There’s no better way to ring in a new year than with a slew of the very best designer handbags, and luckily for us, the offering for spring/summer 2022 is just gorgeous.
That doesn’t mean they’ll go out of trend later this year though, oh no. If you choose the right style, your arm candy will transcend trends so that you’ll find yourself reaching for it for years to come. It is a big purchase yes, but one you won’t regret.
A safe investment is the classic oversized tote, which never really went out of fashion, though it’s having a bit of a renaissance right now. More is more this season, so go for an XXL size that will hold all your belongings and then some. I particularly love Loewe’s KL Flamenco tote and Stand Studio’s Assante quilted faux leather bag, both excellent everyday classics.
For something a little smaller, try the crossbody bag or shoulder, which are consistently popular styles on the likes of Net-A-Porter, Browns and MatchesFashion. Bottega Veneta’s Cassette, Gucci’s Horsebit and Saint Laurent’s Manhattan are crowd pleasers that will stand the test of time.
That’s not to say you can’t dabble in a trend or two, after all, fashion is meant to be fun – and for SS22 I’m seeing plenty of fun styles.
Think bold colours (everything from neon to primary colours), fun textures (shearling is huge right now) and plenty of wow-enducing details ranging from chunky chains to tassels and sequins.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the latest designer wares, that’s not an issue. There is a plethora of contemporary designer brands offering handbags for £400 or under. I’m personally a big fan of Manu Atelier, Oroton, Elleme, STAUD and GANNI for everyday staples as well as fun going-out bags.
Keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best designer handbags.
CARA Tote Bag in Black Cream, £560 at Agneel
Simple and understated, CARA is a relaxed, yet versatile, tote bag made for the everyday, with a semi-structured shape that is supple and spacious and features an A4 compatible large main compartment for your laptop or iPad and daily essentials.
The Resort Bag, £525 at Aspinal
Handcrafted from woven chevron raffia complemented by full-grain leather, the structured envelope silhouette features four pockets, giving a functional edge to the compact yet spacious design.
LARGE CELLA BAG IN FUCHSIA PINK LEATHER, £457.39 at Folklore
The Folklore Neon Capsule collection was born in the midst of quarantine. Haya Alabdulkareem, Founder & Designer of Folklore was so immersed with social media influencers and the subculture of Instagram. It gave Haya a nostalgic feeling of her childhood in the late 90s and early 2000s when going out doing whatever she wanted, was essentially out of her hands but in the hands of her parents. This sense of total freedom was for grownups and has encouraged Haya to create this collection with the neon colours and clean aesthetic to illustrate this nostalgic feeling and merge between digital subculture and fashion.
Strathberry Safari bag, £395
Inspired by the founder’s passion for minimalist architecture and beautiful yet functional objects, the Safari bag plays with carefully balanced proportions and sinuous geometric lines. Urban cool and fashion-forward, this shape was designed for the modern, conscious woman, who appreciates the beauty of craftsmanship and carefully thought- out luxury.
AMI Paris large Accordéon tote bag, £875 at Farfetch
The L’Accordéon is the latest signature by Alexandre Mattiussi, a true object of design. The boxy yet spacious silhouette is large enough to carry around day-to-day essentials whilst adding versatility with its hidden shoulder strap.
During its design process, the shape of the sides reminded Mattiussi of the bellows and movements of an accordion, consequently named after the musical instrument whilst paying homage to its Parisian origins. The bag epitomises effortless elegance of the Parisian house’s wardrobe.
The L’Accordéon is available in timeless black, forest green and burgundy and two sizes, small and large.
Lurex Happy mini bag, £1,450 at LANVIN
It seemed only natural that Creative Director, Bruno Sialelli chose the Happy bag to express the
elegance of Parisian chic returning to Lanvin with its complete modernisation.
The faux-classic features of the Happy bag are the perfect reflection of the Parisian hallmarks of
frivolity and style, with its rectangular shape, two pockets and gold, double galvanized clasp, and
its quilted lambskin leather.
For wearing casually over-the-shoulder or across the chest, the wide ribbon chain ends in a bow,
like a present to treat oneself with every day. The emblem of the fashion house founded by Jeanne
Lanvin, the mother and daughter medallion is attached to the bag like a discreet talisman.
Citrus Leather Cross Body Bag, £750 at J&M Davidson
The Medium Fringe Carnival Bag has become a best-selling icon for J&M Davidson. This Citrus version is resplendent with new alluring design details and is crafted from our soft, signature Spanish calf leather in fresh seasonal colours. Small silver studs trim the centre of the bag, the long nappa fringing extends beyond the base of the bag creating enticing movement and the additional of a short, chunky silver chain handle means it can now be carried three ways: held by the chain handle, worn over the shoulder with its removable long leather strap, or conveniently crossbody.
Sera Tall Tote Mini, £370 at Mlouye
The new Sera Tall Tote is designed to carry your daily essentials, and packs a sartorial punch with its covetable spring hues.
Devon Medium Logo Bucket Bag, £440 at MICHAEL Michael Kors
The Devon is a tough-luxe spin on the otherwise timeless bucket bag silhouette. Showcasing our iconic initials and logo hardware, its drawstring top opens to reveal multiple card slots and a sizeable interior to store the essentials.
Medium Palmellato-leather la Prima clutch bag, £890 at Giorgio Armani
Medium clutch bag from the La Prima family made of palmellato leather, featuring a zip closure and two different adjustable shoulder straps with snap hooks. The item can be worn alone or combined with the mini clutch bag, mixing colours and shoulder straps to create ever-new accessories.
