These are the 3 bags to invest in for AW18, according to the Net-A-Porter gang

You heard it here first

(Image credit: rex)

You heard it here first

There are the timeless designer handbags that will always be worth investing in, ie, your Chanel boy bags, Chloe Nile cross bodys or even your Loewe puzzle bags.

Then there are the classics in the making, the niche designer brands that you might not have heard of yet, but are about to serve up the next IT bag.

And no-one knows how to find them quite like Net-A-Porter, who lest we forget were one of the first to stock the likes of STAUD, Ganni and more.

So we asked NAP's Fashion Director Lisa Aiken to share her top handbag buys for AW18. For her, it's all about the brands that can offer product under £500, as it's the site's strongest selling category (up 70% since the previous season).

'For FW18 we’ve bought into lots more contemporary bag brands such as By Far, Trademark and GU_DE,' she confirms.

Lisa adds, 'we can’t talk about contemporary bags without mentioning the success of Wandler. I love the fact that they have had such a huge hit with the Hortensia and developed that into new styles like the Luna. It appeals to the customer thanks to its understated, minimal aesthetic.'

Wandler Hortensia bag, £645 at Net-A-Porter

If you have to narrow it down to just three (tough, yes), these are the ones Lisa's backing for next season.

The By Far 90s vibe baguette bag (launching soon)

Trademark’s new bucket bag (pictured above, launching soon)

GU_DE’s 1970s inspired mock croc bags (launching soon)

However, if you're not ready to move onto next season yet, or simply can't wait for these beauties to launch, here are the four best-selling bag brands on NAP right now. loo

Cult Gaia Angelou tassel bag, £365 on Net-A-Porter

Staud Moreau bag, £310 on Net-A-Porter

Danse Lente Johnny bag, £295 at Net-A-Porter

Yuzefi biggy bag, £495 at Net-A-Porter

Of course, there's always room for surprise hits, however given that STAUD's Moreau bag was the most popular accessory at London Fashion Week last season, and the Cult Gaia Bamboo Ark bag was on everyone's arm last summer, we reckon it's worth following Lisa's recommendations.

There's nothing like having the next It bag before everyone else.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.