Your comprehensive summer bag guide

Words: Daniël Geldenhuys | Photographs: Getty

The easiest way to amp up your summer look is with a great bag. If there's anything to be learned from current street style, it's that minimal bags are not a thing. You need something sculptural, unusual, arresting – the more extra, the better. This is your comprehensive guide to summer it bags (at impulse-buy prices) for every mood and every moment.

The cylindrical bucket bag

Can you even deal with the Missguided single-handle croc bucket bag? It's such a situation. Chances are, it'll be the only bag of its kind in a ten-meter radius wherever you take it. It makes the intended impression at lunch, dinner, and casual activities in between.

The leather-look shopper

This shopper may be the exception to the OTT bag rule, until you consider double bagging. Style Republic's soft pink shopper fits everything you need for a day out, while serving as a canvas to show off whatever ornamental bag you choose to add to the mix. If you're more of a one-bag kinda girl, it's still a super chic option. Make it fashion by cradling it under your arm and letting it slouch in on itself.

The lux top handle

Your Gucci prayers just got answered by the Style Republic top handle colour block bag, compete with chain detail and striped bow. We're channelling a post shopping-spree Bonang, darling. This bag needs a name, a place of honour next to your champagne glass on the table, and the occasional sprits of perfume to delight you whenever you open it.

The one must have

Summer's biggest message is one of relaxation, combined with craft and beauty. It materialises perfectly in the Blackcherry woven mini bucket bag. Even if it's not an obvious match, this is the bag you want to pair with absolutely everything this summer. It's a reminder of dreamy summer days on the horizon, just waiting to be basked in.

The quilted moon bag

Style Republic's oval quilted moon bag should work on just about every dress you own, and it goes perfectly with separates, too. It's a hands free solution that gives just about any look a dose of streetwear cool factor, but with a feminine, luxurious twist. A no brainer.

The show off

Clear bags that allow you to see the contents are one of fashion's slightly more problematic summer obsessions. Sometimes the contents just don't have visual appeal, hence the pink pouch inside the Joy Collectables top handle sling bag. Of course, if you are in a showy mood you can always remove the pouch. The choice is yours.

The ultimate beach bag

Catch of the day? The netted craft bag from Joy Collectables. It's nautical, but not in a boring navy stripe way. Take it to the beach and beyond – this bag is welcome everywhere right now.