Altuzarra, Just Cavalli, Valentino, Just Cavalli, Max Mara, Bally, Gucci, Gucci Resort/pre-summer 2017

Sssnakeskin.. sorry snakeskin… is a key material across categories for the pre-summer collections, helping to ring the changes for belts, boots and, of course, that key category – bags.

Unlike previous seasons, the favourite tone is pale and almost-natural with few ultra-coloured options. But that doesn’t mean these bags are dull because snakeskin goes hand in hand with the season’s love of all things decorative. That means cute bag charms or 70s-inspired appliqué (think Ziggy Stardust stars and lightning bolts) or even decorative edging cut to look like a snake.

Of course snakeskin is a sssseriously… sorry, seriously…. expensive material so it’s no surprise that it’s found mainly on smaller bags or with contrasting panels of plain leather. That feeds perfectly into the continuing mini bag trend with plenty of choices for bags that are just about big enough to fit your (small) purse, your phone and a lipstick.

But there’s another alternative that could also come in cheaper once it filters through to the high street – the snake motif is a key decorative device for pre-season. Only a couple of labels may have offered it up, but given that those two are ultra-influencer Gucci and long-time serpent lover Robert Cavalli’s less expensive Just Cavalli, the impact should be disproportionately large.