A dreamy combination of rattan and gold stud details, fashion writer Lucy Addicott has found her favourite summer bag at Marks and Spencer
With a spring wedding in my calendar, I’ve been looking for the perfect bag to style with my outfit for weeks. On the hunt for an accessory that’s able to hold all my essentials and I can re-wear post-celebration, Marks and Spencer pulled it out the bag with their Straw Beaded Shoulder Clutch.
Studded bags are everywhere this season and this M&S offering gives a soft twist to the edgy trend, combining gold studs with rattan detailing. For the wedding later this month, I’m wearing a pink floral maxi dress with these strappy gold heels from New Look, so the metallic studs match perfectly.
The Marks and Spencer shoulder bag is a little larger than a typical clutch bag, meaning it has more than enough room to fit my phone, makeup, purse and other items I want on me, but it doesn’t look bulky. It has a zipped main compartment, as well as an inner slip pocket, and the leather-feel zip and strap makes it feel a lot more expensive than the £39.50 price tag.
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I know I’ll be styling this straw bag all summer-long, whether I’m wearing it to dinner at the weekends or packing in my suitcase for a beach holiday. My only gripe is that the studs adorn only one side of the bag, as I think it would have a premium feel if they covered the entirety of the bag. This does however mean that you can switch which side you choose to be exposed, depending on whether you want the studs to show or not.
Another rattan bag that would be ideal for a special occasion is the Dune Delphinium Thread Raffia Shoulder Bag. Priced at £89, customers say that it is a ‘lovely spacious bag’ and it can be worn as both a clutch or a longer shoulder bag. It boasts beautiful metallic thread between the rattan base, giving a gorgeous shimmer.
If a designer handbag is on your radar, Radley’s £99 or less handbag sale is a great place to browse. The Lexington Lane Small Flapover Crossbody was £179 and is now £99. It comes in four colours, white, mint, pink and cream.
The Marks and Spencer Straw Beaded Shoulder Clutch Bag isn’t the only handbag from the high street retailer I have my eyes on. This Faux Leather Woven Clutch Bag comes in three chic colours – olive, black and pale yellow. It has a designer feel to it, but at £35, you can use it as an everyday accessory. Tapping into the beaded bag trend, this Pearl Chain Strap Shoulder Bag is £59 and I can see it being worn on holiday, or styled for a hen party.
