Summer — a season of gaiety and spontaneity; a time when life really is a beach! Well, if you’re properly kitted out for it, that is. You see, in a season when all you really want to be wearing is as little as possible, dressing for whatever plans a balmy summer’s day throws your way can be pretty challenging. It’s all very well to want to leave the house with little more than your phone, cards and keys, but rushing home to get ready for impromptu evening plans is a bit of buzzkill — and anyone leaving home during the summer months without an industrial supply of factor 50+ needs a severe talking to.
Indeed, as the savvy among you will already know, the secret to a successful summer is the perfect bag — one that’ll hold all you need to carry you through a day by the sea, a night on the town, and the morning after in style. As fundamental an accessory as a beach-to-bar-to-bed bag may be, though, choosing from the almost-infinite options is no mean feat. Lucky for you, we called upon some of the best minds in the biz — buyers from the likes of Matches Fashion, Net-A-Porter, Selfridges and Browns — to impart their wisdom. From Bottega Veneta Andiamos to Dragon Diffusion totes; Loewe raffia baskets to MM6 Maison Margiela Japanese bags, these are the must-have bags of the summer.
Heather Gramston, Senior Head of Men’s and Women’s Buying at Browns
What key bag trends have you noticed over the course of this year? What do you think is driving them?
In line with the overall shift to a more minimal aesthetic, our customer is really engaging with signature bag shapes from luxury brands, including Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo bag, which we recently sold out and Jil Sander Goji top handle bag also.
What are this summer’s defining it-bags?
Key to summer’s it-bags are simple, unstructured shapes that are versatile and can take you day to night throughout your travels. One of our favourites is the bandana shoulder bag from Lemaire.
What’s your personal go-to bag this summer, and why?
My trusty nylon MM6 Japanese tote bag is my summer go-to that I wear both in London and also plan on taking beachside when I travel to Greece this summer.
Cassie Smart, Head of Womenswear at Matches Fashion
What are your top tips for anyone considering a summery accessories investment?
Raffia — if you haven’t yet invested, Loewe is a good go to. The prices are good and the shapes are stylish. I love when I see people using raffia through trans-seasonal periods, wearing it with knits and trenches. Another great bag for this is Dragon Diffusion, especially the dark brown, all the shapes are stylish and so adaptable, and effortlessly make a silhouette look chic and luxurious. I’ve been wearing mine for the last five years; it’s travelled a lot with heavy use on many buying trips and is still in perfect condition. It’s the best investment I’ve made and I wear it throughout the year.
What are this summer’s defining it-bags?
Dragon Diffusion Santa Croce or tote styles — this season, in particular, they’re flying out as soon as stock hits the site. Loewe baskets still remain strong and are always a good investment. The Row Park Tote and Margaux — they’re just perfection and they look so good with a pared back cotton boxer short and shirt combo with a blazer
What’s your personal go-to bag this summer, and why?
The larger size shoulder strap Bottega Veneta Sardine bag in dark brown. I always like a point of interest when choosing my bags, and the gold hardware does this. However, the soft silhouette tote feel it gives off makes it super relaxed and wearable.
Libby Page, Market Director at Net-A-Porter
What key bag trends have you noticed over the course of this year?
It seems like the 90s silhouettes are here to stay for another year — practical, chic and effortless as they always were. Highlights include the crescent shapes and shoulder bags, as championed by quiet luxury 90s vibe heros, The Row. Our customers are showing an interest in investing in timeless, less seasonally driven, super luxe items. However, for us at NET-A-PORTER, this is not a trend or a new wave, rather a shopping mindset that our trailblazing shoppers have always had.
What are your top tips for anyone considering a summery accessories investment?
Raffia is a great way to integrate luxury accessories into your wardrobe, with some accessible investment price points to complete the perfect summer look. Natural textures and varieties of novelty shapes continue to dominate the SS23 trends. At NET-A-PORTER we have seen this become a truly timeless summer staple across accessories. From crossbody and tote bags to espadrilles and sun hats, we’ve covered raffia from head-to-toe. I’m constantly thinking about those runway styles from Loewe, Isabel Marant, Valentino and Gabriela Hearst from February’s runway shows; each made me so inspired for the summer season.
What are this summer’s defining it-bags?
