Best bags for spring/summer 2016: From chic clutches to grown-up backpacks

No longer an afterthought, accessories are in a league of their own, providing a focal point for any outfit. From trusty totes to evening clutches, Emma Akbareian rounds up the essential arm candy every wardrobe needs

Burberry, spring/summer 2016 (Dan Medhurst)

Backpack

Thanks to its ubiquitous presence on catwalks and in stores for numerous seasons, the backpack has graduated from its formerly reserved domain of schoolgoers and cyclists to make a place for itself in the everyday wardrobe. Good news for the practically minded because it's probably one of the most utilitarian styles out there, owing to the hands-free portability it allows.

But practicality doesn't have to mean forgoing style, as demonstrated by the growing list of brands as disparate as Chanel, Alexander Wang and Versace, all of whom have added rucksacks to their collections. Burberry made the backpack the backbone of its spring/summer 2016 collection: the nylon style, available in a range of colours and sizes, also has the added benefit of a monogramming service for that personal touch.

Tote

If you only ever owned one bag, it should probably fall under this category. Not for nothing is the tote a perennial favourite: practically sized, versatile and able to adapt to a number of occasions. Tote bags may once have been a rather staid affair available only in conventional leather hues but nowadays the options are endless: from space-age metallic designs as seen at Raf Simons's final Dior show for spring/summer 2016, to the more traditional granny-chic styles shown at Gucci.

Dior, spring/summer 2016

The reign of the it-bag may be over but the tote bag provides the battle opportunity for brands. Entering the ring this season is Christian Louboutin, who is upping his handbag game with the Paloma – an uncharacteristically discreet, structured tote.

Clutch

Whereas every other bag in your wardrobe needs to be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing, when it comes to purchasing a clutch bag it's all style over substance. And while oversized clutches have become something of a trend in recent years, for spring it's razzle-dazzle tiny box bags we're concerned with.

Valentino, spring/summer 2016

Minaudières, to give them the technical name, have become more of a jewellery-box trophy piece than mere accessory. This season at Valentino they came in sleek black embossed with a gold leopard motif. Sure, you might not actually be able to fit a phone inside, but it's acceptable to throw all reasoning out of the window for one night only, especially when it comes to accessorising with something this covetable.

Cross-body

Wild flowers and pampas grass provided the backdrop for Coach's easy-breezy hippie-inspired show for spring/summer 2016, an appropriate venue to showcase its new saddlebag, a soft leather over-the-shoulder number inspired by a courier bag from the 1970s found in the brand's archive. Cross-body bags are traditionally more casual owing to the insouciant "I just threw this on" attitude they're often combined with.

Coach, spring/summer 2016

The 1970s have been a major reference point for designers for several seasons now; for accessories this has translated well to these styles, complemented by an abundance of suede and fringing. For something a little more formal, a structured shape will offset the relaxed feel of the shoulder strap.