The Bumbag

hottest bag trends“Who would have thought that something I’ve long associated with beer aunties could become an It style? I attribute this to Gucci and the stampede-inducing tie-up between Louis Vuitton and Supreme that brought the bag – be it worn on the waist, or slung on the shoulders or cross-body – into fashion consciousness as early as last December. People always want new ways to carry a bag, and this offers one of the most refreshing ways to do so these days. Plus, both men and women can pull it off.”

The Teeny Tiny Shoulder Bag

hottest bag trends

hottest bag trendshottest bag trends“To be honest, I’ve always called any bag unable to fit an iPhone 7 Plus useless. That’s not to say that I don’t like/ approve of them. If the design’s right, they’re cute and become less of a functional thing than an accessory to an outfit, which is even more of the case these days when brands are making them as small as coin pouches. You might hardly be able to put anything inside, but once you start seeing them in the same light as you would a necklace, you’ll realise that that’s absolutely fine.”

The Statement Strap

hottest bag trends hottest bag trends“When this idea first started gaining prominence about two years ago (for this, I thank Fendi),
I found it very clever since it offers the versatility of making an existing bag new again simply by switching up the strap. Now, every brand across all prices is doing it, which is even better because it means even more options. There are even people attaching multiple ones on their bags, which means they’ve become the new bag charm.”

The Nylon Bag

hottest bag trends“I’ve always liked this trend, which Miuccia Prada popularised in the ’90s, because the material is lightweight, fuss-free yet hardy. It’s also always been around (cue backpacks by streetwear brands or Chanel’s Coco Cocoon line), though it’s often perceived as cheap and thus undesirable. But that’s changing now, especially with more luxury labels going the ironic chic or streetwear route. And options are no longer limited to utilitarian totes or messengers, but also chic, feminine shoulder handbags, so expect more women to catch on.”

Photography Veronica Tay, assisted by Sherman See-Tho & Tan Wei Te Styling Imran Jalal Hair & Makeup Sha Shamsi Model Elina/Mannequin Product Photography Tan Wei Te Product Art Direction Adeline Eng

This story first appeared in Female’s October 2017 issue.

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