ready to wear : FANTASY SHOPPING . . .

Big shoulder bags are in, which is a welcome relief for all those who have been trying to stuff everything into tiny bags (although don't throw them away because tiny bags are still in too). This one by the Italian shoe designer Armando Pollini is made of extremely soft leather, the like of which tells you at a touch that this bag costs big bucks. It is roomy and thus very useful and it also has a separate compartment at the bottom which you can slip your newspaper into, and retrieve, without having to disturb the inner contents of your bag (as modelled beautifully, a la Hello!, by an old - but not forgotten - copy of Real Life). AB

Armando Pollini bag, in black only, pounds 289, from 35 Brook Street, London W1, tel: 0171 629 7606.