Summer is oh so close. We've just had an Aperol Spritz-filled bank holiday, festival season is under way, and we're busy eyeing up the swimsuits we'll don at our local lido. We've relegated thick knits and heavy jackets to the back of our wardrobe, and said a long-awaited hello to chic mules, rainbow brights, and plenty of gingham.
But what about our accessories game? We've spied some fantastic maximalist shoes in shops and on catwalks recently – if you're not pounding the pavement in point-toe zebra heels or paisley flatforms, you're not fully embracing spring. Now it's time to focus on bags. As soon as the thermometer hits 26 degrees, the last thing you want is to be lugging around a huge shopper or a big old backpack.
We want to keep our essentials as sartorially springlike as our outfits – think embellishment, florals and fruity brights – and so we've rounded up the best new bags to add to your (growing) accessories collection. Click through for the bags that'll see you from work to park to bar to festival, all while shouting "Summer is coming!"
This suede beauty from & Other Stories is the colour of the season.
& Other Stories Small Suede Fold-Over Bag, £99, available at & Other Stories
Your favourite beach bag made infinitely better with custom coloured pom-poms.
BOMBOM Dot-to-Dot Basket, £60, available at BOMBOM Morocco
Gingham for all! This retro '50s shape bag is an easy way to incorporate the check trend into your everyday wardrobe.
Mansur Gavriel Elegant Checked Canvas Tote, £565, available at Net-A-Porter
If you can't get to the beach, this bag will bring the beach to you.
Sensi Studio 'Vamos A La Playa' Woven Bag, £220, available at Browns.
This tiny embellished number will fit your phone, keys, purse and sunnies – what else do you need?
Uterqüe Black and White Zig Zag Crossbody Bag, £115, available at Uterqüe
Whistle's woven wonder doubles up as a great beach bag.
Whistles Manzoni Woven Tote, £89, available at Selfridges
We will never get enough of Prada's zigzags and colour combinations. This shoulder bag will add a little life to your look.
Prada Zig Zag Leather Shoulder Bag, £1,450, available at Net-A-Porter
Big and yellow, with a practical shoulder strap – the ideal spring work bag.
Topshop Stella Soft Bucket Bag, £29, available at Topshop
Our 9-year-old selves would thank us so much for investing in this dinky motif Shrimps bag.
Shrimps Embroidered Doodle Bag, £350, available at Shrimps
More plaid, this time with a zest of orange.
Truss Plaid Woven Tote, £155, available at Net-A-Porter
This is our city festival essential – we like the rodeo vibe.
& Other Stories Ring & Tassel Leather Mini-Saddle Bag, £65, available at & Other Stories
Coach's space-themed leather bags are as kitsch as they are cool.
Coach Rogue Space Tote, £895, available at Selfridges
COS's flash of chilli red will brighten up any outfit.
COS Mini Shoulder Bag, £59, available at COS
This Mango tote should be in your shopping basket faster than you can shout Balenciaga.
Mango Striped Shopper Bag, £59.99, available at Mango
Cult Gaia has a, well, cult following, thanks to its range of Japanese-influenced bamboo bags.
Cult Gaia Small Bamboo Ark Bag, £126, available at Moda Operandi
Yellow, white and black make surprisingly lovely bedfellows for sunnier weather.
Proenza Schouler Hexagon Bucket Bag, £1,650, available at Selfridges
This one was made to carry a beach towel, factor 50, and a good book.
Uterqüe Floral Tote Bag, £75, available at Uterqüe
Gucci's not slowing down with the more-is-more granny chic vibe. Nab this handheld piece to feel full bloom.
Gucci Sylvie Tote, £1,450, available at Net-A-Porter
Who said faux fur should be banished to the back of your wardrobe, only seeing the winter months? Not us.
Zara Faux Fur Crossbody Bag, £19.99, available at Zara
Make yours a summer of love with this sweet Valentino bag.
Valentino Embellished Leather Bag, £2,080, available at Selfridges
This lemon-lime hybrid is the perfect city holdall.
Weekday Sweet Leather Tote, £80, available at Weekday
Israeli designer Dodo Bar Or has our summer wardrobe sewn up, and this drawstring bag is no exception.
Dodo Bar Or Woven Kashi Bag, £168, available at Farfetch
This season's It bag goes ice-white – we'll have to try not to drip ice cream on it...
J.W.Anderson Pierce Bag, £1,095, available at Matches Fashion
Beaded, tasseled, braided: we love.
Zara Beaded Bucket Bag, £29.99, available at Zara
If you need the practicality of a backpack but want to ditch your Eastpak, Whistles has provided the perfect alternative.
Whistles Velvet Mini Verity Backpack, £175, available at Whistles
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
I Saved Up For This Dress For A Whole Year & Now I Want It In Every Colour