The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
In the bag
Size matters when it comes to this season’s arm candy, says Katie Wright
What the stylish people are carrying this summer – and yes, size is a thing.
It basically comes down to one question when choosing a new bag: fun or functional? Do you want a massive tote that you can throw practically everything you own into every time you leave the house (because you never know when you might need dry shampoo, wet wipes or a European adaptor, right?) or do you want a tiny purse that won’t get in the way when you’re gallivanting around town? Surveying this season’s bag trends, they fall firmly in one of the two camps. But when you see how desirable they are, you might want to reverse your approach to these accessories. So, which is the one for you? Find out with our guide to spring’s best bags... While leather and metallic hardware usually dominate on the catwalks, for SS18, we saw the emergence of sweet, ’70s-style bags at Miu Miu, Giorgio Armani and even Alexander Wang (the latter in black, of course).
BASKET BAGS
Ideal if you’re going to be wearing lots of floaty boho frocks and retro denim this season, take your high street pick from basket bags or woven totes in summery hues.
– Dune Doannee white basket woven handbag, £70
– Next natural mini circle straw bag, £26
– Therapy woven mini tote, £30, House of Fraser
BUCKET BAGS
Bucket bags have been around for a few years now, but they’ve had a bit of a makeover for spring, with bright jewel tones seen at Emporio Armani and candy-striped box bags at Carolina Herrera. Forget slouchy sacks, now it’s all about chic cylindrical bucket bags, in neutral tones with minimal detailing.
– Lover of Luxe personalised pillar box bag, £65
– Adidas white favourite sea sack, £44.95
– Matt and Nat orchid bini bag, £98
MICRO BAGS
Barely bigger than a fist, evening bags were seriously shrunken in the SS18 collections, from Fendi’s top-handle miniatures, to Chanel’s egg-like hardcase bags. You may think micro bags are suitable only for after dark, but a small, sporty crossbody bag looks great by day (as long as you can survive with only your keys, cash card and phone).
– Monsoon Michaela mini camera bag, £25
– V by Very micro mini ’80s chain strap bag, £11 (reduced from £22)
– Simply Be Trixie mini glitter shoulder bag, £18
BUM BAGS
More designers than ever jumped on the bum bag bandwagon this season, with Balenciaga, Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang all showing the handsfree pouches (many of them worn across the chest rather than around the waist).
– Accessorize Otto Multiway Quilted Bumbag, £22
– Topshop Flava chainmail bum bag, £24
– Miss Selfridge black studded belt bag, £18