From embarrassing and ugly in the 90s to faux useful and patriotic for 2007, the see-through bag is now being reported as “trendy” and even “the next big thing.”

Oh gah!

The myth being perpetrated by dim-witted fashion journalists that clear PVC designer handbags hold the answer to the 21st century fashionista’s travel dilemmas is insane! The see-through baggies that hold liquids for security checkpoints are required to be separate from the rest of one’s purse belongings and not be sized to hold more than 1 quart. Duh! Buying one of these clear bags at ridiculous prices for that reason is misguided, and I hope no one falls for it.

Still, the possibility of these bags actually having some style to them has not been decided as completely imbecilic yet. Time and plummeting sale pricetags will tell.

Here are some photos of clear designer bags, via IguanaFashions, which is holding a contest to find the coolest indie version of the new style. (Also see our original entry: Spring 2007 Garbage Bags: Oscar de la Renta)

Having this topic and blog entry sitting on my desktop awaiting me to post about finally led me to a genius idea …Our own contest - Pursed Lips .net’s first contest ever, in fact.

A) You send in a photo or a few of a clear bag with your actual personal necessities inside - what you carry around daily in your bag. We post it here and and then - you show you’re really not embarrassed. While the contest continues you post the link to your special page here in as many places as you can (forum signatures, Flickr*, Squidoo Lenses, blogs, blogrolls, e-mail signatures, MySpace, etc.) The person who shows the highest level of brevity and who has the coolest stuff in her bag will be deemed the winner - and she gets a collection of little goodies to go in her daily purse - such as makeup bags, even a wallet - by brands and luxe brands alike!

You can cheat a little taking the photos, sneak pics at a department store, you may even get away with really fantastic Photoshop skills, as a last resort. We understand it may be hard to even want to own one of these bags.

B) The 2nd option to entering is to submit photos of your favorite purse (one you think actually deserves to be “the next big bag”) and what’s inside, and then link to the contest entries’ main page in as many fashions as above, while also blogging, or in some other way posting or publishing an article with your opinions on clear bags. The other part of this contest is to find out what people think of the trend! Plus, by sending us a photo of your own IT bag, you’ll help us know which bags are actually the hottest for 2007!
Then, all that linking will hopefully pay off for you, because our visitors will help to vote on a winner! So essentially when you link to your own page here, ask for a vote! But that’s not all, the links also act as votes for you, as well!

Rules: Click for more (story, photos, etc.) »

I remember when I was in High School, I thought I was so cool for one of the backpacks I used. I recently cringed remembering it. It was clear, see-through—oh yes, oh no! I was proud that I had nothing to hide in that bag (where were my monthly “friend” items?) like other “bad” kids. Now I’m embarrassed to have carried something so tacky. Well, the bag’s novelty wore off and I didn’t sport it long.

But you know there are handbags today with the same look—anything from $4 think-nothing-of-ems to Louis Vuitton Monogram. And now, alas, the completely clear plastic is high fashion via … …

Yes, it’s a “Garbage Bag” from the preview of Spring 2007 at New York Fashion Week (photos thanks to Coutorture). The winning designer is … Oscar de la Renta (??!!!), with bags so far from what we know of the house (usually ladylike, sophisticated, beautiful).

What good can I say? “Couture” elements were added to these bags, like that tag? No, not so good, IMHO. There’s a bow? Also, not so much. How about that I like the presentation with belongings in them. Well, that’s about it.

Please, what will the pricetag be on this plastic work of ugly?

If you’re searching for a cute beach bag for summer, look no further than the Nicolette Perspex Beach Bag ($337.21) from Melissa Odabash. The main body of the bag is made from Perspex, which is the trade name for a clear, lightweight, tough plastic, but also features white leather trim, silver hardware and a white leather detachable mini purse inside. It’s also available in yellow and has a fun tiger-striped lining.