This fall, silver-screen glamour meets the lavish ’70s with metallics, furs, animal prints, big hair and big bags.

Purses and handbags of all shapes, sizes, and flavors are ruling the planet this fall with bold patterns, bright colors and huge proportions. No longer does the stark, minimalist style of the late ’90s match today’s gilded lifestyles.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and designers this fall are seeing extravagance.

Shine, Shine, Shine

The gold standard is alive again in gold clutches, silver accents and excessive bronze hardware. Everything that sparkles catches the eye of fall’s most feminine accessory — rhinestone encrusted broaches and jewelry.

Beauty is back on the fashion scene, whether it’s sophisticated elegance or retro glamour. Dolce & Gabbana use both elements in their fall collection with playful glamour and glitter accents. Patterns are back in full swing, transforming classic fall tweeds and plaids. No longer are floral prints for your grandmother’s couch — the bolder and more flamboyant, the better.

Sexed-up secretary

Homage is being paid to the understated look of the retro secretarial sex appeal of the ’40s in Badgley Mischka’s fall 2004 collection. The collection teeters on the verge of sexed-up secretary and dominatrix with tailored suits and black leather.

The look is created with gray tones, pencil skirts, slim blouses, seamed stockings, shouldered silhouettes and sky-high heels. In keeping with the luxury and richness of the fabrics, colors and tones, fall bags mirror reflections of the collections.

New spins on old styles are done by using fur, suede, leather, crocodile and velvet. The bags appear very ladylike, yet modern with texture and contemporary embellishments like broaches. This season offers new twists on continuing shapes and styles.

Find it cheap

Many of the fall styles are available at any price level. When looking for designer bags or quality in vintage items, look for authentic tags or labels stating where it was produced and check the overall quality of the item.

If it’s a Prada bag and the tag says “Made in China,” chances are the bag is a knockoff. The most important thing to remember when shopping at thrift stores is: If you like it, buy it. Labels aren’t everything.

When looking for an authentic designer piece, keep your eyes open and be very picky when shopping. Great finds don’t always cost a lot of money. Being fashionable is not an expensive profession. Turn your walk to class into your personal runway and start the semester off in style.