Small kenny bag in smooth leather, £1,650 at Givenchy
For SS22 Matthew M Williams has designed a new bag silhouette, the Kenny Bag. A true day-to-evening fashion statement, the Kenny is a supple bourse-style handbag that nods to the evening bags of the early 2000s but is anchored in the here and now thanks to the Creative Director’s vision and signature flair for hardware. The Kenny comes in a range of dark and more summery hues and is ornamented with MMW’s characteristic hardware handles and love locks.
Alex Rivière x Marina Raphael ALEX bag, £615
Marina Raphael and creative director Alex Rivière have joined forces to design a handbag that is the cosmopolitan companion of dreams. Envisioned by two women always on the move, this is the bag for women on the go.
The two creatives bonded over their desire to fashion pieces that are designed around all facets of a woman’s lifestyle. The ALEX bag is a sophisticated and chic ode to practicality. The philosophy behind it was simple: design a bag that could enable you to do it all.
Little Softie Coral Orange Pillow Nappa, £1,250 at Mulberry
The ‘Softie’ is a new collection that recalls elements of its heritage and celebrates British craftsmanship. This new addition to the Mulberry offering is playful and cool and explores a fresh, modern design direction, whilst also being incredibly wearable.
It comes in a variety of colours across three sizes.
OROTON Emilia Tote, £417
The Oroton Emilia Tote in Artichoke is fashioned from soft pebble leather accented with fine Brass hardware and is delicately complete with our signature foil emboss logo. This elevated tote encloses 3 main compartments and a hanging slip pocket lined in protective microfibre, providing ample storage for allocating your everyday essentials.
The Curated shoulder bag, around £250
An Australian brand with roots in Scandinavia, THE CURATED, has created an entire brand purposed on a philosophy of creating luxurious long-lasting pieces designed to elevate the everyday uniform, at honest and affordable prices.
The Origami-inspired Tote, £575 at Nanushka
This season Nanushka introduces The Origami-inspired Tote. Inspired by its eponymous art form, the bag unfolds to create a spacious silhouette, and is made of Nanushka's soft Vegan Nappa and Patent Vegan Leather - cruelty-free alternatives to leather.
Evangelie crystal bag, £860 at Marina Raphael
The perfect party bag to jazz up your wardrobe.
Hobo cat bag in denim blue lamb leather, £ 1,730 at LANVIN
Embellished with a sculptural cat handle, this hobo bag with soft and elegant lines can be carried in the hand or over the shoulder.
STAUD Grace leather bucket bag, £270 at MatchesFashion
Shaped from soft and supple tan leather, Staud's Grace bucket bag is framed with a drawstring top and a long shoulder strap or resin-beaded top handle for carry options.
Eclipse nude faux croco bag, £615 at MAESTOSO
Maestoso is an emerging brand based in Bucharest, Romania, embodying a blend of structured
simplicity and contemporary sophistication. The INFINITY Collection evokes a majestic cleanse. The golden circle represents the perfect balance the brand lives in and it's an ode to Maestoso’s new momentum and movement - as in a full-circle. It uses cactus leather, made from the leaves of the Nopal cactus, a highly sustainable, biodegradable and organic material.
Baguette bag, £2,150 at FENDI
FENDI celebrates the 2022 Spring Festival and the start of the Year of the Tiger with an exclusive Capsule Collection, which embodies the courageous, vigorous, active and enthusiastic personality of the people born in the Year of the Tiger. It includes this stunning take on the iconic Baguette.
LARGE DIOR VIBE CLASSIC BOWLING BAG, £3,950 at DIOR
Unveiled at the Dior cruise 2022 show in Athens, the Dior Vibe bag imagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri unites the world of sportswear with the Dior heritage. Conceived as a hybrid creation incorporating the codes of sneakers, this object of desire brings a touch of audacity to every silhouette under all circumstances.
Valentino Garavani Locò Bag, launching 24th January
The elongated and compact design with a retro nineties appeal, combines functionality with a contemporary feel. It features a detachable double handle and a flap with a VLogo Signature clip closure. The padded workmanship and the smooth, lacquered leather contributes to the minimal elegance of the Valentino Garavani Locò bag.
Demi-Lune bag, £1,820 at Alaïa
The Demi-Lune embodies the architectural aesthetic of Pieter Mulier's first collection. Purity of a flat crescent moon. It slips under the shoulder and nests under the body, and has been designed like a precious jewel. Sometimes decorated with bells, its leather hinge is typical of Alaïa’s clothing.
Loch print nano tote, £375, launching 26th Jan at Strathberry
An understated blend of navy, vanilla and neutral tones, the new take on classic styles beautifully complement the sublime beauty of the Scottish landscape, playing as backdrop for our latest campaign.
The Four Ring bag, £1,190 at Alexander McQueen
The Four Ring bag has been reinterpreted for the new season. Timeless and contemporary, Alexander McQueen’s Four Ring has evolved from the Jewelled Satchel and can be worn over the shoulder, crossbody or hand held.
Vosges canvas and leather bag, around £363 at Elleme
A chic take on a Parisian classic.
Manu Atelier White Kesme Mini Leather Shoulder Bag, £353 at Browns
This white Manu Atelier Kesme mini leather shoulder bag is characterised by a detachable oversized gold tone chain. With a boxy silhouette, it features a fixed top handle, magnetic snap closure and contrasting edges.
