Hannah Lu Loves

Trend Report: Bucket Hats

Bucket hats have been back on the scene for a while and they don’t appear to be going anywhere any time soon. All of the major fashion houses are involved with the trend but the brand that really brought these back into the limelight for me was Prada with their nylon version which is available in an amazing colour selection. Bucket hats can be a bit of a marmite fashion accessory though – you’ll either love them or hate them and they haven’t always had the best reputation. Unlike other types of headwear like beanies, fedoras, or berets, buckets have struggled to reach the same level of mainstream appeal. But as the high end designers continue to push this style, the more they are becoming acceptable and even coveted items.

A step back in time..

The bucket hat originated in the 1900s and were typically made from wool or tweed, worn by Irish fishermen and farmers as protection from the rain. It’s has had several comebacks since then and whether they bring back memories of Kevin and Perry, the 60s mods, the 90s rave culture or from the hip hop scene, the bucket hat is once again the accessory piece to be seen in.

Revival..

Prada tried to bring the trend back in 2005 but it never quite took off. Moving forward into Spring/Summer 2018, Chanel featured bucket hats on the runway and they also appeared again in Dior’s Autumn/Winter 2019 collection. Since then, Prada has had a huge success with bucket hats and the trend has branched out with various other designers including them in their accessory collections.

The catwalk presence along with the huge popularity on Instagram has also helped to kick start everyone’s interest again. Celebs such as Rhianna and Billie Eilish and many more have been wearing these countless times also adding to the appeal of the bucket hat being back in fashion and the style to be seen in.

A trend or a new classic?

So what is it about the bucket hat that has everyone excited again? It could be because they are not age restrictive – anyone from teenagers to the more mature fashionista can look stylish wearing one. They also go with literally everything and are so easy to wear. A basic relaxed shirt and jeans combo paired with a bucket hat can easily top off the look, or added with loungewear for a casual street style vibe. They are now available in so many colours, prints and textures, that adding a bucket hat to an outfit can really polish the whole look.

The last 2 years of lockdowns has seen fashion moving into a more relaxed style which will also play a part in the popularity of these hats.

I’ve been wearing my black Prada bucket hat with colourful prints and oversized sweaters, with casual loungewear and a pair of air force 1 or Nike Jordan sneakers. Because it’s in a classic black colourway, it’s perfect to add to any outfit, whereas with a patterned version you might be slightly more restricted in what you pair it with. I definitely want to invest in more colours, as well as into other designer brands and have fun styling them. In particular, I’m loving the selection at Dior and Fendi with their classic logo prints. A fully colour co-ordinated look would also be amazing and something I want to try out for a full matching colour aesthetic.

Shop some of my favourite bucket hats..

What are your thoughts on the resurgence of the bucket hat?

Links to previously written trend reports are Here or Here

Trend Report: Mini handbags

Jacquemus mini bags

image @ Jacquemus Instagram

Mini handbags are having a major moment. They are all over Instagram, were spotted being worn at the recent fashion weeks, as well as making numerous appearances on the red carpet. In a world where mobile phones are turning into the size of laptops, and sneakers are getting chunkier by the day, I wonder, what is it about these teeny tiny handbags that is getting everyone excited, and is it worth spending the money on something that doesn’t actually have enough space to carry anything?

The Jacquemus effect

French designer brand Jacquemus were responsible for bringing this trend back and in a big way. Simon Port, the designer behind the brand is known for his use of bold bright colours and structured simple silhouettes. Jacquemus had every model carrying a mini bag for their AW18 show, which led to his bags being spotted on celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Rihanna.

Jacquemus mini bags

image @ Jacquemus Instagram

The Le Chiquito bag was then introduced which was even smaller. These mini bags can be worn across the body as well as with the top handle feature. At just over 4 inches wide though, the £450 price tag is a little eye watering. This particular style is consistently selling out and has everyone trying to get their hands on one. These have become THE stand out piece that you will instantly recognise as Jacquemus and have really elevated the brand into the accessories spot light.

Jacquemus mini bags

Jacquemus mini bags

image @ Jacquemus Instagram

Mini bag mania

We are starting to see other brands incorporating similar mini items into their range. Chanel have bought out a classic flap handbag which has a mini coin purse attached, as well as a waist bag with 2 mini purses which are just gorgeous. Louis Vuitton have their own version with the latest ‘muli pochette’ bag which is a body bag with a detachable round coin purse.

