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.

tortoise shell recangular clutch

1: CULT GAIA Cora mini acrylic tote $229.46. 2: ASOS EDITION tortoise shell box bag $120.

tortoise shell round clutch

CULT GAIA Devora acrylic tote $457.99

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.

STAUD Shirley mini PVC and leather tote $267.39.

Acrylic/ Perspex

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.

BALMAIN Cracked acrylic clutch $2,812.21.

1: L’AFSHAR Leon acrylic clutch $946.52. 2: L’AFSHAR Grace acrylic clutch $1,289.87.

1: L’AFSHAR Kuro acrylic clutch $870.64. 2: MONTUNAS Guaria acetate and silk-satin tote $648.59.

KANDY ROUND ACRYLIC SHOULDER BAG $149.95 

Bamboo

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.

1: Kendra Bamboo Clutch $158.00. 2: Tiana Bamboo Satchel $198.00.

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.

KARINA CRYSTAL MESH DRAWSTRING POUCH $129.95.

1: CULT GAIA Angelou mini tasseled crochet clutch $516. 2:ROSANTICA Marv fringed beaded tote $854.91.