Top 5 Handbag Trends Taking Over 2026
For the past few seasons, fashion has been holding its breath. Amid a carousel of creative director shake-ups and headline-making exits and arrivals at major houses, collections felt cautious—polished, pared back, and carefully inoffensive, to say the least. Quiet luxury reigned supreme, offering reassurance in neutral palettes and familiar silhouettes. But by Spring/Summer 2026, the message is unmistakable: everyone is tired of playing it safe. The industry is ready to exhale.
And nowhere is this more noticeable than in this season’s handbags. On the Spring/Summer 2026 runways, personality replaced polish, as seen in exaggerated proportions, unexpected color ways, and silhouettes that feel more expressive than ever. Case in point: Chanel’s SS26 show, where models strutted with crushed 2.55 bags. Appearing with open flaps, revealing their leather-lined interiors, Matthieu Blazy’s first designs for the brand sent a clear message: worn, lived-in, and imperfect is totally okay. And this could be spotted all over the Spring/Summer 2026 catwalks, where designers presented us with bags that spark individuality, attitude, and creativity. See for yourself as you scroll through the list of the top 5 handbag trends for 2026.
1. Roomy Totes
Everyone seemed to be obsessed with the Chanel 25 bag in 2025. But if you thought the era of the big bag was short-lived, let me tell you this. For Spring/Summer 2026, the big tote and the hobo aren’t just back—they’re bigger, bolder, and far more practical than ever.
From ultra-maxi iteration of the beloved Luggage tote at Celine, to oversized carry-alls at Bottega Veneta, designers are embracing volume in the most unexpected ways. These aren’t just statement pieces; they’re life-sized luxuries, roomy enough to hold everything you need without sacrificing style.
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2. Embellishments
If quiet luxury stripped bags of decoration, 2026 is putting it all back—and then some. Embroidery, sequins, beads, charms: more is more. And if you’ve seen the new Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU bags, you know exactly what I am talking about. Featuring playful interiors decorated with sequins and embellishments, these bags are like wearable pieces of art.
And don’t even get me started on talking about Alessandro Michele’s latest designs for Valentino, which are nothing short of maximalist poetry (see here for yourself).
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3. Pop of Color Bags
Tired of neutral palettes? Spring/Summer 2026 has a vivid answer. From electric brights at Miu Miu to saturated pastels at Chanel and Stella McCartney’s punchy citrus tones, pop-of-color bags were all over the SS26 runways. And idk about you, but for me, after the many seasons of camel, cream, and charcoal, the return of “color” feels almost rebellious.
Think cherry red against crisp white tailoring. Acid green paired with washed denim. Butter yellow interrupting an all-black look. The beauty of this trend lies in its simplicity: one bold bag can transform an entire outfit. It’s dopamine dressing distilled into a single accessory—and perhaps the most impactful way to participate in fashion’s post–quiet luxury awakening.
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4. Worn-in looking bags
If there’s one undeniable takeaway from the SS26 runways, it’s this: pristine is passé. From crushed 2.55 bags at Chanel to aged-looking City bags at Balenciaga, designers are finally telling us: imperfection is the new luxury. Worn, lived-in, and scuffed—these are the bags that feel authentic, personal, and full of character.
Actually, out of all Spring/Summer 2026 handbag trends, this one is one of the easiest to participate in. I mean, it’s very likely that you already have a perfectly “imperfect” bag tucked away in your wardrobe. Or if not, TheRealReal’s “fair condition” section is there to help, filled with worn-in treasures at prices comfortably below retail.
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5. Barrel bags
Do you happen to own a vintage Louis Vuitton Papillon bag? Well, if yes, time to take it out from the back of your closet, as barrel bags are expected to be a huge trend in 2026! Spotted across multiple SS26 runways, cylindrical-shaped bags arrive in all kinds of styles and silhouettes, from ultra-chic shoulder bags to hand-carry pouches.
Would you like to wear two 2026 handbag trends at once? Check Miu Miu’s Nappa Leather Pouch, a barrel-adjacent silhouette rendered in distressed leather. Capturing both the return of the cylindrical form and fashion’s current obsession with perfectly imperfect finishes, it will look great styled with everything from oversized jackets to kitten heels.
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