Pouch bags have emerged as the mini trend of the moment, but the look is unlikely to dwindle as summer's boho look takes over. If you've already been wowed by the draw-strung styles of Marc Jacobs, Chloe and Temperley, then you'll be pleased to learn that there are also some damn fine slouch pouches to be had for considerably less on the high street.
If you really want to embrace your inner hippy, Accessorize have some very cute pouch bags, featuring beads, weaving and fluoro colours. Our favourite is this braided bag, which is £25. Taking its cue from the big designer names, Marks and Spencers' tan pouch bag is covered in sun-reflecting studs and also costs £25, in the Limited Collection range. Topshop's leather lace-up pouch bag has some nice plaited detailing, and costs £85.
If you're looking for something a bit more serious than fun arm candy but can't quite stretch to Hermes and Prada, Oasis are doing quite a good line in business-friendly luggage at the moment. This 'Dita' bag caught the Bag Lady's eye this morning, ticking all the right boxes on style, practicality and cost.
Available in 'tumbled' black or tan faux-leather, it's a great alternative to the sober designer styles that are huge right now. It's roomy and smart, but best of all, it's got a lovely big tassel to show it has a sense of humour, too.
£35 at Oasis
On the high street, so many practical bags are ugly, and so many interesting bags are impractical. Here's one from French Connection which I think manages to get the balance just about right, so I'm sharing it with you as a bit of a rare find.
The suede fabric is a real plus, as it tones down the bright red colouring slightly, making it more bright and fun than dazzlingly bold. It's a soft, squishy bag that could happily be crammed to the gills without losing its shape, and we love the tassel and studs. This is a bag for all seasons, and our High Street Pick of the Week.
£160 at ASOS
These neat zip-front handbags are new at Jones, and are hitting all the right spots for good quality, wearable and stylish handbags at a reasonable price. They remind me a tiny bit of Mulberry's Somerset range, which is a good thing considering I just failed to win one on Ebay *sob*...
Also available in cherry red, it's a cute, everyday style that will take more than just the essentials. A good choice for anyone who's not quite ready for designer, but doesn't want to buy throwaway tat that will quickly lose its shine. Is that a recommendation? Well I think so!
£55 at Jones
For the majority of shoppers, the ideal bag is affordable, roomy, stylish and just that little bit different that it'll draw a second glance. This 'Indigo' slouch bag from Dorothy Perkins has all those qualities, and I think it would make a great choice for anyone looking to freshen up their accessories without breaking the bank.
The bag itself is a hugely fashionable hobo style, but the oversized key chains and visible zip prevent it from looking too generic. The bag is also available in sophisticated mink-beige, with gold metalwork.
£25 at Dorothy Perkins
However much you dress it up, your old hobo or bulky laptop bag just won't cut it at the office Christmas party. Well, perhaps if it's from the Mulberry for Apple range we'll make an exception, but in all other circumstance you'll be wanting something a little more sweet and elegant tucked under your arm.
This little envelope clutch from Accessorize seems to tick all the right boxes, and since the store has a talent for producing 'cheaper than it looks' bags, this will make a good last-minute purchase that'll appear far more time-honoured than it is. Cheating? Well why not. It's only £15.
Dorothy Perkins have some really rather lovely bags at the moment and the best thing about them is that none of them will leave you with buyers' guilt! You'll be hard pushed to spend £50 in store on accessories, but from what I've seen of the newest items, all the latest trends are referenced stylishly and tastefully in the range.
For a particularly good bargain buy, I've picked out this red suedette tassel bag, which will bring a splash of colour to your monochrome leather-clad look this winter (OK, or even your old fleece and jeans). The asymetric foldover front panel and plump tassel are particularly nice touches on what is already one very lovable bag. Ordering...now...
£20 at Dorothy Perkins
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