Race Day Bag Inspiration | 125 On-Trend Handbag Images to Drool Over
Welcome to the wonderful new world of on-line handbag shopping. Bags are no longer the standard one-colour, hand-held clutch that merely blend into your outfit. Instead, these days, there are literally thousands of options to get excited over.
The right bag can give your outfit that extra touch of glam and tick the on-trend box. With so many choices, my eyes are bag-shaped from viewing, what felt like, 9187398127 of them.
Below is a list of some of my favourite bag trends and a whole lot of visual inspo (and I say inspo, as some of these are quite expensive…you don’t want to have to sell your kidneys). So next time you’re planning your race day outfit, check these out to see if a trend suits and how it can add to your look.
Tortoise Shell
Tortoise shell is a hot trend this season, especially in bags. It can easily be tied in to your outfit with your earrings. You can choose a full tortoise shell bag, or an accent, like a handle.
1: CULT GAIA Cora mini acrylic tote $229.46. 2: ASOS EDITION tortoise shell box bag $120.
1: Reclaimed Vintage inspired bag with tort handle $39. 2: ASOS DESIGN plastic & tort grab handle bag with frame clutch inner $30.
STAUD Bissett leather and tortoiseshell acrylic bucket bag $488.52.
1: Carey Bag $99.95. 2: MONTUNAS Stelis tortoiseshell acetate and silk-satin tote $450.59.
Clear Bags
Another super on trend element is having clear features, especially in bags and heels. These trending clear bags often have a coloured insert, which is fun to play around with and can tie in with other features of your outfit.
1: STAUD Frida PVC and croc-effect leather tote $290.52. 2: Bershka top handle bag with inner pouch in clear $50.
1: STAUD Bissett PVC and patent-leather bucket bag $366.39. 2: BOYY Deon PVC and leather tote $930.79.
1: GU_DE Water PVC and croc-effect leather tote $420.06. 2: Glamorous clear bag with ring grab handle $38.
Continuing on from the clear trend are acrylic/ Perspex bags. These bags are solid structures which can be made into cubes, triangles, circles, rectangles etc. and can be clear or coloured. I really love the look of an acrylic bag. I find the clear trend does come in and out of fashion, but you can guarantee it will be back at some stage.
VALENTINO Valentino Garavani The Rockstud Spike medium quilted PVC shoulder bag $2,780.
1: OSCAR DE LA RENTA Alibi Perspex clutch $3,313.39. 2: ASOS DESIGN clear box vanity bag $64.
ASOS DESIGN plastic frame bag with contrast removable inner pouch $32.
A fun option, mainly seen in Spring/ Summer, are bamboo bags. In the past we’ve seen them in a number of fun shapes like the popular half-moon basket bag, or, more recently, where raw bamboo sticks are used to create an authentic natural look.
ASOS DESIGN triangular bamboo beaded handled bag with detachable cross body strap $70.
1: SAINT LAURENT Kate small wood shoulder bag $5,150. 2: New Look slatted wooden bag in stone $66.
1: Cult Gaia Dome mini bamboo clutch $160. 2: CULT GAIA Millie rattan tote $145.27.
Tassels
Tassels are a fun feature to play around with. The whole bag could be made from tassels, which looks fantastic when you move and can add drama to an outfit, or you can opt for a subtle tassel hanging from your bag.
1: ASOS EDITION extreme fringe bag with natural handle $110. 2: HILLIER BARTLEY Lantern fringed leather clutch $1,489.30.
1: NANNACAY Marina tasseled crocheted shoulder bag $267.39. 2: BIENEN-DAVIS Régine tasseled Lurex and gold-dipped shoulder bag $4,434.39.
Waist Bag/ Belt Bag
I am yet to see anyone rock this trend at the races. It is something experimental (in fact I’m planning to try it out in my next outfit).
There are variations of the Belt Bag, available in different sizes from big to very small, in an array of different fabrications and colours. I think this would be fun paired with a very contemporary, fashion forward look.
STAUD Nic feather-trimmed patent-leather tote $471.13.
Beaded Bags
Beads are another great way to add texture and interest to your outfit, especially in a bag. Beaded straps look funky too. If you’re feeling crafty, you could even add beads to an existing bag.
1: MULBERRY Small Square watersnake-trimmed leather shoulder bag $1,504.69. 2: ASOS EDITION hexagon bead bag $130.
Sling Bag
You don’t often see bags slung from the shoulder in FOTF, but I think these modern slings would suit a structured suit or streamlined outfit.
1: CULT GAIA Tallulah Bean macramé and acrylic shoulder bag $297.92. 2: CULT GAIA Tallulah Bean macramé and acrylic shoulder bag $297.92.
Emily Levine Knot cotton-canvas and wicker tote $174.18.
HUNTING SEASON Lola small tasseled velvet and acrylic pouch $786.45.
Bento Bag
I have named these bags ‘Bento Bags’, as they remind me of Japanese bento lunch boxes wrapped up in fabric. These are a quirky shape which would look good contrasted with a pencil cut dress, as the bags are quite full themselves.
1: REJINA PYO Nane canvas tote $450.59. 2: THE ROW Ascot small satin tote $1,331.23.
REJINA PYO Agnes suede and croc-effect leather tote $854.91.
Raffia / Woven
I absolutely LOVE raffia bags and raffia detail. The perfect summer-y vibe to add to your S/S look.
Raffia comes in all sorts of colours and is actually a really fun DIY craft to try, if you’re that way inclined. Try adding raffia details to bags and even hats!
Feeling the itch to add a touch of leopard print to your outfit? This season’s must try trend is animal print and carrying a bit of leopard in your bag is an easy way to give it a go!
1: M2MALLETIER Amor animal-print calf hair clutch AUD 1,088. 2: M2MALLETIER La Fleur Du Mal printed calf hair shoulder bag AUD 1,178.
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