Winner of the second annual BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad initiative in 2011, Sophie Hulme has developed a wide fan base amongst men and women alike. With it’s classic, minimalistic look and it’s conveniently large size, Hulme’s signature totes are the brand’s best selling piece and have sold out five times in 2011 at Selfridges.

According to Sanjee – Brand Assistant at Selfridges – Sophie Hulme’s is the only brand in which customers opt to buying first and questioning later.

We wanted to find out what motivates people to do this and why the bag has become such a best seller!

Sophie Hulme’s totes are available in a variety of different colours and styles. With every new season, Hulme’s modifies the bag slightly to offer a new experience for the wearer without abandoning the initial design.

Generally made of leather and brass plating, the Sophie Hulme Double Plate Tote is made of durable and hard to manipulate leather. Definitely a long lasting piece, the bag is waterproof (excluding the opening above of course) and includes a fun charm with every new season.

Here’s our Co-Founder and Business Developing Director, Lenka, modelling the bag! She stands at 174cm (5’8 feet) with an added 4 inch heel.

The bag measurements differ slightly between 32cm x 33cm x 11cm and 35cm x 42cm x 13cm. These size are big enough to allow you to carry a small laptop or tablet pc in style as well as your other day-to-day belongings.

With it’s androgynous look, the Sophie Hulme Double Plate Tote (RRP: £580 at Selfridges via bagservant.co.uk) is also very popular amongst men. We can see why as the bag is simplistic and definitely looks unisex in black. With two slip pockets and a detachable shoulder stap, this Sophie Hulme bag is clearly a handy piece for both men and women.

The Sophie Hulme Mini Envelope Bag (RRP: From £265  via bagservant.co.uk) is another extremely popular bag from Hulme’s bag line. An Editor for the Telegraph told us that the Mini Envelope Bag is “comfortable for wearing on a bike and can also be used as an evening bag.” With it’s detachable shoulder strap the Mini Envelope Bag can easily multi-task as a stylish clutch to help and busy, working woman!

With it’s varying colours and ability to adapt to suit any style of situation, it’s become clear why Sophie Hulme’s bag is so popular amongst the ladies (and men!). We recommend Sophie Hulme’s totes and Mini Evelope bags for Boardroom Perfectionist, Confident Classique and Miss Practical.

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The rucksack 

The 90s version… 

The 2013 version by Sophia Webster

The transparent bag 

The 90s version…

The 2013 version by Marc Jacobs

The flowers 

The 90s version… 

The 2013 version by Sophie Hulme  

Let us know which bags you prefer or tweet us a snap of some of your most vintage handbags! @BagServant #vintagebagtrend

From satchels to clutches in simple colours or detailed patterns, Sophie Hulme’s collection epitomises city fashion. But, when we go back to basics, we always turn back to the reliable and effortlessly cool Buckle Tote. The Sophie Hulme Buckle Tote is traditional, stylish and extremely practical. Loaded with recognisable Sophie Hulme traits this Structured buckle tote is a must-have for any girl about town.

What are they made of? 

There are actually two types of leathers used for the Sophie Hulme Buckle Tote. The classic and original handbag is made from quite a hard matt leather which keeps the bag structured and ensures it keeps it’s rigid shape. The other version, is a handbag made from a soft leather. Keeping the iconic elements, including gold-plated brass plaques, buckle detailing and easy, everyday shape, from afar there is not much difference between the two handbags. But, finished in butter-soft leather, the newer addition opts for a more slouchy style.

How big are they? 

The Buckle Tote has a detachable adjustable buckle-fastening shoulder strap with lobster clasps which attaches in two ways, and two leather internal slip pockets. This Sophie Hulme bag measures 31cm x 37cm x 10.5cm and comes with a signature, collectable gold-plated ice-cream spoon charm which is unique to this season. It’s safe to say this bag can easily fit your laptop and other office essentials, and makes for the ultimate daytime handbag.

What colours are available? 

This bag comes in many different colours and new colours are always being released each season. This season the duck egg, petrol blue and burgundy are the newest varieties but other colours include black, brown, orange, turquoise and khaki (the turquoise and orange are now on sale!) Available on BagServant through different retailers such as Selfridges, Matches, FarFetch and MyWardrobe, shop around for your favourite colour as they don’t all stock the same shades!

Style tips: 

Cropped trousers with a smart/casual shirt and small heels are the perfect accompaniment for this bag when heading to the office. Or, team with jeans and an over-sized jumper for weekend style.

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So, we have picked a range of fashionable, quirky and classic work bags to ensure you find the right one for you on BagServant. From document clutches to laptop bags, we have all your needs covered.(And if you really want to be different, check out Peter Bristol’s clip bag for a truly unique work bag!)

Shop work bags now

How big are they?

These little beauties are bigger than they look.  The Sophie Hulme document clutch bag has two internal sections and measures 33cm x 26cm x 3.5cm,  which means it would fit a 15” laptop. The clutches are just ideal for everything you need for a day at the office and will stop you lugging around all that extra junk!

What colours are available?

