What are you wearing this summer? That’s easy. Chances are it’s a sundress and sandals worn on repeat, with perhaps a linen co-ord thrown into the mix. Yep, it’s a no-brainer. The trickier question is what bag are you carrying?
Your trusty black leather number will see you effortlessly from October through to March, but come warmer weather can look a little heavy – even if you’ve left your laptop at home. While a basket bag remains a seasonal classic, it’s hardly an original alternative. Luckily, we’ve noticed a fresh new accessory trend emerging that’s guaranteed to sartorially set you apart: colourful striped bags, the bigger the better.
It goes without saying that bold accessories are one of the easiest ways to inject colour into an otherwise basic ensemble, but colourful striped totes and shoppers deliver on both personality and practicality, meaning they’ve quickly become the ultimate summer finishing touch. Independent brands including Monty and Raf & Grace have long championed the look beyond the confines of a beach holiday, with Raf & Grace’s orange and red stripe large shopper the brand’s bestseller.
Sure, the trend makes for the perfect in-flight carry-on and doubles as an ideal pool bag, but the fashion set – including the likes of Zoë Kravitz and Kendall and Kylie Jenner – are making a case for them closer to home, too.
Bedecked with beach towel stripes, they’re inescapably playful, with colourways consisting of everything from sun-faded, saturated shades to vibrant hues that are hard to miss. The result is a bag that’s every bit as practical as it is punchy, doing all the hard work for you by elevating even the simplest outfit. A white tee and Bermuda shorts suddenly feel intentional and elevated with this one addition. Better still, many of the most covetable styles are crafted from recycled fabrics, earning them extra style points in our book.
Below, find some of our favourite colourful striped bags available to shop now from the high street and beyond.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
