The SS13 trend for BIG bags: designer handbags to drool over

So, let’s talk handbags! What’s big for Spring Summer 13? Big bags!

Don’t you just love a big bag that can take you from day to night without having to swap all your junk into a tiny little bag? Supersized handbags look fabulous, are hard to miss and get lots of envious stares. A fab bag can completely transform your outfit and update it in an instant.

And I did say big bags, didn’t I? ‘Cos these are really big bags. Louis Vuitton had sequinned, leather-trimmed travel bags on the runway that were so big that they came carried by their own porter who walked with each model - I kid you not. Fendi showed large contrasting coloured doctor's bags in wool, pony skin and corduroy. Marc Jacob's went all retro with old-school leather gym bags in block colours.

But, it was Chanel who totally stole the headlines with an oversized hula hoop bag. You can’t buy this one, but you will be able to buy the mini version for €1,885. Well, maybe you will. I think I'll give this one a miss.

Leather handbags are timeless and this Spring Summer 13 you will see them in various styles including totes, clutches, shoulder bags, as well as satchels. But how about a perspex bag, like this one below?

One of the most talked about bags this year is set to be this, the Burberry Blaze. A torpedo shaped shoulder bag which comes in different jewel colours and different finishes, the most interesting of which is the see-through coloured vinyl with metallic python trim. Clear Perspex? Love the colours, but not sure I am ready for the whole world to see the contents of my handbag. And it’s $3,695!

Mulberry’s raspberry coloured Alexa satchel is a gorgeous bag and you can get a reasonably good copy of this from accessories website A-Schu.co.uk for £23.99.  The real one is of course, sturdier and made of soft buffalo leather, but it is a £895 splurge. The one from Accessorise isn’t bad either!

This classic icon by Hermès below, which starts in price at £5,000 has waiting lists for up to six years but if you can't wait (or save) for that long this Accessorise bag is not quite the same but it's still candy coloured and stylish.

But, you know it really is worth investing in a beautiful bag. Like a statement coat it's always seen, and you'll get years of use from it. So, if like me it is designer you desire, check out the Kilkenny Shop for an Orla Kiely, or head to TK Maxx or the fabulous Kildare Village, where you might just pick up the bag of your dreams for a fraction ofthe cost.

So see anything you like?