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My love of handbags didn’t come naturally, I wasn’t a girlie girl. I went to a preparatory boarding school in New England and the only brands we revered were J.Crew and LL Bean. I didn’t give a second thought to luxury brands, the internet had not been born into our day-to-day existence then. And despite going to school with the likes of many Saudi princes & princesses, red-faced, dare I admit, Donald Trump’s nephew and, more intriguingly, Moses Farrow of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen notoriety, our value was not found in wearing name brand clothing and Gucci sunglasses before our 18th birthdays.
No, my love of handbags came later in life, along with lots of expendable income, no real responsibilities and in tandem with my immersion into the digital marketing landscape of mid-2000’s London. To that end, I didn’t have enough fashion prowess to pull off anything too daring, I wouldn’t dream of outdoing my little black dress with a bold and beautiful red handbag back when my appreciation for all things brand-related and fashionable was really coming into its peak.
That’s why it’s with great glee that sitting here now, in my mid-forties, I am over the moon that the red handbag isn’t just making a resurgence into current trends (as if it ever went away), but it’s really establishing itself as the cornerstone of today’s female wardrobe. Usually my taste lends itself to purple, but I can cheat, and with such a delicious array of colours & styles, the red handbag is doing to me exactly what it was designed to do - it’s catching my attention not just saying “look at me”, but more importantly, “BUY ME”!
From crimson to cardinal, velvet to blood, maroon to raspberry, the multitude of options when it comes to choosing the best fit red for you or your outfit are resplendent. I see crossbody bags in shades of apple, clutches that come in piercing chili red and shoulder handbags gleaming from storefront display in the deepest and most rich ruby. Match your nails, your bag and your jewellery and there’s no way anyone in the room will be able to take their eyes off you and YES! I’m ready to be that woman.
While my love affair with handbags was a little late to bloom, I’m struck by just how resonant and deep a chord the colour red strikes in handbag form - a myriad symbolic meanings, for me the colour represents confidence, sexiness and vitality. Red is bold, it can be brash, it can be in your face and I aspire to be the woman confident enough to be strolling casually down Bond street sporting her Alexander McQueen Peak Mini Bag in Welsh Red, famously cutting edge design in full view, pretending to be contemplating life but secretly knowing that every woman who passes me is admiring the handbag covertly and wishing it was theirs.
I think about all the times I went unadorned, devoid of anything fashion-forward, to professional events, award shows and business dinners when the considered addition of a dynamic red handbag, perhaps the classic Gucci Horsebit quilted leather shoulder bag with its iconic hardware, would have really clinched the evening’s look. Alas, my evenings are less filled with night time fancy as they are with country pubs these days, but that diversity encapsulates how the red handbag can span different lifestyles, different locations and, indeed, different times of your life. In particular, the Gucci Horsebit really shines in its versatility - I would be just as comfortable wearing this piece as a crossbody bag to a ladies’ luncheon as I would using it to accessorise the next over-priced Michelin star meal I save myself for in the City. Great with an ankle boot or high heels, the chunky hardware makes this handbag a real showstopper that can perform when required but suits a casual occasion just as well. This is the kind of functionality and adaptability that really works for my life now, while letting people know that I’m still on trend.
While I do wish I had been more adventurous in my formative years when it came to fashion, I’ve got a real appreciation now for the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into producing something like the Jacquemus Le Vanito leather top-handle bag. Bravely hued in classic Dark Red, wearing the Le Vanito leather top-handle bag, I’ve never shone so bright. It’s my own personal fashion evolution that makes me realise the key to the reimagined red revolution in handbags is its lasting appeal to all ages and, culturally, we all feel a little more regal, a little more rebellious in red. I don’t need the proof as to why the red handbag deserves to be as much a staple in our closet as the little black dress, but I’m happy to serve as an example along the way. Viva rouge!!
The Jacquemus La Vanito leather top-handle bag is ripe for the first time red handbag buyer. I’m one of those women, I know you can relate, who is constantly falling prey to never being able to find the item I’m looking for in the depths of my handbag, but with the Le Vanito leather top-handle bag, Jacquemus has graciously solved my dilemma for me. The structured design of the handbag allows me to completely unzip the bag, allowing me to easily locate anything stored in the well constructed and 100% cotton lined compartment. Toiled with croc-embossed textured leather and completed with the handbag’s branded hardware, this is a reflection of its Italian heritage, and the classic Dark Red colour is a fantastic contrast to the gold-toned hardware which really suits itself to any occasion but makes it a great all-day, on-the-go handbag. I’m a sucker for anything Jacquemus and the 2024 Les Sculptures collection, they’ve cleverly added a stylish and playful submission to their red handbag portfolio.
