In order to stop myself ordering the silver Whistles Skirt...

... I thought it would be an excellent idea to just have a think about summer bags.  Now I don't need a summer bag.  Well, when I say I don't "need" I have been toying with the idea of some nude strappy sandals for nights out and, as I've said a million times, the easiest way to put an outfit together without thinking is to have matching shoes and bag.

So a nude clutch bag would definitely be an idea and instead of a clutch bag that I can just use for night time only, for years I've been after a bag that can double up as a little day bag - ideally to wear cross body and also to use in the evening. 

Idea one.  Idea two comes back to summer sandals.  The quest is ongoing for rust/tan sandals to go with my Chloe bag - as well as the Russell & Bromley ones go from the other day, they just don't float my boat for nearly £100 (faint) - but benchmarking that idea, maybe it would be just easier to find a pair of sandals I really like and invest in another Summer bag (and keep the Chloe for A/W - this is pure conjecture, I adore that bag and will be using it regardless)   I appreciate that we're going in totally the wrong direction - do I really need a silver skirt though... blogging licence here peeps.

I'm thinking white.  Just throwing it out there - black was such a great plan for me last year and what other colour goes with everything, but white.   And what would be more summery than a white bag (I did have one years and years ago and loved it and used it for about 10 years and that was in London!)  

Alternatively, we can use this as an excuse to check out some gratuitous bag porn.  I have just booked a night away in Bicester in May with the girls (too excited) and so a purchase (if I find a perfect one) may wait till then, but in the meantime, I'm sure I'm not the only one who loves to just have a look at what's on offer bag wise this S/S (chances of me actually buying one aren't really high but the great thing about writing a blog is that its a great excuse to window shop) 

And it kept me away from the Whistles site and that silver skirt (I really can't quite justify it on the school run I fear....)

I had intended this to be a focused blog - "be surgical" as The Husband says if we ever go shopping together - but there are so many lovely bags out there, I have decided this is going to be a free for all of bag gorgeousness.  The theme is going to be bags that you can use both during the day and for evenings out. (hopefully....!) 

Starting with what i think is one of the best nude clutches out there although failing at the first hurdle as you'd be pushed to use this during the day.  Unless you live on Long Island or in The Hamptons.  Am currently catching up on episodes of Revenge and they all swan around all day in dresses and clutch bags.

ASOS Leather Weave clutch in nude £35

Staying with the totally not on brief (but I promise it gets better), I had to include this one as it's so stunning and I can't believe it's leather and only £65.  I think it looks vintage - would be perfect with silver shoes, cream, grey or pale tan.  Or even snakeskin.  And looking at it in further detail, I'd go so far to say as gold.

Dune Bailie leather clutch handbag in champagne £65







I know this Tory Burch works as well as a clutch or a cross body as I have the leopard print version (I got mine from Bicester though at less than half this price).  Very very few navy bags around. 

Tory Burch Night Sky Logo bag £295. 


And the only one white ones in the bunch. 

Sophie Hulme White Mini Envelope Bag £295 (needless to say I don't like it *that*  much) 


Kenzo Tortoiseshell clutch in blanco £235  This one, if the strap was actually long enough to go cross body, may well go on my shortlist.  I have more than a soft spot for this one (and obviously I could then justify some new tortoiseshell sunglasses as well?  You see, a sad slippery slope....) 



Moving onto proper cross body bags now which could also double up as clutches.
Pale grey from ASOS - Leather Cross Body Bag with triple compartment in embossed snake £45


This would definitely look better if she put something in it.....



and a tan this one is in the sale for £33.50




Love the shade of this and the shape.  Now is probably a good idea to say that there is a bag style that I don't get.  The oversized clutch that looks like a laptop bag.  Totally plain - just big & rectangular.  A couple of years ago I did buy a fabulous ponyskin leopard print one from Zara which I thought was ace and until I brought it home and The Husband said he liked my new laptop bag.  Great.  That shape for me will now forever be known as wrong. 

