BAGS are so much more than just a place to hold your phone, wallet and keys or something to cart your stuff around in. Not everyone has the time or inclination to experiment much with their clothes, but it's a lot easier to show off your taste and personality in your accessories.
The right bag – whether it's an unusual colour or an on-trend shape – can transform an unremarkable outfit into something completely different. It's the ultimate cheat code for lazy dressers.
However, you can't just pick up any old bag and call it a day. Luckily, there were plenty of new styles and shapes on the spring/summer catwalks to help inspire you to up your accessories game. Here's our pick of the best bags to, well, bag now...
BOXY BAGS
The most interesting new bag shape to come off the catwalks was a box silhouette. These aren't large totes – just small, square shapes you can either hold in your hand or sling over your shoulder.
BUCKLE UP
One of the more unexpected bag trends of the season is all about buckles. We say 'unexpected' because this is a style that might remind you of the handbags your grandma carries about – not what springs to mind when you think of catwalk fashion. Make sure the buckle really is the statement-maker of the piece – the bigger, the better. Let's face it: it was only a matter of time before the world of fashion realised grannies are trendsetters.
TEENY-WEENY
Fashion is all about extremes, which is why the trend for miniature bags has proved so enduring. Luckily, most of the bags you're likely to buy on the high street aren't the size of a bottle cap like Le Chiquito, but just big enough to fit your wallet. Wear it attached to your belt, worn as a wristlet, or slung across your body with a long strap. Lean into the silliness of the look – fashion is meant to be fun.
ORANGE ON THE MARCH
Every few seasons, a key colour rules supreme. The past few years has seen an obsession with neon green and this year that's been replaced by another bright hue: orange. If you're the kind of person who lives in all-black clothes, an accent bag in highlighter-orange will help keep drabness at bay. Choose any bag style you want – just make sure the colour is bright and joyful.
