For fall 2011, it’s all about python

It didn’t take long for python to make itself known as the most significant handbag look of fall 2011; as trends go, exotic skins aren’t exactly subtle. They’re also not affordable, so if you want to purchase into a piece of one of the runway, start saving your pennies now. To help motivate you, we’ve put together a non-comprehensive compendium of some of fall 2011’s snakeskin looks, all the way from slouchy, comfortable pink Dior to rigid, bright yellow Gucci.

Valentino fall 2011: Structured, multicolored and big enough to use as an everyday bag. If your style is traditional, this is the python purse for you.

Dior fall 2011: Big, slouchy, baby pink. ladies with a very feminine sensibility will want to use this bag to lend their ensembles a sense of girlishness. With a heavy dose of luxury, of course.

Louis Vuitton fall 2011: petite and refined, with a clochette that snakes away from the deal with like a cartoon devil’s tail. The effect is even much more pronounced in the red version.

Bottega Veneta fall 2011: For snakeskin, it doesn’t get much much more neutral and functional than this bicolored Bottega tote.

Bottega Veneta fall 2011: part of the brilliance of snakeskin accessories is that they give you another texture to mix into your outfit. This particular bag does that within one design, pairing the skin with orange suede.

Gucci fall 2011: If you’d rather stick with the structured, sharp ladybag trend, Gucci gives you just that with a very exotic twist. plus it’s bright yellow, which makes it a trend double-whammy.

Chloe fall 2011: Chloe didn’t have a terrific show at Paris fashion Week, but its python offerings that didn’t include the animal’s actual head are certainly in keeping with the season’s prevailing trends.

Dries Van Noten fall 2011: Of all of the python-embracing collections of the fall collections, the quirky, directional feel of the Dries Van Noten accessories was my favorite. numerous of the bags combined python with textures like velvet, but this color blocked grasp stole the show.

Photos through Vogue.com. photo at top center is Prada fall 2011.