Laura Hobo Bag
Escama Studio
415.595.1118
www.escamastudio.com

Color Craze

Open Wide
Doctor Handbag
Portal Distribution for Hi-di-hi
612.454.9066
www.portaldistribution.com

Vegan Diet

Lose the Leather
London Big Ben Messenger Bag
Lavishy
416.767.6240
www.lavishy.com

A Stitch in Time

Embroidered Details
Radcliffe Needlepoint Tote
Victorian Trading Co. Wholesale
888.838.0925
www.victoriantradingwholesale.com

Case in Point

Point and Scoot
Leo Cross-Body Bag
Shiraleah
866.503.9765
www.shiraleah.com

Laid Out in Black and White

Ikat Tote
Under Stella’s Umbrella
888.502.8882
www.understellasumbrella.com

A Blank Canvas

Slingin’ the Blues
The Lexington Bag
Vance Kitira
800.646.6360
www.vancekitira.com

Wild Thing

Red Hot
Animal Print Handbag
WM Design House
626.484.0650
www.wmdesignhouse.com