Must Have Bags For The New Season : Lucinda of Farfetch.com

I wouldn’t consider myself a big spender, like most girls I do appreciate fashion, I can see beauty in a delicately hand-stitched dress or an amazing leather jacket but when it comes to parting with my hard earned pennies there’s something inside that stops me. I would say that I spend around 75% of my spare time browsing clothes online and putting together my dream wardrobe. It seems that this time of year is harder as well, with all of the amazing new season offerings landing on the high street; there’s something about autumn/winter that really inspires the big spender in me. 

It might be something to do with the amazing coats or luxurious winter ankle boots that make me lust after them without fail year after year. Once in a while, if I’ve been extra good or I feel like I deserve a little gift for all my hard work I will make an ‘investment purchase’. I’ll spend an extraordinary amount on something that I plan to love and use until the end of days, most of the time these little splurges are on bags. So as the summer fades out into a, hopefully, spectacular fall I start thinking ahead to which bag will have the honour of sitting in the crook of my arm this season. So if you’re like me and you love bags, if you feel like you deserve something new, if your old bag is beyond repair or if you just want to splash the cash then you’ll be in need of this definitive guide to must have bags for the new season, which one will you choose?

1. French Connection Desert Croc Crossbody Bag - £45 

 This amazing crocodile print cross body bag is brilliant because it’s so different from everything else we’ve seen this season, the colour and the shape are fun and stand-out and it’s the perfect every-day bag for fitting all of your essentials in.

2. Whistles Medium Clutch - £55 

 We’ve had our eye on beautiful leather clutches for a while now and Whistles have released an amazing collection, you can even get your initials embossed on them so you’ll never lose it! Carry this orange pouch with a grey winter palate for a cool pop of colour.

3. Proenza Schouler Ps11 Degrade Leather Bag - £1,255 

 In the world of bags Proenza bags are ‘The Ones’, the ones you dream of and long for and their iconic Ps11 satchel style bags are worth investing in. This season Proenza have released a stunning coloured collection including a cool metallic oil slick style bag, these babies make for perfect day to evening bags and look great carried cross body or slung over one shoulder for a cool nonchalant look.

4. Zara Leather Citybag with Zip - £160

Zara are one of those high street shops that, year after year, knock the ball out of the park when it comes to stunning versatile bags. This city bag is a super sophisticated work option and at only £160 really is brilliant value for money.

5. Kurt Geiger London Dash Rucksack Black - £180

 Give everyday essentials a luxurious twist with this stunning Kurt Geiger crocodile effect rucksack. This is a fantastic choice for those who prefer to be hands free at all time. Made of sumptuous Italian leather this bag is perfect for almost any occasion with just the right amount of stylish, smart and casual cool.

6. Pull & Bear Tartan Check Backpack - £23 

 Work one of this season’s biggest trends into your repertoire with this fun Pull & Bear tartan backpack, great for overnight jaunts it’s got ample room to pack everything you’ll need. Wear yours with a longline coat and dark skinny jeans for a cool rock’n’roll aesthetic.

7. Kenzo Lamb Skin Shopper Tote - £541

 We simply can’t get enough of Kenzo and their iconic tiger prints which we’ve been rocking on our T-shirts and sweaters all of last season. Easily incorporate the designer’s iconic cool into your wardrobe with their new season embellished eye, and a tote bag is the perfect size for transitioning between the seasons; it will easily carry a spare jumper, a change of shoes and a brolly (just in case!)

8. Zara Mini Office City Bag - £32

 If you’re not one for carrying everything but the kitchen sink with you around all day then this mini office city bag will be right up your street. Boxy style bags are becoming increasingly popular as they’re chic and feminine and this cool mauve colour is the perfect hue as we approach the cooler months!

9. Mulberry Bayswater Oatmeal - £1,190 

 Mulberry is easily one of the best brands around for stunning versatile bags and their new season offerings never fail to impress.  This Bayswater is an iconic Mulberry style and the oatmeal colour is an easy way to work winter pastels into your new season wardrobe. This bag is perfect for any occasion, dress it up with a smart trench and dress for work or sling it over your shoulder with black jeans and a leather jacket to soften up an otherwise tough outfit.

10. Marc by Marc Jacobs Techno Holographic Vinyl wristlet Pouch - £85 

 Royal blue returns again and again as a strong colour for the winter months, this Marc by Marc Jacobs pouch is a perfect way to add a fashion forward touch to any outfit, wear yours around your wrist with an all-black outfit so it really pops. 

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So which bag will you opt for this season?

Guest post written by www.farfetch.com

A Beach Day Must Haves

So it's been just over two weeks since I've returned from my holiday which can I just say seems like a lifetime ago. I had serious holiday blues and the only thing that was getting me through them was the holiday I have booked in September with my family, which I'm so looking forward too as these holidays are always so fun when you have a big villa with everyone.

I'm here to talk about my beach day/poolside must haves so I'm going to make a start with the obvious and that is a swimsuit, for so long I've been on the hunt for a lilac bikini because I'm picky and have the perfect colour in my head. I was just about to give up hope when I was shopping in River Island with my sister and just wandered over to the holiday section for a browse and there they was, two styles of lilac coloured bikinis. I went and tried them both and on and went for this style which is a bit like the Triangl bikinis and was very reasonable priced Top £12 Bottoms £10. River Island have some gorgeous bikinis in the sale right now too.

Another thing I can't live without whilst chilling on the beach is a sunhat and this was a bargain from Primark costing only £3. As a ginger haired girl I do actually burn my scalp so I have to keep it covered because I can't put suncream on. I wear glasses so for me to wear sunglasses I have to get them prescribed so I can see. Sunglasses are a must to help protect your eye area from UV damage and it's nice to not squint whilst your in the sun. Again I think this is pretty obvious but it's also good to take a towel with you and I got this one from Primark.

For me this is a must, it might not be for everyone but going to the beach is a perfect time to catch up on your reading. I have a Kindle so I can store loads of books on there instead of packing a load, I actually read two books on holiday and could of happily finished a third but I gave it a rest.

Now on to the beauty bits, let's start with the most important and that is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+ suncream for the face. Suncream is by far a must have on any summer's day as it's very important to protect your skin from the UV Rays. I've been using this one for my face which has done an excellent job as I didn't burn, It's great for sensitive skin like myself, it didn't break me out in spots & it's fast absorbing with it being ultra light. 

I got this last summer which I used a lot Kiko Kiss Balm SPF 15 in the shade Apricot, It comes in 7 different shades which leave a tint of colour, they glide on smoothly leaving a gloss shine as most balms do with the added lip benefit ingredients to help moisturise the lips whilst sun protecting them. 

If you can't stand the heat then this one will be perfect for you, a cooling down spray can really help either day or night to feel refreshed. There are so many different brands that do these now but our hotel stocked Avene Thermal Water Spray 300ml I was going to buy this before I went away but decided not to but I will definitely always carry a cooling spray whenever I go on holiday now as they really help at night when it's all stuffy and you can't sleep, even with air con or if you're just baking in the sun. It gives you that instant relief when you spray a fine mist of water all over you. It only contains two ingredients which is water & nitrogen so there is no skin benefits but it can be used on sensitive skin and even eczema prone skin. It's great for soothing sunburn too!

I recently learned of Adore Me's swimsuits and their #BeachDayMusts on Instagram. What's your beach day/poolside must haves?