The bags you need... right now!
What comes in many shapes, sizes and colours and impossible to live without? Bags! Be it for your holiday, a special occasion or work, our selection accompanies us on every adventure.
We change our bag as often as the weather and in order to keep up with the ever-changing seasons, our womenswear buyers have picked the very best of SS19’s bag trends. From belt bags to totes big enough to live in, this SS19 has delivered a must-have selection of arm companions from the likes of Burberry, Chloé and Fendi.
Find your new perfect partner with our edit of the hottest styles of the season that will be much more than a fleeting summer romance.
Smart Belt Bag
Burberry - Leather Belted TB Bag
Saint Laurent - Mini YSL Leather Belt Bag
Wandler - Ivory Anna Croc Embossed Belt Bag
The belt bag came back into our wardrobes a few seasons ago with the 90s revival that also reintroduced platform trainers and shell suits. For SS19 we say goodbye to the nylon ‘fanny packs’ and welcome a luxe version in structured leathers and suedes. Taking popular messenger bag shapes and reworking them into the belt version, we thank Burberry, Saint Laurent and Wandler for these elevated cross-bodies that leave us hands-free whilst we are busy running the show.
Natural Instinct
Cult Gaia - Cream Zaha Bamboo Tote Bag
Loewe - Mini Brown Gate Raffia Shoulder Bag
Aranaz - Brown Crab Wicker Clutch Bag
This summer we are embracing the natural world and adding wicker, raffia and bamboo into our bag collection. The ultimate getaway style, these rustic bags are the perfect addition to your favourite summer dress. During our holidays we become a pool dwelling creature so it seems fitting to carry around the handmade wicker crab clutch from Aranaz. For city breaks, we can’t live without our raffia cross-body from Loewe and no evening soirée would be complete without the must-have bamboo tote from Cult Gaia.
XXL Tote
Jil Sander - Large Sombrero Tote Bag
Simon Miller - Brown Tent Neoprene Tote Bag
Jimmy Choo - Large Marianne Raffia and Velvet Tote Bag
We have seen oversized t-shirts, supersize sneakers and now we get to carry all our essentials in our XXL tote bag. We have a lot of important ‘stuff’ and when the time calls for it to be carried on our person, we thank the bag goddesses for the giant tote. Whether you’re packing for a weekend away or planning a number of outfit changes at a party, we are reaching Mary Poppins level with this larger-than-life accessory. Keep your valuables locked down in the secret pouch within Jil Sander’s Sombrero tote, have a tactical nap in the huge Simon Miller Tent bag and store all your Lang heels in Jimmy Choo’s Marianne.
Born in the '90s
Burberry - Giant Check Print Tote
Prada - Brown Manuelle Leather Bag
Fendi - Mon Tresor Mini Bucket Bag
With the ‘90s resurgence still gathering momentum with shoes, bags and logos from the archives continuing to reappear on the runway, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to a retro piece. With prints, materials and shapes that instil a feeling of nostalgia, designers are getting pretty playful with their old styles. Fendi has added logo embossed PVC to their mini duffle, Prada has created an iconic saddle style in the form of the Manuelle, and Burberry has gone wild with the classic tartan across their range.
Clearly Visible
Staud - White Frida Tote Bag
Boyy - Burgundy Bobby PVC Leather Tote
Simone Rocha - Transparent Beaded PVC Tote Bag
We have seen the PVC accessories trend hitting runways for the past two seasons and we can’t help but want to flash the contents of our handbag with a see-through piece. With so many designers offering a clear version of their classic bag silhouettes for SS19 we are ready to arm ourselves with these transparent styles. Try out the new Frida tote from Staud’s collection of best-selling PVC bags, focus on the outline with the Bobby from Boyy and keep it crystal clear with Simone Rocha.
Classic Black
Chloé - Black C Ring Leather Shoulder Bag
Saint Laurent - Small Black Manhattan Tote Bag
Telfar - Black Medium Vegan Leather Shopper
Probably our most trusted ally, a classic black handbag gets the most use and is our go-to regardless of the outfit. As it’s the one we rely on most, investing in a staple black bag has to be one of the hardest decisions with so many to choose from. This season we are keeping it simple with the new C Ring shoulder bag from Chloé, smart and stylish with the Saint Laurent Manhattan tote and reaching cult status with the vegan leather shopper from Telfar.
One To Watch
Gu_De - White Water Leather and PVC Shoulder Bag
Gu_De - Beige Posy Drawstring Leather Bag
Gu_De - Green Croc Effect Leather Shoulder Bag
At Browns we are constantly welcoming new and exciting brands to our repertoire and this season we want to introduce you to Korean bag brand Gu_De. Inspired by the 70s, these contemporary styles use sumptuous materials, feminine silhouettes and a trademark thick chain feature. Combining most of this season’s trends - whether you prefer a touch of PVC, a duffle bag, or a simple black style, Gu_De has them all.
Words by Alexandra Oliver