The handbag trends to covet, now
This season’s handbag styles are brilliant for injecting a touch of newness into your autumn wardrobe
A great handbag can make your outfit. Lisa Ferrie, Partner & Senior Accessories Designer, knows this only too well, which is why she strives to deliver the most arresting styles while ensuring practicality. Here, she introduces this autumn’s key styles – ranging from a flap-top bucket to a diminutive, oval crossbody – all perfect for punctuating a winter coat.
The alphabet pouch
If you’re regularly swapping handbags or forever scrambling around to find your keys, a pouch – or ‘pochette’ – is the answer. ‘It’s perfect for stashing the essentials,’ says Lisa. ‘You can fit a phone, your keys and a lipstick in there and the wrist strap means it also works well as a clutch.’ And let’s not forget the gold embossed initial in the bottom corner: a pleasing, personalised touch. They also make a great gift.
The hoop-top handle
A handbag’s new star feature is its handle. ‘We’ve added more hardware this season, so there are some interesting fastenings and resin hoop handles, which feel really nice in your hands,’ explains Lisa. The ladylike Keira style is distinguished by its tonal hoop, and can be worn as a shoulder or crossbody thanks to its adjustable strap.
The statement silhouette
‘We always look at form and shape when designing,’ says Lisa. ‘I love the quirky lemon shape of the Tilda bag, and because it has gussets, it functions really well.’ The Tilda sits alongside the Emilia, a push-lock bucket rendered in bright shades which has an envelope-like flap and a round base.
It’s the internal details as much as the external touches that make all the difference to the success of a bag. Lisa points out the high-quality grading of the leather and how many styles are bonded with suede inside rather than synthetic lining for a luxe feel. The pockets and compartments are also carefully considered to make life that bit easier when trying to locate your essentials. Beautiful both inside and out – that’s the winning formula of a great bag.