I’m fessing up. I have ALOT of bags. An entire cupboard stuffed with all shapes, sizes and fabrications. They are my guilty secret, because hidden from view, no one can really ever guess quite how many are squashed onto those shelves. Hell, I even forget myself. Every season I see more; on the catwalks, at the press previews and sometimes simply draped over the arm of someone walking down the street. To replace one of my most beloved, worn out, fringed Mulberry bags, I once trawled Ebay for a year in the hope one would turn up. It did, and I moved like the wind to secure it. Over the years I’ve learnt that when buying bags; quality is paramount for day, beauty and instant wow for evening, and quirky individuality for the spontaneous splurges that you pull out on the weekend, or for exotic destinations abroad.
This week I’m paying homage to the smaller, more modestly sized bag. Teeny little clutches that play host to make up and credit cards, and smaller day bags that don’t cause neck and shoulder pain from the sheer weight of the contents. You simply can’t over stuff these bags, they dictate a firm edit. Travel pass, purse, lippy, keys and of course your phone. The basics. After all, we all love a recycled tote for carting the rest around, don’t we?
This morning during my journey to work I counted no less that 18 Mulberry Bayswater bags hugged to the bodies of chic, career women. It confirmed that Mulberry really is the go-to for investment bags – reliable, stylish and a statement to boot. It set me wondering whether these particular women could be coerced into a daytime clutch. A little bit of glamour on those days that stretch from office to bar. A hit of metallic and a squashy splurge to pour your necessities into. Oh go on…
Bag, £695, Mulberry. Bangles, from £85,rings from £58, Dower and Hall.
Ok, so the question of quite how much ‘one’ is prepared to spend on a piece of arm candy is quite a controversial one. Let’s face it, some bags are an entire month’s salary for many people. I used to put money I would have spent on posh coffee in a jar every day. It was a quest to save for my first designer bag. It felt satisfying watching it grow. BUT, it took a long ole time to raise funds, and when I finally splurged, it was a spontaneous decision whilst browsing duty free at Heathrow. The New York shows had thrown me into a wild panic and caution flew out of the window. I STILL have that bag. With Christian Louboutin purchases, the price tags can feel out of normal-life-league and yet, I do know modestly earning women who will max out their credit cards just for the pure joy of ownership. It’s like joining a private members club, one full of red soled shoes and frequented by celebrity.
Bag, £1095, Christian Louboutin. Jewellery, Dower & Hall
Thought Coach simply offered really well made, practical bags with a price tag that promises a lifetime of service? Well yes, but they have also seriously upped their game in the last few years with Stuart Vevers at the helm. Creating a niche for the brand, Vevers designs have injected an energy and uniqueness that has not only caused me to part with my hard earned twice in one season, but has attracted a new, younger customer. Bit of a crush to be honest.
Bag, £475, Coach
I might have mentioned earlier how obsessed I am with fringing. It’s something about toying with those fringes absent mindedly – perhaps because it’s calming. Both Monsoon and Accessorize are a no-brainer pit stop for such delights. Beading, embroidery, neat little clutches and very practical bags. Affordable too. What’s not to love?
Bag, £59, Monsoon.Rings, from £12, Accessorize.
Clutch? Grab more like. Introducing a few favourites complete with handbag essentials.
Beaded clutch, £126, Beck Sondergaard. Fragrance, £145, Atelier Cologne. Nail Varnish, £14, Nails Inc. Lipstick, £16, Stila.
Bag, £35, Accessorize. Fragrance, £42, Jo Malone. Eye shadow, £33.50; Eye Liner, £13, Stila.
Bag, £29.50, Marks and Spencer. Lipstick, £38, Tom Ford. Bronzer, £36, Dolce & Gabbana .
Bag £29.99, Zara. Powder compact £50, MAC.
Bag, £375, Mulberry. Foundation, £25, Elizabeth Arden.
And now for the curve ball. A perfume that looks like a clutch. Say hello to Marc Jacobs hot new fragrance ‘Decadence’ £69
Oh, and you know that thing where your phone runs out of battery at the most inconvenient of times? Well, this little beauty from Aspinal is most certainly the chicest of ways to carry around instant charge. A very cheeky treat to self at £150. Whoops.
Fashion & Photography Shelly Vella
Fashion Assistant & model Sophie Dearden
Manicure by Heritage Salon, Soho using Essence Cosmetics