Summer is practically upon us — unless, like me, you’re from Melbourne, so you’re being teased with one warm day every couple of weeks. But if you live in a different state, you’re probably already donning your hat, sunnies and swimmers. We’re on a mission to find the trends we’re going to see all over our feeds this summer, and so far, we’ve covered summer dresses and shoes, and next agenda is my favourite accessory of all: handbags.
There’s something about the right handbag that makes your outfit look 10 times cooler. It’s the practical finishing touch that says “I effortlessly look put together” when odds are, you spent a good five minutes deliberating on which bag would best match your shoes.
To make sure we’re on the right track for cracking the code of trend forecasting, we spoke to celebrity stylist, Jana Bortolo, to unpack this year’s Fashion Month trends, and how that will influence what everyone’s shopping over the summer. According to Jana, there are five key trends to look for — and thankfully, minimalism isn’t one of them.
“This summer, handbags are taking a more expressive turn, moving away from the stripped-back minimalism of seasons past,” she told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“The focus is on statement shapes, indulgent textures, and bold colour stories that bring personality and joy to every outfit.”
Jana highlighted size, texture and unique details are going to be everywhere. Think, expressive-yet-useful maximalism.
“Fashion is feeling fun again.”
Here’s everything you need to know.
The 5 Handbag Trends We’re Going To See In 2026
Oversized Bags
Practical gals, rise up! Oversized bags are officially cool again. However, they’re not just carry-alls this time around — they’re a statement.
“Loewe has led the way with sculptural scrunch-style totes and, yes, those almost comically-large laptop bags,” Jana said, referencing the brand’s Paris Fashion Week show earlier this year.
You know what they say: bigger is better.
Crescent Bags
“The crescent-shaped ‘croissant’ bag has re-emerged as the silhouette of the season, and seems like it’s here to stay,” Jana pointed out.
Uniqlo’s iteration of the crescent bag blew up a few years ago as the perfect everyday and travel bag. Since then, the silhouette has evolved into bolder statements as we move away from minimalism. But that doesn’t mean the clean girl aesthetic has vanished entirely.
“It has since been reimagined by Lemaire, whose minimalist, modern iteration has become a contemporary favourite,” Jana said.
“Softly structured, slouchy, and sculptural.”
Embellished Bags
If you’ve been sitting around, waiting for the day that the minimalism phase comes to an end, you’re in luck. Maximalism is back, and with that comes fun, embellished bags.
“PFW (Paris Fashion Week) set to show off lots of clothing and handbags with feathers, sequins, fringe, and high-shine finishes are appearing across clutches and day bags,” Jana said.
She highlighted designers like Coach, which uses decorative detailing in its accessories, and Acne Studios, who experiments with both distressed leathers and fringe.
Jana said that “these are bags that double as statement pieces, capable of elevating a simple outfit into something editorial.”
Jewel And Nature-Inspired Coloured Bags
Jana told us that colour will be another huge bag trend this summer, with a focus being on jewel tones and nature-inspired shades. Think cherry red, petrol blue, forest green and teal.
“Kate Spade’s rounded silhouettes shine in bold, glossy finishes, adding a cheerful, polished pop to any outfit,” Jana said.
So if you’ve been eyeing off a bright bag but have been a bit too scared to wear it, now’s your time to experiment. It’s always good to start off with a basic outfit and add in a vibrant bag for a pop of colour if you’re getting comfortable styling a bolder handbag.
Textured Bags
We’ve started to see the rise of textured bags in the fashion zeitgeist, and according to Jana, they’re going to become more popular. Think feathers, sequins, velvet and distressed leather — little nods of nostalgia to the 20s, 90s, and early 2000s.
“Acne Studios blends retro-inspired textures with modern silhouettes, creating bags that feel playful yet refined,” she explained.
“It’s a subtle but powerful way of bringing a sense of luxury and fun back into everyday dressing.”
Get ready to be showered in compliments once you officially become the most stylish, trendiest person your friends know.
Image credit: Poppy Lissiman / Variety Hour
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