It's this sort of shape but the strap over elevates this one to pretty perfect for me.  If I needed a tan bag.

ASOS leather clutch in tan £35






Similar shape and style but with a modern twist to it.  This would look fab with either grey or black shoes (and of course you could easily do any shoes but if we're just amusing my matchy matchy obsession...) 

ASOS Leather Oversized clutch with seatbelt clasp £45




There's also a suede cobalt blue version £45




Foldover bags are hugely popular and work so well as a clutch bag and a cross body bag (Anya Hindmarch has done some fabulous ones for years) but this from Oasis, in leather is a complete bargain. 

Oasis Celeste Foldover bag in orange £40



Also available in tan 



Mint Velvet also have a gorgeous foldover clutch. 

Mink Emily Clutch bag £79 This would work fabulously with silver shoes.  Or grey or taupe.  Or any colour to be fair as it's such a neutral shade.



 
I love the Hayley bag from John Lewis - this is a great option if you like the style of the Maxi Zip Anya Hindmarch bags but not the price tag.  Great summer colour. 

Watermelon Hayley Bag from John Lewis in leather  £69




This is diddy and cute but simply far too small for the plethora of tat I feel the need to cart around with me. 

ASOS Leather Mini Cross Body bag with front luggage tag £35




Another cream one from John Lewis and I know that they definitely have matching sandals for these as I've featured them already! 

Kin by John Lewis Inga Cross body bag £49



Or in a grey £49



Tophandle bags are ideal for both day and night.  And for occasions as well (so long as they're not satchel size obviously) 

ASOS Leather tophandle bag with contrast side panels £65






And in a lovely blue colourblock shade £65




If you're after a paler blue then this from Hobbs looks so so much better in the flesh.  Sturdy, excellent quality, really beautiful.  Can highly recommend.  Looks gorgeous with navy and summer pastels or shades of grey and taupe. (oh and tan - I love pale blue and tan) 

NW3 Wakefield bag in tan £129 






Snakeprint is gorgeous - loads of flat and heeled sandals as well as courts out there (not to mention skater shoes....) and this is great day to night shape from Hobbs.

Hobbs Square Handle Brooke Leather handbag £249



Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis have two stunning tophandle bags which would be great for day and night - perfect Goldilocks size - not too big and not too small. 

Ennismore Small Top handle satchel bag £155



And I love love love this.  Gorgeous in real life as well.  

Somerset by Alice Temperley Ambrosden Grab Bag £155




Coming to the end now and I have to say this is probably my favourite of the lot (first nude woven clutch from ASOS is definitely second, third is Kenzo bag).  Unfortunately I simply cannot justify another tan bag. I can however, completely vouch for the quality of Marc by Marc Jacobs bags.  I used mine today again - coming up to 8 years old and it gets dragged out every year.  A great designer brand at not the same foolish prices as some. 

Marc by Marc Jacobs Sylvie Tote bag with Shoulder strap £440







And just throwing this in at the end as it's ridiculously impractical but stunningly beautiful.  More like a piece of art than a handbag.  I doubt I could even fit my phone in it. 

Shell Clutch bag from Plumo £110





The other far easier alternative of course, is to get the cheap as chips but utterly fantastic looking nude weave clutch from ASOS with the cheaper strappy nude sandals.  And then look for some stone sandals to go with my Anya bag.  That would definitely make more sense.  Right.  A plan is starting to form...... (fear not I have not neglected my rust/tan sandal seach - there is still a whole host of fugliness I have to look at!)

Today, the 9yr old went to work with The Husband, I took the boys to football and then bombed up to London to meet them both for lunch - total treat just the three of us.   Kitchen floor is being partially dug up so it was McD's for tea and home with three very tired small children. 

The 5yr old was hilarious when I put my sweatshirt on today.  "Mummy, you have a Batman top on..." he says, with nothing but pure admiration.  Go me.  As The Husband points out, how is this better than being a Ninja Turtle (green Topshop coat fiasco if anyone remembers.)   Whatevs - nothing is putting me off this jumper.  I love it.