As you sashay through autumn and right up until the end of March next year, make sure your look is a bag with a chain strap, or at least with a chain embellishments, to rock one of the trending bag styles. If you’re someone who loves investment bags, this’ll be the season to remove the dust bag from your Stella McCartney Falabella or the classic Chanel flap shoulder bag; lucky you if you have one in tweed as you’ll double down on the season’s trends; chain and check! However, if you find that chain straps can make a bag unnecessarily heavy, it’s time to give them a second go as there are lots of new designs to consider. Here’s my top buy chain bags for you…and your shoulders.
Bags of room
When you tend to carry that bit more than your keys, phone and purse, here are the budget and designer options. On the left, from Kurt Geiger, is the croc Kensington shoulder bag; an ideal bag to take you from day to night. On the right, from Jimmy Choo, the Callie drawstring bag with the chain strap and rock star studs.
Boxed in
For the lighter days when you only need to carry the essentials, here are two boxy shaped bags with shoulder chain straps. On the left, from H&M, is the croc pattern shoulder bag. On the right, for a night out, I’m thinking cocktails with the girls, from Chloé is the C mini vanity bag.
Casual days
For the days when you don’t want to dress up an outfit with your bag accessory. Opt for one of these understated options; from Mango, a baguette bag with subtle pleats and a short chain shoulder strap. For a designer option, take this denim quilted flap bag with chain strap, the Edie from Rebecca Minkoff. Both work well with the weekend staple wardrobe of jeans and white shirt.
Colour pop
When you need a splash of colour to accent your outfit, here are two bags to catch the eye for two very different reasons. On the left, from Florian London, the Freya clutch bag has a strong shape and chunky chain strap. On the right, from the home of Le Pliage bag, Longchamp brings us the Amazone bag in quilted bright red leather with a chain shoulder strap.
Pretty in pink
When a hot red is a bit too much of a colour pop, why not opt for pink? Here are two on trend quilted options. Both have the fabric inserts on the chain shoulder straps for comfort. For the bold, head to Bimba y Lola for the M Plum leather shoulder bag. For a designer classic, Gucci features the Marmont bag in a soft pink,.
Keeping it street
For the street style lovers who want that interesting detailing, there’s are budget and designer options. For budget, from Zara, a crossbody bag with extra chain detailing (which can be removed if you want to max out the use of your little black bag). From Heron Preston, the mini Canal bag punches well above its weight and height!
In this collection of over 10 bags, those with a chain shoulder strap and are large in size, all feature a section of fabric in the strap. I’ve made that mistake before, seduced by a bag without a softer shoulder section in the chain and have regretted it after an hour (possibly my fault for overloading the bag)! It’s for this reason, I’m sorry Urban Outfitters, that the Mia Mini tote bag, whilst great value as a bag for the weekend wardrobe, it didn’t make the final cut.
And if the above selection doesn’t grab you, perhaps keep the chainmail to your clothes. Check out Zara for some chain print – dress, top and skirts are just in.
Finally, to get up to speed with all things autumn/winter 2020/1 fashion and bag trends, check out:
Bagwhispers 