It’s time for a spring wardrobe switch-up: your winter coats, thermals and knits are ready to go into storage and be replaced by trench coats, light sweaters and cotton separates. The outside temperatures have crept up a few degrees and with that comes the blissful ease of leaving the house in just a few layers.
As you reassess your day-to-day wardrobe, don’t forget to consider your accessories. Those cosy sheepskin boots you have luxuriated in all winter can be replaced by a ballet flat or a soft suede trainer. Bulky handbags in shades of black and brown can appear heavy against spring’s light and effortless outfits, so you might want to switch those out for something brighter.
If you’re wondering where to start for your accessories refresh, take a look at Italian designer Chiara Daverio’s new collections, which are teeming with bags in delightful pastel shades. Based in Milan, Chiara is inspired by the stylish world that surrounds her in Italy’s fashion capital.
Balancing elegant design with practicality, each style is crafted from leather and, quite wonderfully, handmade. This level of craftmanship usually comes with an eye-watering cost, but £230 is a more affordable starting price.
Whilst Chiara Daverio’s designs are built to last, they also tap into plenty of SS24 trends. Here are some of the handbag styles to look out for this season, and the looks to match.
Micro bags
Micro bags were in abundance on the SS24 catwalks. Diminutive designs no bigger than an iPhone were seen at Fendi, Givenchy, Gucci and Versace. The Chiara Daverio Mini Lady top handle bag offers a practical take on the trend; compact in size with a prim top handle, whilst being large enough to hold all your essentials. We also love that this bag has a choice of top handle or crossbody strap, so that you can go hands free on the days you’re running about town.
Pastels
Pastels for spring? Groundbreaking. However there’s no denying that this season, more than any other, belongs to pastel tints. On the SS24 catwalks there was no escaping soft shades – think sky blues, washed-out lilacs and lemon yellows.
If you’re a neutral dresser, head-to-toe colour can feel intimidating, reach for a pastel handbag for an accessible way to dip your toe into this trend. Daverio’s Milano handbag in the shade ‘light sun’ is our pick for trialling this, which is crafted in a structured shape inspired by well-dressed women that inhabit Milan.
Wear your Milano with an oversized trench coat and a large pair of sunnies for a put together, yet easy, spring outfit.
We also love the unusual design of the Glo Glon bag which features a wide wrist strap with an ornate fabric panel and comes in a plethora of pastel shades from baby pinks to minty greens and aqua blues. This dressy little number is great for a dinner date, and will be a talking point at the table thanks to its unique design.
Top handles
Nothing quite feels as put together and ladylike as a prim top handle bag. If you’re striving to look luxurious, this is the style to go for! Seen on the catwalks at Prada and Raf Simons ‘proper ladylike bags’, similar to the signature style the late Queen Elizabeth used to carry, are going to be everywhere in 2024.
You’re spoilt for choice with top handle designs in the Chiara Daverio collections. The Min Lady and Milano designs come in just about every shade of the rainbow. The signature silver monogrammed CD hardware featured in all designs (that charmingly, looks like a little handbag!) further elevates Daverio’s designs for that grown-up look.
To complete your ladylike outfit, add a printed silk scarf to your – either knotted on your bag or loosely tied at the neck. Daverio’s brightly printed ‘foulards’ are made by artisans in Lake Como, Italy. Her passion for this accessory was passed down to her from her grandmother, who had an endless collection of foulards that she loved to wear on every occasion and every season.
To continue the pastel mood, we suggest investing in the Carré 90 “Light Lines” Pastel pink, which will add a touch of spring to all your outfits.
You can’t go wrong with any of the charming retro foulard designs however, once you have one you’ll likely want to collect them all.
