Vanessa Bruno suede tasselled bag
Soft, squishy, sophisticated and as good for flying through airports as for sauntering around St Tropez. This casual-luxe bag is from the ex-model who launched her line at 24 with a range of cotton sundresses and has retained that simple, flirty signature. With a magnetic fastening, bronze buckle and twill lining; height 32cm, width 34cm, strap drop 49cm, £465 (Dh2,814) plus shipping, from Net-A-Porter, which has Arabic-speaking staff (www.net-a-porter.com; 00 44 203 471 4510).
Anya Hindmarch 'Keaton' bag
For stylish city sightseeing - and then, strapless, to use at night. The latest in the designer's long-running line of hands-free bags works a chic retro look. Made of sheep leather, "tumbled" for a soft vintage feel, its equally delicious inside, lined in logo'd twill with two credit card slots and a zipped compartment labelled "change". In navy or mushroom, it also has a detachable strap, which transforms it into an evening clutch. Height 15cm, width 20cm and strap drop 62cm; £395 (Dh2,390) plus £30 (Dh181) shipping. Order online at www.anyahindmarch.com (00 44 207 501 0177).
Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Canteen' bag
Instant on-trend glam via the day-glo PVC trim, but basically an unpretentious bag for jumping into a speedboat for an island picnic. Yes, we're thinking Paxos. Thanks to the woven seagrass body, its lightness is a plus as you scramble around - and it's not a bag to make you weep if you drip ice cream on to it. Height 22cm, width 22cm, strap drop 52cm; £130 (Dh786) from Marc Jacobs at Dubai Mall (04 339 8781), Festival City or Mall of the Emirates. Visit www.marcjacobs.com.