Our editorial team is fast-forwarding to spring already. We are completely and utterly done with puffer coats and chunky boots for now—thank you very much. So it is rather fortuitous that the latest Who What Wear Collection drop of bags and shoes has arrived at Zalando (and soon to Kurt Geiger) to help us skip straight into the new season. While we may not be able to legitimately frolic around in a floaty dress or consider wearing minis quite yet, it is possible to switch up accessories in order to feel like our outfits have been suitably revamped with spring in mind.
You may or may not know, but these drops are based on editor-driven trend picks, and rather than providing every single shoe or bag style known on earth, it's about a concise curation. You'll only find the essentials here, but they're incredibly chic pieces with plenty of design bang for your buck. So what's this new line all about at the moment? Taking it back to the '90s and '00s. I'm talking kitten-heel mules in pastel shades, neat shoulder bags both big and small (a girl's gotta have options) and kitsch, animal-printed pony skin. Tapping into the ongoing mood for nostalgia, it's no wonder my colleagues had ideas on how to wear these pieces ASAP.
Keep scrolling to see our top picks from the spring drop. And remember: These collections are limited, so pieces don't exactly stick around for long…
1. THE JUMBO TOTE
"I'm always on the lookout for a carryall tote. Particularly during lockdown, I've noticed myself carrying larger bags when I go out for a walk or coffee, just in case I decide to pop into the grocery store to pick up a few things," says social media and fashion editor Zoe Anastasiou. "The Kory tote is so practical but still looks chic. I know I'll use it throughout summer when we're finally allowed to have picnics."
The basket shape and luxe-looking croc-stamped vintage add to that Y2K vibe—the kind of jumbo tote we could surely imagine the Olsen sisters wearing back in the day.
THE KITTEN MULES
"After spending the last 12 months wearing exclusively Birkenstocks and shearling slippers, I'm relishing the chance to finally slip on something a little fancier," says shopping editor Joy Montgomery. "If I'm honest, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to face the towering heights of stilettos again, but these Who What Wear Joy kitten heels (not named after me!) fit the bill nicely with their micro heel and elegant pleated-suede fabric. They'll pair beautifully with everything from jeans and smarter trousers to dresses and midi skirts."
These little slip-on mules make for the perfect WFH shoes, too—relaxed enough to wear at your home desk but cute enough to take out into the real world when the time comes!
THE ANIMAL-PRINT MINI BAG
"Hands-free bags are always welcome in my world. This is mostly because I've never really got the hang of the oversize-tote look (aka the Olsen way), and I always drop clutches. However, crossbody bags also have a strange habit of looking a little frumpy. The good news is that there's no danger of this happening with this zebra-print bag from the Who What Wear Collection. I'll be slinging it over my shoulder for my daily walks, and it's big enough to pop in some hand sanitizer, a mask and my purse."
The shoulder strap on this style, Jeanie, is adjustable, so you can wear it crossbody or with a shorter strap as more of a shoulder bag. This exact style is dropping any day now, but there are some croc-stamped versions already available.
THE THONG HEELS
"I've never been a flat-shoe or boot-wearing girl anyway, so I'm desperate to kick off my sneaks and get into some spring footwear. These sassy mini heels offer the perfect solution when it feels silly to be wearing super-high stilettos," says Editor in Chief Hannah Almassi of the Sydney sandals. "Plus, the punchy lilac hue is surprisingly versatile, lending itself very well to my spring wardrobe of lighter, brighter colours and soft, sumptuous fabrics. "
These are the kind of no-brainer sandals that will go straight into a holiday suitcase… when the travel ban is lifted! They're super lightweight and won't take up much space, but they will work with so many outfits.
THE PERFECT SHOULDER BAG
Editor Emma Spedding has an eye for modern classics (her weekly shopping picks will certainly lure you in!), and this chic, little shoulder bag is the kind of style that seamlessly blends into a wardrobe.
"When it comes to handbags, I like to keep it quite simple, so I love the angular silhouette of this black shoulder bag. The thin strap really adds to the '90s feel of it," says Emma. "It might look small, but it fits all my essentials such as keys, phone and face mask. Now that I'm not commuting, I couldn't ask for more from a bag!"
