Promotional feature British handbag designers Peony & Moore talk through handbag styles and trends for 2014/2015

Great British Life: The Marielle handbag in navyThe Marielle handbag in navy (Image: Colin Smith T/A CSphotodesign +44(0)7747 6026356)

As British designers of luxury leather handbags based in Somerset, we adore handbag shapes, leathers, function, linings, hardware and accessories. Designing a handbag collection always starts with the most important factor, the shape.

There are so many designs to choose from and trends divert to differing shapes each season with new colours or textures, however with over half of British women buying a handbag and splashing out an estimated £1.2billion on handbags in 2013* every women should know which shapes they like, which suits them and which is the most practical for their lifestyle.

Here’s a fabulous summary of all the different styles of handbag, you decide which is your favourite:

Shoulder Bag

A universal description for any style of handbag with shoulder straps that tends to not fit into any of the other categories below. We adore this style as its so practical and leaves your hands free to carry more shopping! See our Phoebe shoulder bag.

Great British Life: The Phoebe handbag in tanThe Phoebe handbag in tan (Image: Colin Smith T/A CCSphotodesign +44(0)7747 602635)

Tote

The term tote means ‘to carry’, so this shape is a practical box or rectangular design, with sturdy top handles. Also known as a ‘shopper’. See our Lauren in the main picture.

Top Handle

Very on trend at the moment, this shape refers to medium sized handbags which are worn by the short handle or in the crook of the arm. See our Camilla.

Bucket

Essentially as the name implies, this is an unstructured cavernous handbag with no central dividers, usually oversized or large with either long or short handles.

Box

Mostly used for smaller or clutch bags, this style refers to the structure normally apparent in this design. See our Maisie.

Cross Body Bag

Worn simply across the body with the use of a long strap. Any size, however usually small which sits on the hip. See our Daisy.

Messenger

Referring to an original usage for ‘messengers’ this is a large square flat bag with a flap. Cross body in styling and made for practicality and to carry lots of documents.

Weekender

Big enough to carry enough for an overnight trip, usually cavernous with no central divider but lots of pockets on the inside. See our Hattie.

Satchel

Old school retro, the satchel has become a firm favourite with the British shopper. Oblong or square in shape, with front pockets and buckles. Worn as either a shoulder or cross body bag.

Pompadour

A small pouch bag with a drawstring top, normally worn at the wrist.

Hobo

A Peony & Moore signature style, this is a relaxed medium to large casual style handbag with a rounded shape to the bottom. See our Mariella hobo handbag.

Saddle Bag

With an equestrian feel, this shape is normally round with either a top handle or shoulder strap, designed to wear against the hip.

Baguette

A long narrow bag, shaped as its name sake.

Rucksack/backpack

A practical bag with 2 shoulder straps worn against the back. Normally very sturdy and made to carry heavy items.

Duffle Bag

A long rectangular shaped oversize bag with two top handles, capacious for overnight trips.

Clutch Bag

A small sized handbag in a variety of shapes made to be carried, or worn with a thin shoulder strap. See our Natalia and Lily.

Handbag trends 2014/2015

As well as incorporating a good mix of shapes into our collection, we also look at handbag trends closely to finally decide our collection each season. For AW 2014 forest greens, teals, pinks and navy are colours have been emerging since the beginning of the year so we have therefore launched our Georgia in teal with tan trim, our Daisy cross body bag in both pink and navy and we have our Mariella shoulder bag in navy for this coming season.

Mid size bags are making a comeback from the oversize shoulder bag this season, so your back and neck aches can be a thing of the past! Our Phoebe, Grace and Georgia all hit this trend bang on by being a comfortable size and weight, the Phoebe even has an extra thick woven strap for added comfort.

The envelope clutch is such a must have for year round glamour, wear both with a little black dress but also slip in your ipad for work chic. Our Lily in chestnut brown croc can be used perfectly in the day as well as the evening. See also our Natalia leopard and Gina metallic envelope clutch bags.

The catwalk is teaming with retro this season and retro handbags are not to be missed. Inspired by yester year this trend pics upon some fabulous old favourite styles and textures. See our Camilla top handle handbag for a nod to Jackie O, or indeed our Maisie box cross body in chestnut brown croc for old school glam.

Small, neat and perfectly formed, the box handbag is a cute accompaniment to any smart outfit. Again, see our Maisie in black croc for the perfect cross seasonal box bag.

We all love some exotic in our wardrobe each season and AW2014 it’s all about snake print. Our Lily envelope clutch in Oyster snake print is a perfect on trend occasion clutch and our Maisie in black or chestnut croc print will also tick this trend well.

Finally, we’ve seen the emergence of two tone handbags this year, however we’ve been incorporating contrasting leather trim on our collection for 5 years now and we love it! Our Mariella and Georgia handbags all have brown leather trim teamed with an array of bright colours. This makes the handbag stand out but ultimately very easy to wear!

We’ve also launched the Peony Tassel this season, coming in 8 fabulous bright colours these handbag tassels will clip onto any handbag to both update an old handbag or really personalise a new one!

So with handbag styles outlined and the trends for the coming season, we hope you are inspired and can choose which handbag is right for you, hopefully it will be a Peony & Moore one!

*Source: Mintel Fashion Accessories UK Report 2014