Luggage style bags

We are seeing bags get a lot boxier in shape. These miniature luggage style bags are nostalgic and quite practical at the same time. Here are a few examples.

Funny bags

There have been a lot of funny bags going around lately, this is good to see as i think a bit of humour goes a long way in fashion.

Here is a classic baguette clutch! or not.

Transparent bags

Transparent bags are still going strong. In the trend of exposing all our bits and pieces for everyone to see, clear vinyls and plastics are a key new material for accents and the main body materials. Try combining leather and tinted vinyl for an updated look.

PERSONAL BAGS

The latest trend for personalisation and customisation seems to be growing and also expanding across lots of bag categories. From luxury to the intensely personal, we take a look at some great examples.

This school rucksack from East London bag company,  GOODORDERING with its retro style pairs perfectly with the iconic Smily Face button badges shown above.

Of course Chanel's 'home made' style ruck sack from their SS14 catwalk show shows how extremely high end fashion can be inspired by the street.

This red clutch bag featuring oversized perforations comes with 80 attachable 'scrabble' style tiles which you can use to write a message on the bag, or you can just spell out your name. What i like about this bag is that it actually looks quite fashionable rather than overtly home made. The lettering is quirky and understated and the customisation method is simple and effective. There are more bag styles in this range but i think this one words the best, find out more by visiting We are Selecters website.

I have always absolutely LOVED charlotte olympia, and if i could afford one, it would definitely be on my 'buy myself a birthday present list'. This 'be mine' perspex clutch is on netaporter and features a cute personal message inspired by the retro sweets.

However, i'm much more of a fan of her crafty hand-embroidered book clutches and mini-bags such as this one above 'The Fog Boat Story'. I think they are really timeless and fun.

I think the glamour in faux customisation started with Stella McCartney ss14 (i think) where she designed bags and apparel with wonky beaded drawings. The elements are seeminly mismatched and misplaced like it has been done as a birthday card by a 3 year old. This naieve illustration is so cute and works really well on evening clutch bags. And of course was unashamedly copied by the likes of H&M, zara etc. Well, why wouldn't you! 

Here is a slighly more cleaned up version by Giuseppe Zanotti, you can really see how this trend has developed from clunky and naive attempts at personalisation through to more slick renditions of playful decoration. The trend of customised and personalised bags will defintely continue as well see technology allow the quick and affordable techniques to make this happen such as 3d printing and short run processes become more common place.

Check out more about bags on our facebook page. by the same name.

Cute bags with faces

I started a bit of a collection of bags with faces. Here are a few.

Retro Travel Bags

I can't get enough of these retro travel bags from brands like samsonite and american tourister. What are the equivalents of these bags now that we will look back on with nostalgia?

From the piping to the chevron on the zip closure the details are really nice, it also helps that this bag is in great condition. This one was found on Etsy, one of my favourite places to find these kinds of bags.

Check out this tumblr blog featuring nostalgia and inspiration from this era.

http://goodordering.tumblr.com/

FLORAL PAISLEY SHOPPER

Its a beautiful summer's day and i'm feeling floral. I love this vintage floral shopper. The proportions of this are just perfect and i love the simple clasp detail in the centre.

The floral paisley is embroidered onto this heavy fabric and finished off with simple red leather binding.

The shape is wide at the base and narrows to the top. I also really love the flat zip pocket with metal zip on the front panel.

The inside of the bag shows where the handles are lovingly attached and the additional inside pocket.

The bag has a home made feel about it, even though it probably is not home made. Even the little metal corner details are very dinky and cute. This is the kind of bag i can imagine a cool grandmother with oversized round sunglasses wearing slung over the forearm on her way to the shops in West London.

Goodordering backpack

Designed in London and based on retro travel bags, this backpack designed by Jacqui Ma is a mix between modern and the retro. It has a separate padded laptop compartment and a huge array of pockets on the front of the bag and inside. The main compartment opens up really wide to make it easy to get things in and out. It comes in four colours - maroon, forest green, rusty orange and chestnut brown.

You can buy this bag at www.goodordering.com

MERCHANT & MILLS OIL SKIN BAG

I like the narrow handles of this bag and the inbalance (or balance) of proportion. The simple oil skin canvas bag is accented by thick but narrow quality leather shoulder straps.You can buy this bag here at the Merchant & Mills shop. They have a real bricks and mortar shop in East Sussex. I will keep this in mind for my next road trip. This bag retails for £48 not bad.

CLEAR CLUTCH

You can have a bit of fun with fashion. Check out this clear clutch with a bit of a child-hood twist. Fashion meets fantasy. I really love it and the current trend towards transparent materials in accessories. You would hardly want to put anything inside though. Just a few crucial fashion items.