As the weather is increasingly gracing us with decent Spring days and warmer nights, there’s an insatiable need to update our wardrobes with items from the new season. Case in point: The Bag. The SS17 runways were clearly influenced by the 70s and 80s but still diversified enough to make any girl fall in love. The fashion team at GeeQuinn has selected the most prominent trends in bags for this season and has provided you with all you need to know on how to style them effortlessly.
Gym Gear Backpack
As the athleisure trend shows no signs of slowing down, designers have tapped into our appetite to stay in shape and upped the ante when it comes to looking good in athletic gear- This, of course, includes your bag. Yes, join in the omnipresent trend of the cropped top and leggings with your favourite trainers and health monitor bracelet. Opt for a full on a monochrome black outfit or choose metallic details for an extra shimmy effect. Finish your look by throwing over an oversized denim shirt, or a chunky hoodie if you’re feeling extra sporty that day. Don’t forget to pack your water, protein bar, deodorant and towel- Now you’re ready to meet the girls for coffee after your morning workout.
Cross Body Chain
One of this season absolute favourites is the cross body chain bag. We love how it can be so practical while it ever so discretely gives an extra oomph to your outfit. With festival season upon us, this bag will be your absolute life saviour. It’s large enough to hold all your essentials: small makeup case, keys, phone, a bottle of water (all that jumping around will make you feel dehydrated instantly) and your cards. Throw it over those denim shorts, or trousers if you feel uneasy about the potential mud, a plain tee, and a cropped denim vest or a long kimono for an added Coachella effect. Complete your look with leather boots or sandals embellished with crystals for your ultimate going out look.
Bucket Drawstring Bags
Think of a young Brigitte Bardot strolling around the South of France on a bicycle and you get the inspiration behind this trend. The bucket as seen by Pandora Sykes, Leandra Medine, Alexa Chung and so many other bloggers and influencers has been more than an Instagram accessory. The romanticism effect is undeniable while it can be easily incorporated into any outfit. Try a baby blue and white striped shirt with ruffles or oversized sleeves (added romanticism points there) and team it with a pair of white silky trousers and favourite espadrilles for Syke’s take on the trend. Go for a vintage va-va-voom Bardot and don a red off the shoulder dress with a ruffled hemline and complete your summer day outfit with a floppy straw hat, white kitten heels or chunky platforms and of course your SPF30 sunscreen.
Metallics/ Shiny
You can’t flip through a fashion magazine, or scroll down your Instagram feed without spotting metallics. Tassels, fringing, metallic dresses, jackets, tops, earrings and bags. The metallics ubiquitous trend is easy to pull off – you just need to be aware of hues and overall mood. A tasselled metallic clutch doesn’t look great on the beach for example. Also, you don’t want to feel like someone took you out of an 80’s teen movie. So choose your fabrics, and shapes wisely. For a casual day outfit pair a metallic bucket bag with a white blazer, jeans and metallic sandals or pointy kitten heels. For a night out, go for a boxy metallic clutch with a chain and wear it over a fringy LBD, or a twirl belted black dress and strappy heels. You may have heard that you shouldn’t mix your silver and gold which is why a metallic accessory won’t look great with earthy, golden hues so stay away from your khakis browns and mustards no matter how much you love them.
Geometric/ Sculptural
Boxy, severely geometrical bags always look uber avant-garde – almost acting as a statement bag that can hold together an entire outfit. So, if you’re that kind of girl with a very classic wardrobe that feels it’s time to spice it up – this is the bag for you. Go for a clean cut leather boxy bag in a blush pink or baby blue, and pair it wonderfully with a minimal office look or smart casual outfit. Due to the rectangular lines of the bag, the outfit will look better with equally square and polished attire. So, get your suit jacket out of the closet and pair it with skinny jeans, or cigarette pants, a crisp shirt, and put your hair in a sleek low bun. Outfit ready!
Minis
When we say minis, we don’t mean your basic petite sized clutch but a tiny Thumbelina- sized bag in the size of a card box that can only hold your lipstick and some change, smartphone optional. Anna Wintour is a real fan of this trend as she dislikes bags in general. This type of bag is ideal for the girl that means business and doesn’t have to carry her entire day essentials on her. It’s more of an accessory pocket rather than an actual bag. Pair it with your favourite party dress, and stiletto heels or opt for a floor-length skirt in a shiny salmon with a crop top and team it with an animal print mini. Two birds/ trends with one stylish stone/bag.
Fringe/ Tassels
As with metallics, tassels and fringing are omnipresent and usually, they go quite well in collaboration. Not that a tassel embellished bag necessarily needs it. We’ve noticed many variations of the fringing trend on the SS17 runways. Tassels served as add-ons, that were attached to the bag but could very well stand on their own. In other cases, tassels were blended beautifully with other materials such as suede and leather, and others were constructed by metallic material infusing a very punk-rock attitude.
When going for a tasselled bag choose the fabric wisely for the overall mood of your outfit. Suede will look great for a classic look, metallics for your night out and studs for a concert.
Jungle Overdrive
Jungle snakeskin and animal prints were a common theme amongst designers for Spring/ Summer 2017. While many opted for the print and pattern route showing off unique designs of animals on the intricately designed bags, others took the fur and placed it on the rim, handles or the entire body of the bag. Animal print and snakeskin are tricky to pull off as they can age an outfit, but employed right they can really elevate an outfit’s potential. For a classic elegant look, try a monochrome white or black outfit as your canvas emphasising on the bag’s serpentine embellishments. For a more modern look go for a 70’s hippie-inspired outfit complete with a loosely, ethereal skirt or summer dress, chunky boots or platforms and a denim jacket. Experiment with 70’s inspired accessories: bracelets with beads and feathers, gold hoops, skinny scarfs and flower pins. The world is your hippie -trippy oyster.
Round Handles
It’ s almost like there was an unspoken consensus amongst designers this year when they were contemplating handle shape options. The round, firm handle that can work as an extension of your bag as well as a chunky bracelet that happens to be attached to your bag. From gilded, circular hardware to studded versions at Miu Miu and Vuitton’s rope, the fabrics varied allowing for different styling ideas. Go for a round gold handle to accessorise your going-out party dress, and complete your look with drawstring high heel booties and a leather jacket. Go for a poppy red number to accessorise your black & white sleeveless day dress and ballet flats for a casual smart outfit. Amp up your office look and head straight to the bar for afternoon drinks.
Message on a Bag
Far from the logomania of the early naughties, and less political than the t-shirt messages such as We Should All Be Feminists – designers showed an act for sharing words on their creations. Branding was still part of the game but sometimes it was well, just another way of embellishment. Go for a personalised bag with your star sign and pair it with your jeans, sneakers and rocker tee for the perfect concert/ festival look. Add a little extra mascara and eyeliner for effect.
Pop Art
If you’re afraid of colour, this trend might not be for you. Big bold patterns, graphic prints and painterly effects dominated the bags at the SS17 catwalks. The trick of pulling this look off is quite simple. Avoid clashing patterns and colours. Consider your statement bag as your point of reference as you strategically arrange the other items of your outfit. Pick two shades of colour from your bag and match them with pieces of clothing. For a safer option go for a full monochrome outfit in white, black, navy or eggshell and let your bag shine and stand out on its own.
