Handbags are a staple of every woman’s wardrobe. They are useful and beautiful, ticking two boxes immediately. 2016’s handbags trends are set to continue throughout the year, so here is our guide to finding the perfect one for you.

Whilst there are many fashion considerations when choosing a new handbag, they are also a very personal item. The size and colour you choose will largely depend on you and your preferences. Some people prefer small handbags whereas others have lots of items they need to carry around with them and prefer a more substantial bag. If you are a student or attend a lot of meetings, you may want to choose a bigger handbag as a stylish way of keeping all of your stationery and books in one place.

Colours and patterns this season are bright and bold. The handbags which are being seen on the runways are appearing in a variety of shades, with orange and blue being especially prevalent. Geometric designs are popular and will really make a statement.

If you’d prefer a more neutral pattern, that’s not a problem – as long as you’ve got something of interest within the design, you can still have a highly fashionable look. Animal prints are still popular and snakeskin works very well for handbags. Be very careful to avoid real animal skins as these will usually have come from the illegal hunting trade.