Darling, the Bag Is Magnifique!

By Charla Krupp

Don't be surprised if you run into women on the links this summer carrying golf bags covered in 18th century French fabric. Toile (just say twall) is everywhere. "Toile is the new leopard," proclaims Cynthia O'Connor, whose showroom based in New York City sells the $555 Clever Carriage Co. golf bag, which will show up in select Neiman Marcus stores this spring. Even if you don't recognize its name, you know its best-selling patterns: romantic scenes of the French countryside, in black, red or blue on cream-colored cotton. The cozy, Old World designs were once found mainly on upholstered furniture, curtains and bedding. But they spread out last spring, showing up on cropped pants, resort wear, pj's and handbags. Now they're everywhere from tennis-racquet covers to dog beds. French design house Manuel Canovas is even launching a line of toile lingerie. Given the economy, toile's staying power has value. If it's lasted since the 1700s, maybe, just maybe, it will survive till next season.

--By Charla Krupp