What bags will be down the beach this year?
If you ask me, choosing a bag for the winter months is pretty easy. Tough leather, gold chains and plenty of room for all your winter essentials are pretty much all you need. But when it comes to summer and the beaches start to call, it’s a whole new story.
The problem I have is that leather just doesn’t work for summer, especially when it comes to hitting the beach. It makes me hot and the last thing I want when I’ve put together a pretty, summery outfit is to ruin it by lugging around a huge, dark leather bag.
Summer is all about lightweight materials and a touch of ladylike elegance, so read on to discover the top bags you should be toting around over the next few months (if it ever gets warm, that is).
Large and boxy – for those who need plenty of room
Both Fendi and Giorgio Armani showed large, boxy bags in their spring/summer 2016 collections. Think old-fashioned doctors’ bags with an update courtesy of 2016. While Fendi’s was covered in row-upon-row of tiny orange spheres to nail the sports luxe trend, Armani’s came in deep navy blue with subtle and small gold buckles on the handles.
Beware – these should only be carried in your hand… don’t try and get them on your shoulder.
Neon clutches – to make a statement on a night out
Every girl needs a clutch bag in their wardrobe, after all, you can’t lug a huge handbag around on a night out. But for summer 2013 you need to update your winter sparkler with something bright, bold and beautiful… and that means some neon.
Gucci went for full on shades of punchy yellow in their spring/summer 2013 collection, but if you’re wary of anything too zany then keep your eyes peeled for colour blocking with two bold shades and one neutral hue. Geometric is the fashion word of the moment, so keep that in mind when hunting for a clutch.
Pretty pastels – for a subtle hint of summer colour.
While neon might be fine for nights out, sultry summer days call for something a bit cooler and this is where pastel shades come in. Missoni, Mulberry and Dior all tried out this look as they debuted bags in mint green, pale orange and baby pink.
This beach bag has especially caught my eye, from Pia Rossini their Fiesta Tote Bag, you’d fit everything you need within it and the look and feel is just perfect for the beach.
The great thing about this look is that it works on daytime bags of all shapes, sizes and styles (apart from anything too fierce), so it’s pretty difficult to get it wrong. Team with a pair of floral trousers and a plain grey T-shirt, or use a pastel bag to complement a pretty navy dress. Backpacks – for practical girls.
Over the past couple of years backpacks have made something of a comeback (remember the sold-out $39,000 alligator backpack for the Olsen twins’ label The Row?), and they’re still going strong for summer 2022.
These backpacks aren’t dirty, dusty and full of the remnants of your last camping trip. They should be super luxe (look out for woven straw) or made from cute canvases with immaculate leather piped detailing. Perfect for days when you need to keep your hands free – e.g. a shopping trip!
Which bag will you be carrying this summer?