Chanel Flap Bag & Coin PurseChanel Waist Bag & Coin Purse

Although mini bags are not entirely practical, they are a cute addition to an outfit, and perhaps it’s a good way to stop yourself from carrying around everything including the kitchen sink. Just a bank card, your keys (possibly your phone but unlikely) and you’re good to go! Carrying large heavy handbags is really bad for the posture after all.

I can definitely see why celebrities are loving this trend as they will have a team of people in the background carrying the real items that they need on a daily basis.

Mini handbag Edit

Here are a few of my favourite mini handbags available at the moment.

Chanel Clutch With Chain
Chanel Clutch With Chain
JACQUEMUS Le Chiquito Micro leather tote @ MyTheresa
JACQUEMUS Le Petit Chiquito leather tote @ MyTheresa
JACQUEMUS Le Bello leather belt bag @ MyTheresa
ASOS DESIGN micro grab bag with curved flap and detachable strap
GUCCIBroadway crystal-embellished elaphe tote
JACQUEMUSLe Porte leather pouch @ Netaporter
And Other Stories Beaded Handle Mini Leather Bag
Boohoo Faux Snake Mini Lock Grab Bag
Zara 2-PACK OF MINI NEON BAGS
Zara Animal print mini crossbody bag with scarf
Topshop – CINDY Lime Mini Cross Body Bag
Miss Guided diamante buckle mini bag
Topshop Half Moon Mini Grab Bag
Topshop Cow Print Grab Mini Bag

Personally, I do like a small handbag but feel that the mini styles are a bit of a step out of my comfort zone. Sometimes with designer items, it seems that the smaller the item, the higher the price becomes and I would rather invest in a classic designer handbag that I know I will get a lot of use out of for seasons to come. I don’t like carrying a load of stuff around with me but I at least expect my bag to hold everything that I do need for every day use!

What do you think of the mini handbag trend?

Are you loving them or do you think they are a bit of a pointless fashion trend?

Leave me a comment below xx

Johnny Loves Rosie – my go to place for accessories

Johnny Loves Rosie has been one of my favourite brands for a while. They always have such beautiful leather handbags and accessories so I was really excited to try out a piece from their new AW18 headwear collection.

Leopard print is such a huge trend at the moment and I am a huge animal print fan so this headband is going to be a perfect statement piece to wear this season. This is a classic band shape with a pretty bow on the side and it is really comfortable to wear. There is nothing worse than when you wear one that digs into you and gives you a blinding headache! There are a few bow headband options on the Johnny Loves Rosie website as well as pretty jewel encrusted style which will be perfect or the up coming festive season.

I have been wearing this piece with knitwear and jeans, as well as roll neck tops with leather leggings. It also looks fab with a winter teddy coat. It looks great with so many outfit combinations, I’m obsessed!

You can shop on the Johnny loves Rosie website HERE and these are a few of my top picks!

The new AW18 handbags I’m loving by Smith & Canova

There’s something so nice about a brand new handbag. That fresh leather smell, that perfectly smooth material and that beautiful clean interior waiting to be used. The way I feel about handbags is a bit like how some people feel about buying a new car. A quality bag is an investment, something you will get a lot of use out of and something you will enjoy using all the time. I recently came across the brand Smith and Canova and I’m so pleased that I did! They are a UK based company that specialise in leather handbags and accessories for both men and women. So as you can imagine, they instantly caught my attention.

Style and quality

The Smith and Canova family have been in the leather handbag industry for over 100 years so they know a thing or two when it comes to quality. Whenever I look for a new bag I always look for a few key features and these are my top tips of things to look out for:

  • Hardware – try to avoid plastic coated buckles or rivets as these will not be very long lasting and will start to cheapen the look of your handbag. Instead, look for styles that have solid metal hardware. If these are engraved with the brand name this is even better.
  • Zips – similar to hardware, I always like to ensure my handbag has a good quality zip. A sturdy zip will lengthen the lifespan of your handbag.
  • Logos – choose bags that have an embossed foil logo as these will not scratch off easily.
  • Stitching – pay attention to the stitching. Avoid bags with loose threads or messy, unfinished stitches. One of the reasons that Hermes Birkin bags in particular are so expensive is because they are handcrafted using a single thread. The slightest snag in the thread and they re-start the production of the whole bag.
  • Material – this is probably the most important factor when buying a new bag. You will always be able to tell real leather by the smell and the feel of it. I just love buttery soft leathers that get better with age.
  • Dust bag – finally, it is important to protect your handbag when it’s not being used and a dust bag is for this very purpose. If your handbag comes with one of these, then you know you have a quality item.