Available in blue, cream, black and navy, the Sophie Hulme document holders are smart and sophisticated. For a demure and classic style, opt for the Metal Tab Document clutch in cream. Personally, we love the turquoise blue but whatever your preference you’ll be sure to find one you love.

What are they made of?

Made from soft leather and lined with quality suede, these bags are nothing but luxurious.

Style tip:

Give your arms and shoulders a break and leave that heavy handbag at home and opt for this cute and practical document clutch holder. With room for everything you’ll need at the office, these bags not only look great with work-wear but also on an evening out. Travel light, stay organised and look fab with Sophie Hulme!

Shop Sophie Hulme Document clutch in Turquoise

Shop Sophie Hulme Document clutch in other colours

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Is it practical?

Regardless if your preference lies with a Sophie Hulme tote or a Sophie Hulme satchel, all of these handbags are practical.  The totes are so spacious that you can match the bright orange Sophie Hulme Envelope oversized textured-leather clutch  with the bright orange Sophie Hulme leather tote, slotting the clutch inside your tote so you have your evening handbag at the ready, and still have space for your essentials!  The Sophie Hulme envelope and satchel bags are all designed with secure yet stylish front flaps and not forgetting the adjustable shoulder straps which thankfully helps to keep us on trend, whilst making our lives that little bit easier.

Who wears it?

Keeping it real and supporting British design, our own British actress Alice Eve has been seen looking fabulous at LAX in a Sophie Hulme trench coat.

Did you know?

Sophie Hulme  is a home grown talent who in 2011, won the annual BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad initiative which boosted her popularity and saw Selfridges sell out of her handbags 5 times during that same year!

Why do we love it?

It’s obvious to see why Sophie Hulme as a brand has become so popular, so quickly.  She has given us a streamlined and modern collection of understated yet stylish designer handbags.  The colour palate has been spot on this season, showcasing traditional blues, blacks and browns along with beautiful on trend corals, nudes and taupe leather exteriors.  We love the metal plate hardware detail on almost every piece which is fast becoming her signature trademark, and the cool, classic, minimalist shapes cannot be rivalled at the moment.  This designer brand simply has a ‘je ne sais quoi’ and we predict that it’s staying around for a while.

BagServants style tips

The Sophie Hulme tote bags will be top of the list for the Big Bag lover who will just swoon over these hard wearing, androgynous, super sexy clean lines.   Wear your tote with anything from your jeans and wedge trainers to a slinky black knee-length dress.  It’s such a cleverly stylish piece….understated, whilst bold!  The gorgeous mini envelope bags are great for busy day wear and the Sophie Hulme clutch is your all time evening staple.

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Post written by Claire Cobley

Sophie Hulme is most well known for her exciting AW12 handbag collection, and she has clearly gone from strength to strength judging by this SS13 colourful coral envelope clutch.  It is like a slim line, oversized clutch version of the hugely popular Sophie Hulme mini envelope bag, except this designer leather clutch is available in the colour pop hue of the moment.  This handbag could be a close relative to the must have contemporary satchel, and can be worn as such by simply attaching its adjustable shoulder strap which ranges from 38 cm to 76 cm in its drop.

The fashionable clashing red nubuck lining this leather clutch gives this handbag a pure luxe edge.

It is stitched in a cool, complementary orange stitching which not only screams quality but looks great against the gold hardware closure. This envelope clutch has a fold over flap and a secure zip allowing you two spacious pockets that are encased within its oversized 34cm x 25cm x 6cm dimensions.

At £420, this is certainly a clutch (and a brand) that you won’t want to miss out on.  This is an ideal choice of clutch bag for the Big Bag Lover who will enjoy the finesse of the clutch style but with the practicality of the tote or satchel bag.  The Trendsetter and Little Miss Label personalities will also be blown away by this inspiring, fresh British designer.

Shop Sophie Hulme Envelope clutch, £420

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We are loving their range of neon bags from all our favourite designers….

Phillip Lim has exclusively launched new colour handbags on My-Wardrobe.. WOW!

One of BagServant’s favourites… AILA is creating funky and stylish bags this season

Preparing for next spring, we love this yellow tote from the always reliable Michael Kors 

Rebecca Minkoff bags will be showcasing on My-Wardrobe next year, and we already adore them!

And finally, traditional Smythson is still working their magic and producing some incredible pieces…

Shop My-Wardrobe handbags

Who? What? Where? When?

A girl from our neck of the woods, Sophie graduated in 2007 from Kingston University with Student of the Year and Best Collection awards under her belt. Just two months later she set up her own fabulous label. Sophie describes the typical Hulme woman as anyone who loves individual and unique pieces and that likes to wear them in their own way.  Her latest collection, the AW12 collection, was inspired be toy dinosaurs and granddad jumpers – what a cute combination! Sophie also gets inspiration from 40s style icons and all her pieces are truly unique and effortlessly chic.  Her philosophy is to create timeless pieces that move with the trends so that they never go out of fashion – we love her handbags and believe they really will last the test of time!

BagServant’s Sophie Hulme picks…

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