Standout handbags to be the envy of others

‘ACCeSSOrieS are much more visible thanks to instagram,’ says celebrity stylist and fashion critic, Alex Longmore.

We can zoom in and look at detail now so designers are producing bags with this in mind. The shape is also key. This summer’s trend for circular straw bags, seen everywhere from Zara to Marks & Spencer, added a new dimension to both an outfit — and a photo.

The circle shape proved to be so popular there are now eyecatching autumn versions which fashion bloggers are sure to snap up — and soon maybe you will too.

Cross-body bags are another social mediafuelled trend which are worn to add a splash of colour or print to an outfit.

Stores such as Accessorize encourage customers to post pictures of their purchases online with the hashtag ‘Accessorizer’ to show others how they’ve decided to style their new look. Cult brand Gaia’ s sculptural bags (pictured above) have stunning details that photograph like mini works of art, making them hugely popular with the style- conscious it- crowd on instagram.