At first, I assumed it was simply my age showing. You see, I've developed a strong need for a Proper Handbag. This is the kind of bag a lady might carry. I'm sick of straw baskets and unimpressed with trendy clutch bags. I'm looking for anything reasonable. I'm tired of scrabbling in a bucket bag or a lumpy tote and need shape and interior compartments. I don't want a cross-body strap that rucks up my jacket; I want a bag that fits elegantly under my arm. In other words, I want the type of bag I used to think I was far too cool for.
But it turns out that I haven't grown out of my desire for It bags; rather, the It bag has matured. The most popular bags this season are ones that haven't been fashionable in a long time: the conventional handbag. A basic, sleek style that fits snugly between the elbow and the ribs. A secure closure to keep what's within safe from inquisitive eyes and light fingertips. Large enough to hold a small umbrella yet tiny enough not to overshadow your ensemble. The kind of bag that appears to contain hand sanitizer, Kleenex, and a spare ponytail band, rather than the kind that may contain, I don't know, bits of rose quartz or a vintage Polaroid camera or anything.
Could this be the first trend honouring the Queen? The boxy Launer handbags have been all over the place in the last month. The Queen's iconic snap-closure purse has accompanied her for the most of her reign, but it gained a magical aura last year when a marmalade sandwich sprang out of one at a platinum jubilee tea with Paddington Bear. Even in the Queen's final known photograph, taken in front of the fire at her house in Balmoral two days before her death, she wears a black purse while resting on her walking staff.
M&S has taken notice, offering a classic faux-leather top-stitched design with gold hardware (£35). Bags like this are timeless. They'll be just as attractive in five years as they are now. Until recently, this would have made them less of a must-have, but now since many individuals who spend money on fashion do it with resale value in mind, it makes them more appealing rather than less.
The resale market concentrates around traditional blue-chip fashions and brands. The Chanel 2.55 or Gucci's Jackie bag are the gold standard, both of which have kept their worth. The emergence of resale as a significant issue to consider when purchasing clothing and accessories has cast a fresh light on what appears desired. All of the cool youngsters are now interested in a ladylike purse. And I do as well. Carol Morley of Carol Hayes Management did the hair and makeup. Body London model Mei Mei £79 bag, johnlewis.com. Jumper by Iris & Ink, available at theoutnet.com. Boden.co.uk, £30 for a polo neck (underwear).
