Well ladies, I’ve been feeling a little bit spendy lately and have been updating my accessories to wear alongside my spring and summer outfits. I have lots of gorgeous plus size tops and dresses that I can’t wait to wear but they need some more up to date bags to wear with them! I’m not one for buying a lot of accessories as I like to invest in ones that I really love and use them until they’re worn out but the outfits that I’m wearing right now really call for some affordable summer bags that are different to what I already have. I’ve searched long and hard and have found 3 bags and 1 purse that I absolutely love.
Having a treat yo’self moment doesn’t have to cost the earth and these affordable summer bags prove it. Starting with the most expensive of the bunch but by no means a splurge is the River Island Blue RI Circle Flap Front Cross Body Bag.
Monogram is having a real moment right now and I am loving how River Island is bucking this trend. The monogram backpack that I bought a couple of months ago now has been worn so much I wish I’d bought two incase I damage the first! It is perfect for carrying my day to day essentials in.
The circle flap bag though is smaller and fits much less inside because of its structure. This is a real statement bag thats perfect for date days out and nights. It fits my essentials in; iPhone XS Max, purse, a lippy and my keys at a push. I’ve been wearing it to the cinema, theatre and out for dinner and drinks since I bought it and I love how well it is complimenting my outfits. The shape overall really gives me Chloé vibes and I love the attention to detail. It can be worn long on the shoulder or across the body and the strap is long enough for me to wear it in both of these ways which is something I’m sure many of my plus sized readers will be pleased to know as this is something thats a struggle point for a lot of us.
The great thing about this bag is that there is a coordinating purse to go with it. I love that River Island do this with many of their bags, purses and other accessories because I LOVE to be all matchy, matchy.
The River Island Navy RI Mini Fold Out Purse is so useful because its slimline but holds a lot. Theres different slots for cards and cash when folded, and a window section for an ID card such as a driving license. There’s a zipped compartment for coins too and it all folds and stays together with a press stud.
It’s a beauty, matches the bag perfectly and I’ve been switching it out into my other bags too over the last few weeks. There’s some variations on colour ways with this purse so definitely check it out if you’re looking for something compact and organised.
Now let me just preface this with saying, I know that this bag is a bit out there but last year I saw it on some higher end influencers and it actually looked really lush when paired with a summer dress. Only they were carrying the mega bucks designer one. When I was shopping in Primark with Mikhila recently, I came across a squared off version and it inspired me to get on the hunt for an affordable one that was shaped like the high end version. Et Voilá! Ebay threw up this amazing find at a fraction of the price!
The exact one that I bought is now sold out but this absolute bargain designer dupe, this wooden bamboo handbag and this designer inspired wooden bag look to be the same to me. I’m going to be styling this up with cute summer dresses and sandals when the weather dries up a bit! I’ve thought about putting a drawstring pouch inside too just incase I want to carry anything fine that I wouldn’t want to slip through the slats.
Last but by no means least is my Primark find from that shopping trip with Mikhila. The most gorgeous straw bag that’ll disintegrate as soon as any water touches it, with a tan faux leather strap and nautical inspired striped inner. I absolutely love it and for £12 its a real bargain and the ultimate buy of my affordable summer bags. I’ve used it a number of times since I bought it and I really love how it looks, again with dresses but also with jeans; this bag is big enough to fit my laptop in easily so when I pop out to work in a coffee shop, its the ideal one to carry my things in. You can see how I styled it up in this post.
With my accessories updated, I just need to wait patiently for the weather to warm up and stay dry so that I can get my use out of them. I don’t think its so bad buying trend led pieces if they’re affordable and you’ll use them a lot while they’re still in. I’ve missed out on other fashion buys because I’ve thought that they wouldn’t have any longevity but now I’m living more for the moment!
Which bag is your favourite? Have you updated your accessories recently?
The straw bag from Primark is a great looking bag at a reasonable price point. It looks very roomy too and perfect for a beach holiday
I really like that last bag. I am eyeing a new bag up but it costs a bit, so I need to save for it! Mich x