So, you’ve got your outfit on, your shoes have been picked, but which bag goes with them both? Finding accessories to complete your look can be the trickiest part of looking and feeling good.
When it comes to your bag, you need to make sure that it’s the right size and colour to complement your look, rather than overpower it. However, your bag can also be the focal point for your outfit if you want it to be!
Matching your bag to your shoes has always been the number one rule when it comes to accessorising an outfit, but now that’s not always the case. You can look just as stylish and as put together if you clash your colours, prints and patterns.
Black boots go just as well with a brown or coloured bag as they do with a black handbag. The same goes for other neutrals and colours. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and try a few different combinations to see which ones work best for you and your lifestyle.
With so many different styles available on the high street, the choice can be overwhelming. We want to break it down for you so you have a clear idea of which type of bags you need in your collection whether it is a tote bag or a shoulder bag.
Think of the different occasions when you need to take a bag with you; shopping trips, short breaks, social gatherings. Would you take the same bag for all? Probably not!
That’s why we’ve compiled this handy guide to show you which type of bag works best for certain activities. We’ll also show you which of our styles go best with our range of Chelsea boots to help you be the most stylish person for any outing!
Small bag for more casual events: concerts, casual nights out
For some occasions, a smaller bag is definitely needed. In many cases, you won’t be allowed into certain venues, like concerts, if your bag is too big! A smaller
https://www.rydale.com/collections/womens-shopper-bags means only carrying the essentials; mobile phone, keys, purse, mints, glasses or whatever you deem to be necessary.
Our Pippa Saddle bag is the perfect size for evenings out and comes in both leather and tweed. If you prefer a style that’s a little bigger and with more pockets inside, consider the Bramham Leather Boxy Cross Body Bag. The brown leather material will go with a whole host of outfits and it’s an investment piece, so it will last you for years to come!
Pair it with: Colourful Chelsea boots! You don’t have to go mad with colour but why not try a pair of classic Chelsea boots with a patterned twist? We have a cognac pair with animal print, a black pair with a silver-coloured back, and a navy pair with a red paisley elastic.
If you prefer to wear heels for these sort of events, a heeled pair of Chelsea boots is a great alternative. If leather is your thing, our cognac Kirby II Heeled Leather Chelsea boots are super on-trend as are our suede version. Our favourites are the navy and plum pair; roll up your jeans to just above the ankle to show off your snazzy boots!
Medium bag for every day: work, shopping trips
The ultimate medium sized bags must have plenty of pockets and space for gadgets as well as your other handbag essentials.
The Bramham Leather Tote Bag is a firm office favourite. It’s spacious enough for a small laptop or iPad, it’s durable so will see you through the years, and it has a zip to secure your belongings inside, which is extra useful when it’s raining!
A satchel-style bag will look extra chic for the office, with a choice of leather or tweed. The leather style would be great during the autumn and winter and when the weather brightens up, you could switch to the tweed style.
If you need a slightly bigger style of everyday bag that would fit an A4 folder in for example, our Lucinda Snaffle Tote Bag in tweed and leather would be better suited for you.
Don’t forget to pack a hessian shopping bag for all of your buys! Choose from six different, colourful designs, enough to suit any outfit!
Pair it with: Traditional leather Chelsea boots for work and comfortable pairs for shopping. In the office, you want to look as professional as possible, and when it’s raining outside, a pair of leather Chelsea boots are an alternative to shoes. Our Kirby Brogue Chelsea Boots in Cognac feel luxurious but appropriate for the workplace.
When out and about shopping, you need to be in a pair of Chelsea boots that will be comfortable all day long. Stick with a classic brown leather pair or opt for a black suede pair. Both pairs are easy to get on and off, which is especially handy if you’re going shoe shopping or plan on buying a new wardrobe full of clothing!
Backpack for walking: day trips
Sometimes you need your bag to just sit on your back and not be a distraction or have it falling off your shoulder.
For those occasions when you need to carry items but don’t need to be in your bag constantly, such as walking or during picnics, a backpack is the bag for you. Our Annabel Tweed Backpack in either Kate, our grey tweed, or Sally, our brown herringbone tweed, is the perfect size for day trips.
With a gorgeous bee print lining and equestrian inspired leather straps, you will be the chicest woman in the countryside when wearing this backpack. The satchel style look is always in fashion and will ensure you always stay on-trend with this bag.
Pair it with: Black or brown leather Chelsea boots. If you know you’ll be doing a lot of walking, especially in muddier areas, you’ll need a pair of boots that will be easy to clean afterwards. Patent leather gives your outfit an edgy look, especially in our Kirby II Patent Croc Leather Chelsea Boots in Black. If you’d rather stick to a traditional leather style, our classic Kirby Leather Chelsea Boots in Chocolate look great out in the countryside.
Large bag for overnight stays: one- or two-night trips away, hand luggage for flights
Although you might not need an overnight bag as often as other bags (unless you travel for work), it’s still important to have one stored in your wardrobe for when you need it.
They usually come in dark colours because we know you often must leave them on the floor in airports, hotels, and train stations. They need to be smaller than a suitcase but big enough to carry enough clothes and toiletries for a night or two.
Our Tweed Weekend Bag again comes in a grey tweed as well as a brown herringbone tweed. With internal pockets and a longer strap, it’s incredibly versatile. Prefer a plain style rather than a patterned bag?
Our Canvas Weekend Bag comes in a khaki shade, which is a classic, fashionable shade. Because they’re smaller than a suitcase, you’ll only take away essentials that you need for everyday life!
Pair it with: Flat Chelsea boots. You need to be as comfortable as possible when travelling. Try a neutral pair of leather Chelsea boots, like our Kirby Leather Chelsea Boots in Cognac or a suede pair, such as our Kirby Suede Chelsea Boots in Berry/Tweed. Wearing comfortable boots doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style. Adding a pop of colour to a neutral outfit gives it the much-needed cool factor.
With bags and boots, we recommend starting off with matching your neutrals together, so you know that everything matches. Once you get comfortable, then you can start to experiment with colours, patterns, and styles.
Chelsea boots are one of the most versatile pair of shoes you’ll ever have in your wardrobe, that you’ll probably end up buying another pair or two when you get used to them!