Your essential summer accessories guide: the shoes, sandals and bags to know for 2024
VICTORIA BECKHAM HITS THE HIGH STREET
She might be Posh but she’s no snob. The just-turned 50-year-old has offered up her design talents in a first collaboration with Spanish high street doyenne Mango. While some of us might have been thrilled by a revisit of her Real Madrid boho years, the collection is more in tune with her current fashion armour of cool, restrained minimalism inspired by Jane Birkin in the Côte d’Azur classic La Piscine. There are slip dresses and suiting on offer, but your smart money might just be on the accessories — a woven, angular, black basket bag (£170), canvas cross-body (£230) and these rather chic ankle strap sandals (£120) will elevate your summer look with remarkably little damage to your wallet.
Available now, mango.com
LONDON’S CHIC NEW COBBLERS
Are last summer’s sneakers looking shabby? You might be in luck. Veja has just cut the ribbon on their first London outpost (“the UK is our leading market in 2023, before France, Italy, Germany, Benelux and Spain,” says co-founder Sebastien Kopp) found in Seven Dials. The sustainably-minded shoe shop comes complete with a repair station, but the best bit? Their in-store cobbler station will scrub up all of your trainers, not just Vejas.
“We repair all kinds of shoes and brands because we consider that the waste generation on the fashion industry is not a brand issue, but an industry issue,” Kopp says. “Through our repairing services, we strengthen the physical durability of the pair compared to its original state. Through cleaning services, we increase the emotional durability of the product.” We’ll catch you in the queue.
Veja London, 45 Monmouth St, London WC2H, Repair from £5 — £80
SNAP UP ANYA’S SUMMER SOUVENIRS
The ever-rotating Anya Hindmarch outpost on Pont Street has morphed into its latest seasonal incarnation and we’re quite taken with it. Step into holiday mode for her kitsch reminiscing of kiss-me-quick souvenir kiosks of yore. You’ll find jaunty slogan caps (particularly into the ‘Reserved’ one), straw chapeaux and a mix of carefully curated brands, from Marrakshi Life kaftans to Vacation Inc sunscreen as well as Hindmarch’s sweet new raffia totes.
Until 29 May, 11 Pont Street, SW1
STRATHBERRY’S BAGS OF STRIPES
A piece from Strathberry’s rather chic, Andalusian-crafted collaboration with Collagerie will guarantee all-round summer cheer.
Large Bolo bag, £475, strathberry.com
WE’VE FOUND YOUR NEW SHOE CRUSH
Let us direct you to our latest shoe obsession: Ugo Paulon. The brainchild of London-based Danish designer Elise Born, her sculpted heels with hand painted details and silver elements in collaboration with jeweller Freya Douglas Ferguson are the ideal way to up your foot game. Her small product drops are a modern approach taken with serious flair.
From £390, ugopaulon.com
THE CULT BAG BRAND TO KNOW
Warsaw-based Zofia Chylak has been quietly producing her covetable bags for 10 years and her designs are catnip for those in the know who prefer more under-the-radar arm candy. Everything is produced in Poland, which means prices aren’t eye watering while the quality is impeccable. Her new collection takes a pretty, folkloric cue from the women of Żywiec in the south of the country, with models photographed in mesmerising traditional layered lace dresses alongside some of the city’s residents in full garb. The bags and cool ballet flats are adorned with characterful bows — a motif of the dress — and give just enough coquette to Chylak’s otherwise restrained styles.
From £279, chylak.com
THE 5 BEST SANDALS FOR SUMMER, BY JESSICA SKEETE-CROSS
DUNE Leebra sandals, £85, dunelondon.com
GEOX Brionia sandals, £110, geox.com
MARNI Fussbett sandals, £590, marni.com
DEAR FRANCES Wrap sandals, £380, uk.dearfrances.com
CAMPER Twins sandals, £185, farfetch.com
THE LUXE CULT PIECES TO SHOP NOW
PRADA Galleria handbag, £6,300, 16-18 Old Bond Street, W1 (020 7647 5000)
DIOR Lady Dior in strawberry pink, £4,200, 160-162 New Bond Street, W1 (020 7172 0172)
BURBERRY Rocking Horse bag, £1,350; Leather Bay mules, £890 (burberry.com)
MM6 MAISON MARGIELA Anatomic Ballerinas in Aloe Vera, £450 (maisonmargiela.com)
MAX MARA woven leather Marine bag, £2,200 (maxmara.com)
RUSSELL & BROMLEY Westside clogs, £345 (russellandbromley.co.uk)
IZIE Port sandals, £595 (izie.co.uk)
