Spring trends are in the bag

The easiest way to swing into spring fashion? With an eye-catching bag, a carefully chosen piece to anchor your new season outfits.

The Jigsaw pyramid clutch, available from jigsaw-online.com. Photo: PA Photo/Handout

And right now the high street is bursting with designer-inspired totes, clutches and even bumbags, so you can tick off a catwalk trend or two with your chosen arm candy.

These are the bags you’ll be holding dear this season...

BACK IT UP

Backpacks have been hanging around for a few seasons now, but for SS16, Rick Owens took the trend to the extreme, sending his models down the catwalk as human backpacks, strapped on to other models.

We’re not suggesting you try that though! Instead, swap last year’s boxy, multi-pocket rucksack for a slouchy one in a bucket or triangular shape, effortlessly melding chic minimalism with hands-free practicality.

La Portegna Coral Maria Leather Rucksack, £300 (www.laportegna.com)

Ecco Sculptured Backpack, £269.99 (www.ecco.com)

Fiorelli Callie Grey Medium Drawstring Backpack, £69 (www.houseoffraser.co.uk)

RACE FOR SPACE

Between British astronaut Tim Peake blasting off to the International Space Station and The Martian getting nominated for an Oscar, visions of outer space have been everywhere recently - it was only a matter of time before fashion picked up the scent.

Take inspiration from Chanel’s shiny accessories and Loewe’s voluminous silver metallic flares by grabbing a mirrored clutch or strapping on a jetpack-esque backpack.

Jigsaw Pyramid Clutch, £69 (www.jigsaw-online.com)

Ecco SP Backpack, £274.99 (www.ecco.com)

NINETIES REDUX

In another example of a Nineties trend taken to the max, models on the Maison Margiela catwalk wore bumbags as crop tops.

If the memory of a neon zip-up slung around your waist circa 1990 makes you shudder, you obviously haven’t laid eyes on the latest incarnation of the pre-millennium favourite - small, leather and chic, these mini marvels make an edgy addition to a Nineties-inspired slip dress and trainers combo.

Whistles Bleecker Leather Bumbag, reduced to £65 from £95 (www.houseoffraser.co.uk)

Radley London Floral Street Small Flap Over Grab Bag (can be worn three ways, including as a bumbag), £99 (www.radley.co.uk)

BIT OF ALL WHITE

Snowy whites are to be aspired to if the Marni and Marc Jacobs catwalks are anything to go by, where utilitarian shapes and pale hues reigned.

Scared to swap your usual fail-safe black for an expanse of spotless leather? Try toughening up the look by mixing in a bit of chrome - think studs, eyelets or metal work handles - for contrast, a la Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton.

And extra points for chunky metallic ring details, as seen on Chloe’s must-have SS16 bags.

Matt & Nat Baxter Mist Bag, £105 (www.mattandnat.com)

River Island White Eyelet Bowler Bag, £42 (www.riverisland.com)

Topshop Bag, £28 (in store April; www.topshop.com)

URBAN JUNGLE

Give your spring ensembles some animal magic with the hide of the season: snakeskin slithered onto the catwalks at Prada and sister brand Miu Miu (think boxy grab bags with chunky handles), and at Gucci (sizeable satchels with stripes of primary colours).

Imitation snakeskin in natural tones is the easiest way to work this trend into your wardrobe, but for a flash of faux fun, a jewel-toned clutch is the way to go.

New Look Black Snakeskin Print Shopper Bag, £24.99 (www.newlook.com)

Faux Real Clutch by Skinnydip, £28, Topshop (www.topshop.com)