Wicker handbags are one of my favourite things. Every summer I find myself buying more, then going to add it to my collection on my shelf and realising, oh, I have much more of these than I thought, I probably shouldn’t have bought another one…

And then I do it all over again. Considering that wicker bags are kind of delicate as far as handbags go, unable to handle an accidental bash against a wall or bump by a stranger without the risk of a snapped weave, that makes my compulsion all the worse. You’d think, then, that I would feel guilty about the subject of this post, but on the contrary, that delicate natural of my favourite arm candy is the exact reason I do not. Because sometimes with reproduction items, you miss out a bit on the magic of what the originals offered in the eras gone by, but sometimes reproduction fixes a problem that modern life only highlights, and these Hell Bunny bags do just that; say hello to wicker style handbags that don’t need babying!

Bags: Navy blue and White Honey Ryder bags by Hell Bunny
Dress: Blue Aberdeen 50s Dress by Hell Bunny
Cardigan: Blue Mist Get it Girl Cardigan by DMU

The obvious reason these wicker style bags are more durable than your average wicker bag is because they aren’t actually wicker. Made from PVC, they’re sturdier, more durable, easier to clean, and much less dangerous to take out on a day that threatens rain. They’re still hand woven, though, and feature a gorgeous pearl effect for the handles and flat top, mimicking a Lucite finish without the additional delicacy of that second temperamental material.

The turn-lock closure, fastenings and inner zips are gold on both colours of the bag, available in navy and white, but the gingham lining inside the white bag is pale blue while the navy features a navy gingham. Both bags come with a detachable fluffy cherry pom pom charm and Hell Bunny charm, but if, like me, you find that a bit too twee for your liking, you can do as I did and give them to a very grateful niece who now flaunts them on her book bag for school 😀

The inside of the bag is divided into two compartments by a zipped middle compartment, with an additional open wall compartment on one side to help keep your small items safe. The bag is 22cm tall and measures 30cm at the widest point. Each bag also comes with its own printed Hell Bunny nautical themed dust bag to help keep it in pristine condition in storage.

You might be able to tell how much I love this bag from the fact that I have both colours. I first bought the white (after more than a year’s wait from the first day I saw it previewed at London Edge) but eventually couldn’t resist buying the navy too. Can you blame me? A well-sized bag that looks vintage, perfectly finishes off my pinup outfits, and has all the production benefits of being a modern reproduction. Who wouldn’t be tempted by that? It also happens to be the best quality example I’ve found of a modern reproduction in this style. Imagine my fury in paying over £75 for a similar Pinup Girl Clothing handbag in the past only to have the lining pop away from the walls of the bag the very first time I used it, because the 4 drawing pins affixing the entire lining to the bag popped out. This Hell Bunny bag is made to a much higher standard, with more than 18 sturdy and well attached silver studs keeping the lining firmly in place.

This bag, in both colours, offers me a slice of vintage polish that doesn’t come with the vintage price tag nor the aged fragility. It’s nice to know I can slide it out of its dust bag, toss in my essentials and go, without having to worry about a random whack taking out a bit of wicker that can’t be easily fixed. Honey Ryder and I, here we come!

The Honey Ryder bag is available in both navy blue and white from Hellbunny.com at 20% off using discount code AMYMAY20!% (code is applicable to all orders.) Hell Bunny have stockists all over the world, so you may also be able to check with your local stockist for availability.