Go big or go home

Bags.  I love big bags and I cannot lie... 

I also love small bags - a tiny (well, not tiny tiny, but tiny for the purpose of today's discussion) cross body bag is a complete must have this Spring/Summer.  

But variety is the spice of life and there are simply those occasions (especially if you have children) when you need to cart around more crud. 

Be it things that belong to the children (that will be in half term then... muuuuuum can you carry this ipad/charger/book (yeah right)/scarf/basically just my ipad) or magazines for me (that clearly never make it out of my bag but the intention is there and one day..oh one day...) - a bag that you can cart around the kitchen sink in is necessitated.

As I've mentioned, I've recently been given a large tote bag by Village England which has proven to be more useful than I could have envisaged.  Partly because it's got a cross body strap and it lies flat to your body so even when you haven't got the world and his dog in it, it hangs really well.  You'll notice how much I've been/will be using it.  

These are the perfect plane bags too.  "One handbag" = a handbag big enough to fit a weekend's worth of clothing in.  Check.  

It was also last week that I saw a couple more in Topshop and River Island and thought - maybe the oversized tote is having its day (plus I'd just booked my holiday and was getting into the hols mode.  Bag for the plane.. sorting my priorities and all that).

One thing I would say is that if it's a hobo slouchy type bag, I would recommend getting some sort of pouch to go inside, otherwise they can turn into the black hole (I'm sure I'm not the only one who's tipped their entire handbag onto the floor of the carpark trying to find their car keys?  Muttering something not entirely holy?  And yes, it's always the tampax that the kind stranger who offers to help, manages to pick up first)

So here's the one that I saw in River Island and it's amazing. Starting with black as, whilst I was once the biggest fan of the tan bag, at the moment, it's the black bags that are floating my boat (apart from a small red Gucci number of course).

Black Large Suede leather slouchy handbag £65 from River Island.  A clever idea of both suede and leather.  Plus an inner bag as well so it doesn't become the proverbial black hole.

Fringing shows no signs of abating in popularity and this is the perfect way to add jazz hands (I know I know.....you try and think of a way of saying "on trend" without sounding like a tool.  Clearly I stopped trying) to an otherwise plain outfit.  The very reason I bought mine last year and it will be worn loads again this Spring/Summer.  Keep the rest of your outfit plain and just let your bag or your feet do the talking. 

Black Suede Fringed Slouchy handbag from River Island £58

Topshop leather bags are always worth a look.

Premium Leather Shopper from Topshop £70




Black leather and suede again from Topshop £40 (loving this jumper).


An unlined, much less structured version at ASOS. 

ASOS unlined leather tote bag £32




One of my favourites though has to be the large tote from Saint Laurent.  I've had them on the blog previously in the black version but here is the red.  You all know how much I rate a red bag...

Large Leather Tote from Saint Laurent in red £590



Also saw this instore at Topshop and it's gorgeous.  Really unusual.  Plus they have in a wider selection of colours online and instore as well.

Real Suede Luggage Bag from Topshop £80




Slightly smaller if you don't want to look like you're moving out.

Leather Whipstitch Shopper from Topshop in khaki £40


A blush version from ASOS - unlined shopper £32  I have to say out of all the colours, this is the one that I think would work best with a wardrobe of neutrals.



Back to fringing with a Coachelle vibe in the burnt orange.  But it just seems to perfectly lift a black and white outfit.

Dark Orange Suede Fringed Slouchy bag from River Island £58



Grey Leather Slouchy Handbag from River Island £55



Slightly different in the woven leather from Abro.  

Abro Tote bag in brown £300





And in the pale grey. 



So are you a fan of the smaller, medium or giant bag.  I definitely have occasions when I need all three, not to mention a clutch bag.  I also go through phases of loving a particular bag and will use that for weeks, then go back to another old favourite.  I know that my tan bags that are languishing in my wardrobe will get their day again but at the moment, it's a black and red story for me. 

Still ridiculously chilly so dragging out the winter clothes yet again.  Variation on the outfit today as walking with the children this morning in the park (and the dog obviously.  I'd much rather just walk with the dog as she's the only one out of the three of them who doesn't moan and whinge incessantly.  Should be grateful I only had the two boys today as the 11yr old swanned off to Bluewater with her friend).  Then quick change and met a friend for lunch.  The joys of grown up conversation.



Black longsleeved tee - Baukjen
Grey fairisle detail jumper - H&M
Black coated skinnies - New Look
Black slouch beanie - Black
Black buckle detail boots - Toga Pulla
Black oversized scarf - Mint Velvet
Grey wellies - Ilse Jacobsen
Black Hazlemere tote bag - Village England
Black sheepskin wrist warmers - Topshop

All things remaining equal, we're off to London tomorrow.  Doing a child swap with a friend who's taking my two boys and I get her 12yr old girl.  To say I'm getting off lightly here is an understatement... However it does mean I have to spend an hour in Lush and god forbid, they should want to go to Abercrombie as well... (rethinks cunning plan which suddenly doesn't seem so cunning...) 

I'm also going to sneak a visit to Me+Em in though, fingers crossed, as well as lunch at Hix in Selfridges (best gluten free Club sandwiches in London).  In my head this will work... will I be on the gin by midday?!  Hope everyone else is enjoying their holidays.