You think you've thought of everything and then...

Kat 7/11/2013 14 Comments Edit

...you realise you haven't. No it's not another dress (lordy I am beyond bored at looking at them but having two massive fails on my hand after my giddy evening of ordering the other night - McQueen dress, no. A little too short and a little too clingy and a lot too Eastenders barmaid. Great Plains Orchid Bloom dress - stunning but me with my body dysmorphia and ordering a Medium means I've reordered in a small. Muppet)

It's a bag.

I know, I know, how on EARTH could I possibly need another bag after I've snuck in a little wonder dog in the shape of Diego (my new BFF - he will have a blog all to himself after I've done the holiday packing and yes, he is definitely coming with me on hols)

But I have neglected to remember that I am on a little jaunt without my beloved family (ignoring that little drunk person inside me doing the Riverdance in joy at being at going away on my own) and on my 5 days (5 whole days. Faint) we shall be off to some rather nice beach bars and my ancient basket which I've been dragging down to the pool with the kids, simply isn't going to cut the mustard. With my new bikinis and beach dresses, I need a new, rather more swanky bag. Otherwise it's a bit like buying a fabulous new dress (if only) and teaming it with a pair of skanky old trainers. Wrong diddly.

Now the option I do perhaps have is the cheetah print ponyskin bag I have in the very bottom photo from Zara which doesn't get as much use as it should, and just for me by the pool, it would be fine. But water (like I'm going to actually get wet when I don't have to - oh how we laughed.) and ponyskin strikes me as being a particularly moronic idea. So in the interests of research, here are what I've found to choose from.

Should also point out that the proviso was something that wasn't jaunty. Nothing with a hint of nautical. As much as I do love a denim blue and white jute stripe, my beachwear this year is slightly more eclectic. Something neutral is needed.

Starting with:-

Beach bag in dark gunmetal from FCUK now£33 Concern is that this is see through by all accounts and I carry a lot of undesirable crap around.

Pure Cotton Animal Print Canvas Bag £25 M&S I love the look of these but not sure how neutral they would be for the random array of beachy outfits I seem to have selected.

This, also from M&S, is the most stunningly gorgeous bag - probably not remotely appropriate for "the beach" (sand, suede and suncream anyone? I'm thinking nay) but it's so stylish and for a beach bag sans les enfants would fit the bill perfectly.

Autograph Panelled Shopper from M&S - £65 - leather, cotton and suede. Lush.

Large Straw Basket from The White Company now £35.

Now. If you could guarantee that carrying this beach bag would transform me into the serene, calm, crease free White Company Lady as seen in the pic below, I would buy 10 of these. Where are her screeching children, one small one hanging off her leg? Oh to have a lovely neatly packed bag as opposed to a Moshi Monsters towel dangling behind you, 3 pairs of neon googles hanging out of the top and sun cream dripping all down the side. Truth be told, I'd like to give her a sock in the chops. But I do like the bag. (which would hide all my tat quite nicely I think. Ha)

Straw Bag from Boden £23.40 This would be ideal for my new FCUK turquoise and neon ensemble. Am very tempted.

Or in a black and neon colourway now at £27.30. Perhaps this one is even better actually - more neutral and would also work with my animal print sheer kaftans and yellow and black towelling FCUK number.

Atterley Road have some great options - this is reduced now from Day Birger et Mikkelson now at £35

Whistles Snake Print canvas bag at £65

But my favourite two are definitely the ones below. This by Becksondergaard (don't try and type that after a drink or two) - £49 (ok so on reflection and on proof reading, the more I see this, the more I completely love it. Oh balls - it's not as practical as the option below. Ho hum, decisions, decisions.....)

And finally, for me (I'm ignoring anything Anya Hindmarch or Tory Burch seeing as I don't have fancy selling a kidney to buy a beach bag) the Daddy of all bags is the classic Le Pliage. I think this is what I'll probably go for as, as dull as it looks, it is (for me anyway) a completely classic bag. The fantastic thing is that is folds up (clue is in the title) that you don't have to have it as a carry on. I do in fact have a pale pink one which I've had for 12 years and have finally accepted that it's on its last legs. Whether or not I'll get the taupe or the black though.... If I did go for this, it would mean that I would have a classic beach/gym/travel bag for years and years.
Longchamp Le Pliage Large shoulder bag - £68

Longchamp Le Pliage Cosmetic Bag - £27 This is something I shall definitely be getting. The ideal bag in which to keep make up/money/phone/keys and sunscreen (assuming you don't have the kids and take half of Boots with you) that you can just shove in your large bag and whip out (to go to the bar obviously), rather than having to rake through the whole bag or drag out another handbag.

And I thought I was done. Truth be told I *may* be just having a last minute sniff around the sales online just in case that perfect little dress is out there, languishing in the 70% off section, just waiting for to adopt it and take it home (yeah right)

Moving on, here is me cracking out the holiday wardrobe in Blighty. Still attempting to straddle that line between not boiling alive and remembering an outdoor pool is Not the beach.

Oh and clearly I am rather obsessed with my new Zara sandals which I wasn't planning on keeping and bought on a whim but to which I am addicted. (the fact they happen to work perfectly with Diego is neither here not there of course)

Black with white paint splats jumpsuit - M&S
Black nappa leather thong sandals - Zara
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang
Sunglasses - Dior
Mini Antelope Charm Pendant - Bill Skinner
Gold link bracelet - Made from Whistles

Red shorts - Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply

Silky navy, white, red and black print blouse - Zara

Black nappa leather thong sandals - Zara
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang
Sunglasses - Dior
Mini Antelope Charm Pendant - Bill Skinner
Gold link bracelet - Made from Whistles