Bags of Style
Hunting for a new handbag? Here are the 5 essential autumn/winter trends you need to know about.
Autumn is officially here, meaning it’s time to pack away our strappy dresses, shorts and sandals, and get ready to bundle up in cosy knitwear and layers and pull on our favourite boots.
While some winter wardrobe staples can (and should) be worn year after year, if you’re looking for one key piece to update your style for the new season, you can’t go wrong with a handbag.
A chic bag in the right colour will complement almost any outfit – and now is the perfect time to go shopping for a new bag, because the high street is awash with cool, catwalk-inspired arm candy…
TOTE BAGS Big bags are back in a big way, which is handy if you’re returning to the office and need a roomy tote to ferry your laptop/ lunchbox/gym kit/all of the above to and from work. Take your cue from Gucci, Dior and Gabriela Hearst with a super-size top handle tote, or grab a squishy leather holdall to cradle under your arm like the models on the Fendi and Sportmax runways.
HUSH Penny Jumper €96 Penny Knitted Midi Skirt €84 with Baxter Leather Tote €185, visit hushuk.com
RADLEY Finsbury Park Large Zip Top Shoulder Bag €164, visit radley.co.uk
QUILTED BAGS
You’ve got two choices when it comes to quilted bags for autumn.
The utility trend is still in full force, with puffed-up cross-body and belt bags in neutral hues. Inspired by the Chanel and Burberry collections, classic leather handbags with chain straps, that can be worn long or short, are an elegant choice for day or evening.
DUNE LONDON Duchess S Black Small Quilted Leather Bag €190, visit dunelondon.com
TED BAKER Cirus Quilted Circle Bag €170, visit mcelhinneys.com
NEW LOOK Pale Pink Quilted Chain Strap Cross Body Bag €22.99, visit newlook.com
FLUFFY BAGS
There was an explosion of all things fluffy on the AW21 catwalks, from DSquared2’s shearling hobo bag, to Burberry’s huge, fuzzy tote and JW Anderson’s bright, tasselled creations. A cream faux fur or shearling shoulder bag is the ideal match for a classic camel coat.
ACCESSORIZE Faux Shearling Slouch Bag €42, visit accessorize.com
H&M Faux Fur Shoulder Bag €8 (reduced), visit hm.com /en_ie
GEORGE AT ASDA Cream Faux Fur Tote Bag €25, visit global.direct.asda.com
CROSSBODY BAGS
While it seems the micro purse trend is finally on the way out, there were still lots of compact cross-body bags on the catwalks at Louis Vuitton, Molly Goddard, Coach and more. A boxy, zip-up cross-body in soft leather offers the best of both worlds: big enough to hold all your essentials, without weighing you down.
ZARA Crossbody bag with chain €39, visit zara.ie
OLIVER BONAS Eve Black Fold Over Crossbody Camera Bag Large €56, visit oliverbonas.com
CHAIN BAGS
Chain-strap handbags are a timeless classic, of course, but this season the links are decorative rather than practical – from shiny and gold at Valentino and Stella McCartney, to plastic and chunky at Longchamp and Acne. A metallic chain adds edge to a utility-style bag, giving it added day-to-night potential.
ASOS Design Puffed Quilted Shoulder Bag in Brown with Chunky Chain €24.99, visit asos.com
MANGO Chains Engraved Bag €39.99, visit shop.mango.com/ie
RIVER ISLAND Black Chain Detail Cross Body Bag €51, visit riverisland.com