The ‘croissant’ – and other chic handbag shapes for this season
Plus: have a style dilemma for Lisa? Submit it below
There hasn’t been a bona fide It bag for years. OK, Uniqlo’s £14.90 ‘round mini shoulder bag’ (which is, in fact, more croissant-shaped than round) has repeatedly sold out since it launched in 2022, but its practical nylon doesn’t make the heart soar.
I love my Uniqlo – for dog walking. It holds leads, treats, whistles, poo bags and any groceries you might need to buy on the way home. Even though Uniqlo didn’t bother to come up with a catchy name, it’s genius. Perfect for when you’re visiting a museum or out all day and need all your bits about you, and destined to end up in museums around the world as a classic of functional, democratic design. But for those who love craft and luxury, the Uniqlo bag experience can seem a bit too utilitarian.
However, there are plenty of deluxe versions floating towards us. Croissants are now available at every price point, from Bottega Veneta’s £2,240-plus Intrecciato Sardine (it’s a croissant with a gold handle that looks vaguely fish-like) to Cos and John Lewis. The one I’m wearing is the love child of Aligne, a sustainably minded fashion line, and Been London, an excellent small UK brand that makes lovely, sleek bags from leather offcuts that would otherwise go to landfill.
If you discovered your ideal bag shape aeons ago and don’t want any alien ones complicating your life – well, nor did I. But I like the way the croissant sits reasonably high up the torso. Its ergonomic design makes it nestle comfortably into the body. It’s generally light and lends everything you wear it with a more relaxed, youthful air, including something as classic as this wool skirt and kitten heels.
This bag, designed by Aligne and Been London, holds all the essentials – and then some
Bags can shake up your look with almost zero effort on your part, other than choosing one. Other shapes to consider this year include top handles, which are back, drawstrings, large hobos, fan shapes, buckets and envelope bags. Generally, the flatter the bag sits against the body, the better it looks with fitted dresses and skirts. Save the buckets and hobos for slouchier outfits and block heels or flatforms. Size-wise, micro bags have finally been put out to grass. Huge ones were popular on the catwalks, but haven’t made much of an inroad IRL. Go for something that fits the basics, otherwise it just becomes an irritant.
By the way, this lovely cream jumper, from the new upcycled collection by ELV Denim and The Outnet, comes in two detachable layers. You could wear the top part in summer on its own as a cropped piece, and there’s a version with detachable sleeves that can be worn as a sleeveless tank. Versatility in all things is the name of the game.
The shapes to know this season
Top handle
Mortimer Leather bag, £1,695, Anya Hindmarch
Hobo
Yela Leather bag, £510, Maeden
The barrel
Braid barrel shoulder bag, £110, Cos
Drawstring
Jil Sander Dumpling Leather bag, £710, Matches Fashion
The fan
Mini Rider Leather and canvas bag, £995, Mulberry
Bucket
Lana Osette Midi leather bag, £445, Strathberry
Envelope
The Vancouver Croc-effect leather bag, £405, DeMellier
The grab
Crossbody leather bag, £89, John Lewis
Lisa wears: Cashmere jumper set, £245, E.L.V. Denim x The Outnet; Wool blend skirt, £175, Jigsaw; Satin shoes, £195, Bobbies x Icone; Recycled leather bag, £295, Been London x Aligne; Gold vermeil earrings, £150, Kitty Joyas; Hair and Make-Up by Oonagh Connor at Joy Goodman, using Nars and Dr Paw Paw
Lisa solves your style dilemmas
Each week, Telegraph Head of Fashion Lisa Armstrong responds to your queries, lending her expertise to help you shop smart. Have a question for her? Submit it below.