You won’t be disappointed in this classic dual purpose Gucci Horsebit quilted leather shoulder bag both for value and for wearing options. I was concerned that in choosing a red handbag I wouldn’t be able to use it except in more formal situations, but that’s simply not the case. This particular piece has a really universal feel because it’s so elegant and can pair so well with day or evening wear. Not too flashy, the chunky chain detailing and enlarged horsebit embellishment at the front make it easily interchangeable depending on the time of day or occasion; the size is just perfect for all my essentials, again, without suffering from bottomless pit syndrome and it offers a decent amount of storage space considering it’s such a compact size.
I couldn’t wait to take this bag on out on the town, this was pure excess and I loved it - living out a decades long fantasy, I was every inch that woman strolling down Bond Street without a care in the world, brandishing my McQueen Peak Mini in Welsh Red and exuding my own vibe of self-worth and confidence. This bag doesn’t disappoint when it comes to McQueen’s famously cutting-edge style, it boasts handcrafted calfskin leather with a curve-shaped magnetic frame, juxtaposed with a soft body, while enabling you to interchange it as a crossbody or over shoulder bag. One design aspect that really stands out and I absolutely die for is the unique finger hold handle that not only is great for keeping the bag safely in hand but is so reflective of McQueen’s inspirational and aspirational design techniques. In particular, this bag was inspired by the sharp and structured shoulders of the tailoring silhouettes and that will keep me wearing red for years to come.
Well, if you’re in the mood for racy, look no further than the Ferragamo Geometric Handbag S - its sleek, futuristic design also pays homage to Ferragamo’s classic Italian style. I picture this bag being paired with a serious, tailored women’s business dress suit, almost like a fashionable briefcase. Big enough to comfortably house your essentials and hold its shape, this handbag is crafted with the softest calfskin with a semi-glossy finish, while the chic golden custom clasp on the front really elevates the high end look and feel of the bag. As with most of our featured bags, the Geometric Handbag S comes with two strap options, allowing you to detach the 53cm shoulder strap at your leisure. They couldn’t have named the colour of this handbag any more accurately - a pure flame red, this bag is giving nothing but fire.
I love this bag - not only does the red patent colour conjure up my girlhood yearnings for patent leather shoes, my eye is immediately drawn to the unique gold-tone clasp feature that really sets the tone for the structured rectangular shape of the Judi. In line with some of 2023’s biggest trends that have continued into 2024, this handbag is the essence of power dressing and screams “I’m too sexy for you” at anyone lucky enough to be in its range. As a UK brand, I’m always going to be biased, but I know that this bag is crafted from butter soft leather and also benefits from the added luxury of a 100% suede lining.
Traditionally, Cartier is always going to lean towards the more subtle and classically minded woman, and the East-West bag is no different. Beautifully textured in cherry red calfskin with a golden-finish clasp, this bag features inlays and overlay designs that are immediately noticeable to the eye but lend itself to the level of craftsmanship this iconic house reserves for its handbags, producing only the highest possible quality. Fully functional, this bag comes with a detachable shoulder strap and a similarly detachable handle, allowing the wearer to utilise it one of three ways - shoulder, cross body & clutch - which makes it that much more a staple piece in today’s female wardrobe.
Where to begin with this fashion-forward, ultra futuristic design. The Diamond Crossbody is most certainly going to turn heads as you’re immediately drawn to its signature and distinctive “diamond” gold-finish hardware. Made in box leather and offered in a muted cranberry red, this bag is not lacking personality. If you want to make a statement at your next gathering, the Diamond Crossbody is sure to do just that.
What words do you conjure up with you think about the colour red? I get sexy, vivacious & dominant. Well, the Zadig & Voltaire Rock Eternal Clutch is coming to you loud & proud in POWER RED! Fully lined, this red grained leather bag comes with two removable shoulder straps, one in leather and one chain, so you can really change up the look and feel of this bag depending on your outfit of choice. At a very affordable price of £490, this bag suits anyone’s style and their budget.
The distinctive V-Logo is the real attention seeker of this bag. Manufactured in dark red nappa leather, the gold-tone hardware is bold and there’s no mistaking this handbag’s origins. With an adjustable shoulder strap, the curve edge body of this bag really gives the VLogo Moon Mini its essence and any woman holding it will feel sophisticated and seen. This bag is perfect for more formal occasions, particularly if you’re pairing it with an equally chic formal red gown and shoes that do the bag justice.
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