Bag Lady

Let’s get real! No one wants to carry their kitchen sink around all day, even if it is in the latest ‘it bag. That’s why this season’s return to practical accessories is long over-due. The chicest girls will be carrying their essentials, that’s lip gloss, keys, a travel card and their wallet in either a rucksack, a cross-body shoulder bag or, one well and truly buried, a bum bag. This is sports-luxe at its very best and not only were the spring runways showing off these practical buys, but the high street stores are too. It’s all about convenience right? Everyone wants to go hands-free and it seems spring’s hottest bag trend is the perfect solution. This time around the difference is in the detailing, so expect a kaleidescope of colours, leather, sequins and studding – mouth-wateringly stylish bags for everyday use.

The Bum Bag

Ok, so moving swiftly on from Saved by the Bell, the 21st century bum bag is all together more… chic. That is to say in the sportswear look Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and D&G presented, what has been the brunt of many a joke over the last 20 years was also included. Bum bags always bing to mind middle-aged tourists. So, how to wear? Slung low with harem pants or short shorts.

The rucksack

Another everyday staple, that has moved on from gym bag to style statement. For a long while the best way to carry all your possessions was in an oversized holdall. Perhaps realising a lop-sided gait was useless on the great catwalk of life, designers made the basic rucksack smaller, decorative and even non-waterproof polyester. Louis Vuitton presented the most luxurious ruck sack ever, with a fur charm, signature monogrammed leather and layer upon layer of tassels. How to wear? Half full, so there’s a bit of slouch.

The Cross-body

Hmm, it’s hard to not to reminisce to childhood games of dress-up, when you’d swing mum’s handbag while staggering in oversized high-heels. However, the cross-body bag is more then just a practical vestibule for festivals, raves and fancy dress, this season it shows you’re someone on the move, who lives by the seat of their pants. Yet again designers brought colour and, most importantly, scale to the mix. Phillip Lim studded his, American football style, while Chanel’s hay romp collection, teamed clogs with its ornate lady-like petite bags. How to wear? These are super versatile. On the runways, they were worn like a clutch bags, while other’s hung from shoulders and others, naturally, across the body – that’s the versatility of a practical bag.

Practical Bags