Josephine Satchel

Smith and Canova very kindly sent me the Josephine satchel from their AW18 collection to try and as soon as I saw this handbag I fell in love! You can instantly feel the craftsmanship and quality of this piece. The handbag arrived in a stunning box with an embossed rose gold logo which was lined with tissue paper. Such a sophisticated little detail that makes you instantly feel special! The bag itself was stored inside its own little dust bag which will be a great way to keep it safe and in the best possible condition.

Features

This style has a long handle so you can wear this across your body as well as on the shoulder. The strap is adjustable too which I love as it means you can have it the perfect length just for you. The front is a flap over style which makes it so much easier to get inside quickly. This is perfect for someone like me that is always on the go and travelling around a lot. The flap over is secured by magnetic poppers and inside there are two main compartments. I have been using these for larger items such as my purse and a mini make up bag. 

There are also 2 slip pockets and an inner zip compartment. I have been using these for smaller items such as my travel card and keys which I want to keep safely secured. 

For a satchel this is a really nice size. It is not too large that it overshadows your outfit but it is roomy enough to hold all of your bits and bobs. This particular style is available in a pretty baby pink colour also. However, this grey version goes with so many outfits and is a lot easier to style with all of the Autumn trends that are out there at the moment.  You can read about the key trends for the season in my recent blog post HERE.

Smith and Canova have some really gorgeous designs so check out their website HERE 

Overall I was so impressed with the AW18 collection and the variety of styles available. I have my eye on a pretty pink backpack and a bright yellow purse to add to my collection next!

What is your favourite Smith & Canova style? Leave me a comment below!

CaseApp – The phone accessories that you will fall in love with!

I absolutely love accessories and so when I recently came across CaseApp I was so excited. If you haven’t heard of them yet, then guys you are in for such a treat! CaseApp specialise in phone cases and laptop skins and they give you the freedom to create the exact design that you like. They also offer their own pre-made designs if creating isn’t really your thing and they literally have hundreds of styles to choose from. Trust me, you will be spoilt for choice.

Phone case heaven!

The first thing that really drew me in to this website was that they have cases for Samsung phones. Finally a company that cater for us Android users! Honestly, for years I have looked for decent cases for my phone and have always felt disappointed as they are always for I-phones and never for my phone. This has always really bugged me. CaseApp have got it covered with the phone ranges that they cater for though. If you gave a Nokia, I-phone or Samsung you will find something for your model. You can even design a skin for your laptop or Ipad for various brands which is great.

The design process

The whole design process couldn’t be any simpler. You don’t need to have an art degree or have to deal with any tricky software to do this.

Firstly, you select the model of your phone. Then you get the option of either a matt or glossy finish that you would like your case to have. I personally like a matt finish and this is what I decided on when creating my designs. You will be taken to a blank canvas silhouette of your chosen phone case and then the fun can really begin!

You can upload an image that you would like to be on your case, or you can choose pre-set clip art designs or phrases to play around with. I designed my cases directly from my mobile and uploaded my images in seconds. You are able to scale these uploaded images to fit the shape of the phone case really easily.

Once I got going I became hooked on trying out new ideas. But finally, after a whole evening of playing, I settled on 2 designs. The first design was a classy snake print which is THE animal print of this Autumn/Winter season which you will have already read about on my recent fashion post here. The second design was a really cute graphic image of a little hand symbol on a pink fluffy background.

The final product

I placed my order and literally within the next couple of days and received them through the post! I love a fast delivery and I wasn’t expecting to receive them so quickly which was fabulous. Overall I am really impressed with the quality of these cases and at £19 these are a really good price point. They are made of a sturdy, quality hard case material and I can see that the printing on these is not going to scratch or peel off like I have experienced in the past with other cases.

You can really go to town with the designing of these. If you’re a business owner, why not upload your logo onto your phone? It would definitely catch people’s attention. If you like personalised items like I do, you could create a really pretty background with just your initials on the case.

Treat yourself with my discount code!

So if you fancy getting yourself a new phone case or laptop skin, I have a discount code that you can use throughout the month of October. Head over to the CaseApp website HERE and use my unique discount code HANNAHLULOVES20 receive 20% off your order. Don’t forget to send me pictures of your designs as I would love to see what you created!

This post features products that were gifted, however all reviews are my own and as always my honest opinion.

 

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