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Every summer fashionistas from Milan to Montauk gravitate to one "it" handbag, but this season three silhouettes—all from British design houses—are dominating the red-hot luxury leather-goods market. And they're not the usual logo-laden suspects.

Both Mulberry and Tanner Krolle, two classic English accessory houses, have undergone serious renovations in the past few years with new investors, creative directors and younger, hipper images. The result: celebrities and trendsetters like Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson and Victoria Beckham are snapping up their pretty pastel-colored totes, particularly the "Roxy" and "Queenie." Newer to the market is London-based designer Luella Bartley, whose eyelet- and buckle-festooned "Gisele" bag is a favorite of Kate Moss.

At an average price of $800, all three bags are as practical as they are glamorous: roomy enough for the beach and sophisticated enough for the boardroom.

• Kate Betts
• Practical and glamorous: the must-have accessory is a handbag