Team Who What Wear may only have distant memories of being students, but we still crave the thrill of a fresh uniform for a new term (aka season) and the orderly satisfaction of a freshly stocked pencil case, although, these days, it's more the smell of a new leather bag that sets our hearts racing.
Thanks to the Great British high street, there are plenty of affordable bag styles available for the discerning shopper, many of which could be mistaken for their high-end counterparts.
This season's offering feels decidedly retro, with plenty of mock-croc, tortoiseshell, baguettes and structured silhouettes dominating the summer collections. Our favourites include Mango's sage crossbody (totally set to be the colour of the season), COS's black belt bag (a must-have addition to a jumpsuit) and Topshop's link shoulder bag, which looks like it could've been transported straight from the arm of Mossy circa 1995. What more could you want?
Scroll down to discover the coolest bags available on the high street now.
Shop the High-Street Bag Edit
A baguette is never a bad idea.
A small but mighty addition to your summer wardrobe.
The sage-green hue of this Charles & Keith bag is so 2019.
You'll fit your whole life in this.
A shopper, but make it chic.
Related: The Accessory That Changes Your Look More Than Bags, Shoes or Jewellery
A bucket bag at a pocket-friendly price point.
Scarf bags are set to spike this summer.
The tortoiseshell detailing on this is so chic.
An essential addition to a simple cream knit.
This will offer a retro spin to any outfit.
Butter-soft nude leather + gold-tone chain = high-street heaven.
On-trend snake print meets roomy practicality.
The simplicity of this Zara bag is so satisfying.
Upgrade your black tote with a tortoiseshell handle.
We need some cow print in our wardrobe this season.
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Prediction: This New COS Bag Will Be Impossible to Get Your Hands on Very SoonI might even prefer it to *that* crossbody.
