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.
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.
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.
ASOS DESIGN plastic frame bag with contrast removable inner pouch $32.
BALMAIN Cracked acrylic clutch $2,812.21.
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.
ASOS DESIGN triangular bamboo beaded handled bag with detachable cross body strap $70.
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.
ULLA JOHNSON Leia leather-trimmed wicker and macramé shoulder bag $574.55.
CAROLINA SANTO DOMINGO Stella bead-embellished satin clutch $702.25.
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.
Missguided metal ring croc belt bag in green $40.
1: Chloé C suede-trimmed leather belt bag $1,031. 2: GU_DE Pitch croc-effect leather belt bag $495.92.
NANNACAY Tasseled toquilla straw belt bag $236.86.
1: WANDLER Anna croc-effect leather belt bag $702.25. 2: WANDLER Anna lizard-effect leather belt bag $493.54.
YUZEFI Lola color-block textured-leather belt bag $450.59.
WANT Hang It Up Belt Bag $20.00.
Cube Bag
A popular shape found in many online shopping brands is the cube. These bags are a cute, modern alternative to the standard rectangle clutch bag.
MONTUNAS Stelis acrylic and silk-satin tote $450.59.
1: MONTUNAS Vanda acetate and silk-satin shoulder bag $495.92. 2: CAROLINA SANTO DOMINGO Eva Box tasseled wood clutch $923.38.
1: TRADEMARK Dorthea Box croc-effect leather and suede tote $427.46. 2: STAUD Sadie leather tote $412.65.
POP & SUKI Takeout gingham wool shoulder bag $434.86.
CULT GAIA Eos marbled acrylic tote $473.72.
Bucket Bag
Not only do Bucket Bags look adorably stylish, they can actually fit some of your race day junk in them.
Also, I saw my Insta crush @blaireadiebee carrying a bucket bag, so now I want one too- said in creepy girls voice from Mean Girls.
1: STAUD Bissett mini croc-effect leather bucket bag $473.72. 2: STAUD Bissett mini croc-effect leather bucket bag $473.72.
Simon Miller Bonsai 15 mini cracked-leather bucket bag $549.59.
MONTUNAS Trellis Lirio rope-trimmed acetate and linen tote $556.99.
1: STAUD Moreau mini leather and macramé bucket bag $353.57. 2: STAUD Moreau leather, PVC and macramé bucket bag $412.65.
CULT GAIA Olivia acrylic and leather bucket bag $434.86.
1: JOHANNA ORTIZ Tasseled striped woven straw tote $526.46. 2: ROSANTICA Lucy tasseled beaded bucket bag $580.12.
Feathers
I am loving the texture and fun a feather trim can bring to an outfit and what better way to add it than in your bag.
EMILY LEVINE Tribbie embellished satin clutch $412.92.
1: LOEFFLER RANDALL Zadie feather and leather tote $500.30. 2: SIMONE ROCHA Flower feather-trimmed satin tote $908.58.
ATTICO Feather-trimmed beaded satin pouch $504.25.
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.
CULT GAIA Cora mini bamboo tote $190.60.
ROSANTICA Bead and crystal embellished gold-tone shoulder bag $1,373.97.
1: ASOS DESIGN beaded boxy clutch bag with removable contrast pouch $45. 2: ROSANTICA Patti beaded tote $289.60.
1: ROSANTICA Zarina beaded wicker backpack $824.38. 2: PrettyLittleThing beaded mini bag with resin handle in brown $56.
ROSANTICA Billie tasseled beaded clutch $824.38.
1: Heart Bead Bag – Ivory $79.99 USD. 2: FARRAH + SLOANE Beaded Bridal Bag $79.00.
Unique Shapes
These bags have no name, no identity….sigh. But they should! It’s always fun discovering something unique and new.
BY FAR Jane crystal-embellished silk-satin clutch $931.71.
STAUD Alice croc-effect leather tote $488.52.
KAYU Jane rattan clutch $373.45.
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.
EMILY LEVINE Dumpling knotted striped silk-blend tote $412.92.
THE ROW Wristlet knotted satin clutch $1,747.74.
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!
Pineapple raffia bag $179.95.
1: Corallina Two-Tone Woven Raffia Bag AUD 760. 2: Carolina Santo Domingo M’O Exclusive Corallina Raffia Bag AUD 795.
SOPHIE ANDERSON Caba leather-trimmed raffia tote $484.13.
Raffia Mini Pom Pom Bag in Pink $125.00.
Garden Route Clutch, $45; anthropologie.com
Crocodile Print
Who doesn’t love a good croc print? The subtle texture of this leather gives it an expensive look. It can be worn in S/S or A/W.
BY FAR Annie croc-effect leather shoulder bag $809.58.
GU_DE Demi Lune croc-effect leather shoulder bag $1,000.18.
BY FAR Ball lizard-effect leather tote $755.92.
1: REJINA PYO Olivia croc-effect leather tote $747.58. 1: REJINA PYO Olivia croc-effect leather tote $747.58.
Animal Print
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.
Bendigo $90.
Ava Half Moon Clutch Bag Leopard/Yellow Gold AU$52.00.
RAG & BONE Dwight leopard-print calf hair and leather belt bag $500.30.
I hope you enjoyed my personal favourite picks and are filled with inspo for your next outfit! Let your accessories shine!
What is your favourite bag trend this season?
