Now this post has been a while in the making, three months to be exact. I thought it might be slightly premature to start thinking about new season styles when they first started arriving back in January but by late February/early March – AKA the official start of Spring/Summer – fashion week madness had taken over and spending an hour or so writing about handbags just wasn’t on the cards. While SS13 doesn’t look like it’s planning on making an appearence in London anytime soon (bitter, moi?) if there’s one area of our wardrobe we can keep in time with the fashion calendar without risking hypothermia it’s our accessories. So, without further ado, here’s my pick of this season’s hottest handbags…

Mulberry Willow Tote in Mint Classic Calf, £1500, click here to buy

It’s mint green, it’s Mulberry, how could I NOT be in love with this bag!? To be honest I’m more than mildly obsessed with their entire SS13 collection thanks to Emma Hill’s plentiful application of mint green, broderie anglaise and some particularly inspired gecko print. This bag ticks every box for me. So delectable I want to swallow it whole and it’s roomy enough to fit camera, iPad, magazines and various British summer essentials (i.e umbrella, suncream, sunglasses and a scarf).

3.1 Phillip Lim Blush Snakeskin Mini Pashli Satchel, £755, click here to buy

I don’t need to tell you my feelings about the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli satchel. In a recent interview I may have admitted that one of my life ambitions is to own one in every colour. Despite that statement making me sound like an idiot, I stand by it. This understatedly luxe blush snakeskin mini version has sole out practically everywhere, ergo I now want it even more.

Marni Polkdot Bags. Left £725, Right £660 click here to buy

Marni is one of the few brands that simultaneously manages to do tongue-in-cheek quirk and pared down elegance. I’m not sure quite how this is even possible but Consuela Castiglioni manages it with a canny combination of cleaner than clean lines and playful polkadots… I’m sold.

Louis Vuitton Alma BB Monogram Bag, £900, click here to buy

Generally speaking, I’m a big bag kinda girl. Or at least I thought I was until Louis Vuitton released their “mini” collection. It’s pink, it’s shiny, it’s adorable beyond belief and I want it a LOT.

Burberry Blaze Bag in Metallic Snakeskin & Vinyl, £1795, click here to buy

One of Burberry’s most fantastic and no doubt highly profitable qualities is the inherent practicality of their products. Then again, it’s also a high fashion brand and fashion folk have a well known weakness for things that are deeply impractical and unashamedly in-your-face. This bag is both and that’s precisely why I love it. Possibly not as useful as a trusy trench coat but my, isn’t it shiny?

Sophie Hulme Black Leather Satchel, £500, click here to buy

As those of you who haven’t spent the past few seasons living under a rock (or somewhere without deparment stores on a internet connection) will definitely know, Sophe Hulme is one of the hottest young design talents in London right now. Sophie scooped up the Accessory Designer of the Year prize at the British Fashion Awards last autumn and her latest array of utilitarian yet playful bags are surely proof that the best is yet to come.

Anya Hindmarch Maxi Zip Satchel in Bluebell, £795, click here to buy

Rarely do I not crave pretty much everything Anya Hindmarch designs and this seasons Pomp and Pleasure collection was no exception. I absolutely adored suing their Maxi Zip satchel in bluebell during Fashion Week last month and very nearly cried when I had to return it to its rightful owners. Friends and family if you’re reading, my birthday is June 19th…

Smythson Eliot Large Tote, £1395, click here to buy

Oh Smythson, you do know how to tempt me. Not only does the Brit brand deliver most exquisite (and unfeasibly expensive) stationary, over the past couple of seasons they’ve seriously upped their handbag offering. Case in point, the elegant Eliot tote which currently features highly on my wish list.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Burg Boxer Medium Zipped Bag, £375, click here to buy

My first EVER designer handbag was from Marc by Marc Jacobs and I’ve used it pretty consitently since I got it for my 19th birthday almost 3 years ago now. I think it’s safe to say that Marc is a genius and everything he touches, including the latest accessories for his mainline’s super sweet little sister brand, turn to sartorial gold.

Miu Miu Craquele Tote, £870, click here to buy

Given my current state of largely entirely self inflicted brokeness the likelihood of me ever owning a Miu Miu handbag (or any of the bags on this list for that matter) grows slimmer by the day. Obviously that doesn’t stop me coveting their girlishly playful yet exquisitely chic styles.

Personally I can’t play favourites with these beautiful bags. I want, no I NEED them all! Which one would you pick?

Love Ella. X