Raffia Mini Double Bow Headband

I feel like Autumn/Winter 2011 is my lucky season as it draws inspiration from all of the fashion eras I should have been around for – especially the sixties, where on the runway we saw a curious blend of super-sexy fabrics such as leather and silk, but used in ladylike, prim 60s shapes for a sex-siren effect. For anyone who hasn’t tried the vintage look before, the devil is in the detail and a few classic accessories are invaluable.

You don’t need a whole new wardrobe to make this look work for you – if you’ve got a classic trench coat or a pea coat and a shift dress, to turn it into an on-trend look team the two with a simple contrasting leather handbag, a beehive and demure court shoes. Et voila, fashion magic is happening.

We’re a little obsessed at the moment with Fiorelli’s handbag designs for Dorothy Perkins, especially their beautifully simple square handbag in contrasting nude and black leather – it’s exactly like the kind of “best” handbag that my grandmother used to horde back in the day (and my grandma always looked impeccable). Forget big totes or horribly fussy OTT clutches, as the sixties purse is going to be your new best friend from now on.

Check out the gallery above to see all of our favourite sixties-inspired accessories.

Yellow "Beach Me Up" Bag

It’s always a joy to get a brand spanking new bag, but few are as all-important and eternally useful as a trusty beach bag, your very best friend for holidays in sunnier climes. Designed with the capacity to carry literally everything you need, from a tupperware beach picnic to a spare change of clothes for when the sun goes down (and if you’re like us, a cheeky bottle of Sangria), every girl should have one!

We’ve found a style to suit every different kind of beach babe, from Moroccan-inspired carpet prints to inspire the hippy traveller in you, to bold bright colours and cool slogans to catch everyone’s eye as you’re making your way down to the beach. One of our favourites here at Shiny Style is the folksy-style tote from Debenhams in a really pretty blue-and-white print that will look really cool with some distressed denim shorts and a floaty 70s-inspired blouse.

It’s June in two days, and so begins fashion’s most fun season. Long live summer!

Diamante Bow Clutch

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Black will always be chic, as will bows and a bit of sparkle. This clutch purse may look designer but it's actually a bargain from Accessorize.

Three days to go until Christmas Eve – festive decadence is in full swing, and I’m finding it very difficult to not look for every excuse under the sun to spend money on party outfits. If, like me, you’ve got a bit of a shopping itch from buying for other people, and not for yourself, then you might be in need of a little sparkly something to perk you up. Doctor Shiny prescribes a little clutch purse that will breathe new life into any tired old party outfit and perk you up – any of our recommended top 10 (above) will put a fashion spring in your step.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a good look for some new talent on crafts site Etsy, and it’s high time that I did again. Though you’re pretty much spoilt for choice perusing the site, seller Jennifer Witte, “interior design and art graduate that is crazy for anything and everything vintage” has been a stand-out name to me. The Cali-girl’s speciality is hand-painted vintage leather accessories that she hand-paints herself at home, then sells on through the site. No charity shop tat here – Jennifer’s very picky about the quality of the vintage item that she’ll work onto, so you know that there’s a lot of love going into each piece – and they’re all one-offs.

The designs that get painted onto her accessories are all very fresh, simple, girly and sweet; birds are a recurring theme in her work, as are flowers, trees and other animals. (They’re the kind of accessories that I can image  Bambi would carry, if Bambi had an interest in bags and shoes.) A personal favourite of mine is the vintage blue purse with the hand-painted whale, which is so adorable that my toes curl every time I think about it. For fans of the androgynous, leggy Brit-schoolgirl style that’s seen on the likes of Coco Sumner and Alexa Chung, who want satchels and leather shoes with a unique twist, Jennifer Witte’s Etsy shop is worth a look.

She’s also co-founder of an online Etsy store which sources beautiful vintage housewares and pretty little things. Have a peek at it here.

Brown Vintage Flats With Hand-Painted Cherry Blossoms

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Jennifer Witte

Her ongoing and successful range for Topshop has had us saving long and hard for some of her pieces, and now it seems her designing conquest is set to continue with news that she’ll be creating a range of handbags for Longchamp.

The model, who has fronted a number of campaigns for the brand will be working under the supervision of Longchamp’s artistic director Sophie Delafontaine to produce the collection thought to be out around the middle of February.

But if you don’t manage to get your hands on one of these this season don’t worry. According to Vogue this is one partnership that won’t be fading out after one season.

There is a huge range of smaller bags on the market today and if you can’t quite get over having to carry around the bare minimum you will still be able to get away with a medium sized tote.

We’ve put together a range of smaller daytime bags to help you get this season’s style with ease.

Click on the picture below to begin the gallery.

Yes the fabric may not be as plush, and they are probably more prone to wear and tear, but, unless they’re classic wardrobe must haves, do you really need anything more? After all fashion changes so quickly.

So we were really pleased when we spotted this Max C bag, which is similar to Chanel’s quilted bowling bag. We would be more than happy to have this stylish high street alternative on our shoulder especially when you consider the whopping price difference.

Max C comes in at a very reasonable £40 compared to Chanel’s £860. Leaving us more than enough left over to get matching shoes and outfits.

The Tabitha bag, has been created especially to help children in Bulgaria who have been abandoned and left in horrific institutions.

All proceeds (100%) are said to go towards supporting vulnerable children in Bulgarian care homes and fund the Baba Programme, which matches a mature woman with a young abandoned child in need of a loving, caring and safe relationship.

With the purchase of the Tabitha, it’s claimed you will be ensuring a child gets another six weeks with his or her Baba.

The bag was designed by Emma Ganderton who has held creative roles at Alice Temperley and Alberta Ferretti and is currently head of design for bags & accessories at leading UK retailer Jigsaw.

The bags cost £155 each and you can buy them here. We think it’s definitely a gift worth giving this Christmas.

Now, we’re not talking about low low prices here, but those of you who know how much Gucci and Prada bags cost, will understand why I’m so excited about this.

From tomorrow, and for three days only (ok now I sound like a DFS store advert), designer website BrandAlley is having a handbag sale.

It’s reducing a range of Miu Miu, Prada and Gucci bags by around £200 to £300.

We love the pictured red Miu Miu bag, which is now down to £479 from £700 and the white Gucci bag, which has been reduced from £1142 to £699.

Hmm I wonder if my bank will extend my overdraft, after all it’s for a good cause.