From neon totes to necklace swingers and all manner of fluff, frills and chain in between, the autumn/winter runways were positively brimming with lust worthy arm candy.
The overriding mantra? More is most definitely more.
So as the weather cools and back-to-school looms, banish that basket bag to the back of your cupboard and start saving for one of the following styles:
Full pelt
From the tweeny bopper furry rainbow backpacks that rocked the runway at Jeremy Scott, to Shrimps’s perfectly prim pink furry purses and the super svelte black-tie-appropriate furry orbs seen swinging on chains at Oscar De La Renta, fuzz and fur is migrating from coats to clutches and totes this season. But, really, there's no need to choose. Double down and go fur (sorry...) gold.
Reptilia
Snake and crocodile skin – both real and mock – were seen on bags all over the autumn/winter runway shows. Echoing the grandmother’s croc doctor’s bag you might find in a vintage shop, this season reptilian skins have been revisited in a rainbow array of bold acid and pastel hues. The neon green snakeskin at Lanvin and lilac croc at Louis Vuitton were particularly lust worthy affairs.
Boxed out
Oscar de la Renta, Gucci, Michael Kors, Roksanda… the runways were awash with structured, top-handle boxy bags. Reminiscent of a sartorially slick school lunch box, these hard shelled sleeksters bring clean lines and an unexpected practicality when paired with the season's frill-centric frocks.
With the added bonus your sarnies won’t get squashed.
Neck it
Are you one for carting around a tote brimming with unnecessary handbag detritus? Why not ditch those seven lip balms, eight pens, 300 receipts and a notebook you usually carry in favour of an altogether more streamlined approach. In this day and age there’s really very little need for much more than a bank card and a phone, which is lucky, because that’s all you’ll fit in one of the ultra mini handbags on offer at Giambattista Valli, Céline, Jacquemas, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Altuzarra.
Your reward for going all Marie Kondo on your tote clutter? Your bag is now so small it is actually a necklace. A NECKLACE I tell you.
Chain game
Chain strap handbags have been noticeably absent from the arms of the fash pack in recent years, but autumn marks their resurgence. At Dolce & Gabbana twinkling evening bags were given edge with disproportionately hefty chains, while Tom Ford paired neon red leopard print with chunky silver hardware. At Versace lengthy golden ropes came replete with lashings of coin-shaped golden accoutrements. This season chain straps are bigger and badder than ever, so skip the skinny silver slivers and go heavy on the metal.
Carrie on Paris
If the recent explosion of Dior’s iconic saddle bag wasn’t enough to convince you that early-2000s itty bitty logo-centric bags are back then one look at the autumn winter runways provided ample proof. Channel Carrie Bradshaw and Paris Hilton circa 2003 with Fendi and Gucci’s monogrammed baguette bags or the deliciously saccharine pink metallic options from Miu Miu.
Best paired with strappy PVC sandals, oversized crystal-embellished sunglasses and a head bandana. Chihuahua optional.
Acid attack
If you’re not feeling brave enough to tackle one of the head-to-toe neon looks advocated by Prada and Sonia Rykiel, an acid bright handbag is the perfect way to test the fluoro trend. From the squidgy neon yellow pouches at Maison Margiela to the lovely lime green crossbodies at Lanvin, zinging is winning this autumn. Go big or day-glo home.