Whether your style is the cool relaxed street style vibe or fashion designer logo follower, a formal occasion tends to pop into everyone’s calendar in the summer; a wedding (in Windsor perhaps), a day at the races, a christening or a garden party. The bag that will always get you through one of these summer events is a top handle handbag.
Don’t got running for the hills, just bear with me on this. I get it, the top handle has often been considered the territory of the Queen and grandmothers. However, if you get the bag right, there is nothing quite like the structure of a top handle bag to elevate an outfit. And as my invitation to Royal Ascot has arrived, it reminded me that I’m in need of top handle inspiration.
Off to instagram I went and found that there was much to contemplate. As my something for the weekend articles only include bags posted over the last week, I was disappointed that one of my favourite top handle labels, Valextra, was busy in the streets of Milan with no bag posts to catch my eye. Never fear, I have a selection of top handles, classic and modern that will rock any summer event this year.
If you’re sitting comfortably, here are my 6 favourite top handle bags on instagram this week:
Strathberry Nano Tote Bag (a brand seen on the arm of Meghan Markle on her first royal appointment back in December last year, comes in this striking electric blue and navy with red trim. Get it before it sells out. From £345.
Mark Cross is well known in the US but can be found this side of the ‘pond’ at Dover Street Maket, Matches and there is a fine selection of colours of the box bag at Harvey Nichols. Expect to pay above £1000.
Exclusively on instagram is Strawbags_Collection. Their products are all handmade so they recommend you order well in advance. If this monochromatic woven bag catches your eye, get your skates on to order. This is the ideal bag for those who are very relaxed in their style – this is a nod to structure without selling out.
From the capital Bogota in Columbia comes Divina Castidad. You can find these handmade luxury handbags on instagram or facebook. This bag just goes to show you that top handle bags come in all shapes and sizes. Love this ‘full moon’ bag.
For European influences you are hard pressed to find another brand with such rich heritage than Delvaux from Belgium. We’re lucky enough to find this luxury handbag designer n its very own store on Bond Street. Spot the hand painted Alligator Kalahari bag there.
Last but by no means least, from Neely and Chloe Burch, straight out of New York, who offer us the Lady Bag. As you can see they’ve thought of most of the classic summer colours to accent an outfit. Pick up one of these from $168.
So that’s it folks, the best of the top handle bags spotted on instagram over the last week. Brands from the UK, US, South America and Europe – bag shopping is truly international.
Here’s to the bags carrying our essentials at this summer’s events whilst we are toasting the happy couple/new born baby/the first horse across the line*(delete as appropriate).
Keep up to date on the bags spotted out and about by popping by on any of the channels listed here:
- on instagram @thebagwhispers_
- twitter @Bagwhispers or
- on Facebook @Bagwhispers
Have fun this summer!
Photo credit: header image by freestocks.org on Unsplash
Bagwhispers 