Autumn is bringing us the vast mega bag–handbags. That a chihuahua would get lost inside.
The summer season will soon close, and the ‘ultra-mini’ handbag is already over.
A golden Labrador would be more appropriate for this season’s new yellow £1,000 VAARA bowling bag, one of many ultra-large handbags trickling onto Bond Street.
Others are made by Fendi and Alexander McQueen, with most costing around £2,000.
What does Cos produce?
Some high-street versions are beginning to appear, too. Cos makes a £59 polyester mega bag (a leather version goes for £250). While Spanish label Bimba y Lola is selling its XXL Mango shopper bag for £93. It has been flying off the buckling rails.
The creamy calf leather VAARA took my fancy as Julia Hall. A former Victoria Beckham couturier is the brand’s new lead designer.
VAARA owner Tatiana Korsakova tells me: ‘I wanted to create an elegant multi-tasking handbag. And could take you from school run to supper in style.’
Charlotte Griffiths experiences the bag.
With those words ringing, I snapped one up and took it for a spin at the local supermarket.
The first sign of trouble came when it failed to fit in my trolley. When I had eventually wedged it in. There was no space left for a box of eggs or a pack of loo rolls.
Ditching the groceries, I decided to pop down the high street for some retail therapy.
On the plus side, there was plenty of room for purchases. But it was less convenient when I nipped into the department store loos and failed to fit into a cubicle.
I snuck into the disabled space instead, as it was the only one big enough.
Next, it was time to reapply my lippy. But the VAARA had swallowed my make-up bag and arm when I leaned in to fish it out.
It is an authentic handbag.
I feared the worst for my keys. There are compartments (it is an authentic handbag, after all). So, I made a note to keep a chart of what’s where next time.
Finally, it was time for the school run. My three-year-old asked if I was like Mary Poppins. While my two-year-old tried to climb in it so she could be carried home.
Later, I called my favorite fashion expert Jo Elvin to ask whether I was on-trend.
Naturally, she was already using an XXL bag. ‘Someone picked up mine and asked me. She asked if I had a body in there because it was so heavy. ‘Because it fits so much, you’re in danger of making it the same weight as you.
‘A lot of women like big handbags. There’s a security in having everything in there.’
I returned to the office to type up my thoughts. Sadly we have revolving doors, so I got trapped.
Still, at least the leather is soft.