For me, it’s The Row N/S tote as a wardrobe staple, the Khaite Alessia shoulder bag in its effortless hammock shape, and the Loewe Goya puffer bag in that amazing yellow shade, which for me as a neutralist is truly ground-breaking.
Since the launch of Clio Peppiatt to our Vanguard program, I’m seeing her styles everywhere. The craftsmanship of the hand-beading is simply perfection, and our customers are showing a real appetite for Clio’s silhouettes to complete a fun summer evening look.
Jack Cassidy, Accessories Director at Selfridges
What key bag trends have you noticed over the course of this year?
We have found customers are drawn to our evolving edit of Reselfridges bags; they can purchase rare archive pieces alongside styles brands have discontinued, be it a 1920s Goyard wardrobe trunk or the Celine Macadam canvas. We also had great success with iconic styles from Gucci’s Tom Ford era and vintage Chanel; the styles with exciting shapes and materiality especially, are selling out as soon as they hit the store.
What are this summer’s defining it-bags?
Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo, meaning “let’s go”, is the gift that keeps giving. Matthieu Blazy has created this season’s wish list bag, and I loved it the minute I saw it in the SS23 runway showroom. It’s now the fastest-growing bag family in Bottega Venetta, and I am obsessed with the large size in chocolate brown — a perfect work or overnight bag. It combines beauty, versatility and craftsmanship, Bottega Veneta’s DNA. It’s not quite a beach or summer piece per se, but it is a timeless bag you will treasure and enjoy for years.
Also, the Alaïa Le Cœur heart-shaped bag now comes in various colours and is a fun summer style. The new nude, lemon and pale pink tones feel fresh and are great for a summer occasion such as a wedding. The Alaïa accessories have evolved enormously under Pieter Mulier’s direction. There are lots of great new styles from the SS24 runway show too.
What’s your personal go-to bag this summer, and why?
I am currently deciding which Loewe Puzzle Tote to buy, and the large size in Khaki or Tan is coming out on top! I like that it’s unlined, light, refined and versatile.
Celenie Seidel, Senior Womenswear Lead at Farfetch
What key bag trends have you noticed over the course of this year?
I’m intrigued by the contrast between two very key, yet very opposing trends. The first is the resurgence of ultra ladylike, hard/structured bags from brands like Prada and Ferragamo; the second being the super soft furries showcased by Khaite and Burberry, a trend that has also extended to the shoe world. In a sense, I feel like these opposing trends somewhat capture the hybrid lifestyle we are still experiencing, the two modes we still find ourselves operating in.
What are your top tips for anyone considering a summery accessories investment?
There’s something about summer — specifically in a vacation context — where everything about your environment and your overall experience is different to your day-to-day existence. It’s quite a fun moment to break out of your own mould and take a leap with a piece that the ‘usual you’ may not normally do. Your sense of adventure more easily extends to the way you’re choosing to dress, and in a foreign context you can be another version of yourself — a fun new summer accessory will perfectly offset the tourist T-shirt you’ll inevitably purchase.
What are this summer’s defining it-bags?
Interestingly, more ladylike styles have unexpectedly crept into vacation style this summer: more structured leather styles like the Miu Miu Arcadie are still small and cute enough to not feel out of place within the context of a holiday wardrobe. As always, Prada’s raffia styles have also dominated the arms of many in the warmer months.”
The Vestiare Collective styling team
What are your top tips for anyone considering a summery accessories investment?
To have the most comfort and practicality as well as timelessness, we think an XXL bag is a good investment. Perhaps an understated one that embodies the quiet luxury trend — something from Celine, The Row or a classic basket bag from Loewe. This will fit all the essentials you’ll need for the workday plus a pair of shoes for the evening, or, if worn on holiday, a swimsuit for a quick dip and even a sweater for chilly evenings.
What are this summer’s defining it-bags?
If you’re after something that channels the Y2K trend, then definitely the Fendi Baguette — perhaps something with a bit of glitter to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw. Another option would be Nano 1969 from Paco Rabanne. If you’re after a basket bag, which have been big this summer, you can go either for a classic Celine tote or the Loewe Anagram Basket Bag
What’s your personal go-to bag this summer, and why?
The Cahu Bag in green — for the office as well as for holidays!