With summer in full swing, for many it’s a social whirl of weddings, graduations, barbecues, dinners and nights out on the town till the wee small hours.

No matter where we are, however, we all need somewhere chic and reliable to put those fundamentals – phone, purse, lipstick - while we’re having a good time.

Having a few different handbags helps – from a tote for those informal, post-shopping affairs to a small glamorous clutch that completes your posh wedding outfit.

But there’s another type of bag that suits just about every occasion, with its twin advantages of practicality and style: the cross body bag.

Every wardrobe should have at least one cross body bag, whether it’s small and elegant or big and retro. The right one will go with just about anything, from jeans and a blazer to a work suit or even a glam dress. And the high street has a plethora of different styles to choose from, with something to suit every wallet.

Take a look at some of these.