8 Summer Handbag Trends That Have Street Style’s Stamp of Approval

Gerard Ortiz

You can look for spring fashion inspiration in all sorts of places—at runway shows or Vogue’s trend reports and shopping guides, but one should not ignore what’s being seen (and actually worn!) on the streets. Street style is a great way to find inspiration for trends, from footwear to outfits, and in this case, summer handbags. We’ve combed through Phil Oh’s snapshots from New York to Paris and have come back with eight perfectly appropriate handbag trends for the season ahead, be it pretty pouches perfect for wedding guest dressing or shoulder bags that add color to white day dresses. There are also classic springtime textures like tweed and wicker, as well as canvas totes for the thick of summer.

Here, find an assortment of spring-summer handbag trends with a street style stamp of approval. Shop our guide below. 

The Street Style-Approved Handbag Cheatsheet:

Photographed by Phil Oh

Petite Picnic Baskets

What better time to break out a wicker bag? Instead of a basket bag or picnic basket, these mini to small-sized top handles make a lovely option for summer nights or a stand-in for a wedding guest clutch.

Mango natural fiber clutch bag

Serpui Abigail wicker top-handle bag

Jacquemus Le Bambino wicker shoulder bag

Photographed by Phil Oh

Vacation-Ready Buckets

Textures like straw, suede, and woven fabrics in natural colors add an element of wanderlust to your summertime wardrobe. These bucket bags make a great companion for this summer’s travel plans

Hunting Season Sac mini striped cross-body bag

Hereu Galleda small woven straw bucket bag

Cesta Collective lunchpail

Photographed by Phil Oh

High-Saturation Suedes 

A softer and more colorful alternative to black or brown leather this spring is rich-colored suede. Carry a lemony pouch from Khaite or a bubble gum pink crossbody from Saint Laurent. 

Khaite Lotus mini drawstring suede bucket bag

The Row mini Leo nubuck bucket bag

Bottega Veneta Jodie knotted intrecciato suede tote

Saint Laurent Lou leather-trimmed quilted suede shoulder bag

Photographed by Phil Oh

Cloud 9 Bags 

Tote around a soft, pillow-like pouch this season in stark white, from Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta, and beyond.

Bottega Veneta Jodie top-handle bag

Miu Miu Wander matelassé nappa leather mini-bag

Khaite Olivia medium leather tote

Boyy Wonton 20 pebbled leather top-handle bag

Photographed by Phil Oh

Ladylike Tweed

A colorful tweed bag is the perfect nod to springtime sweetness, case in point: Chanel, Gucci, and Prada.

Prada Re-Edition raffia mini-bag

Gucci GG Marmont small shoulder bag

Givenchy mini cut-out shoulder bag

Chanel mini flap bag with top handle

Photographed by Phil Oh

Boater Totes

A practical and (usually more affordable) option to carry all of your essentials this season, take a canvas tote from the city to your weekend escape and back again.

Balenciaga Neo leather-trim canvas tote bag

L/Uniform No.72 canvas and linen tote bag

Photographed by Phil Oh

Precious Pouches

Wedding season has begun! Here are a few fete-ready pouches to take with you from Wandler to Zara.

Prada satin handbag with crystals

Wandler Leo crystal-embellished leather tote

Saint Laurent YSL monogram crystal bucket bag

Photographed by Phil Oh

Beaming Baguettes 

Summer is the best time to experiment with adding a little color to your wardrobe, and these pastel baguette bags are one easy way to do just that. 

Loewe Puzzle small leather shoulder bag

Bottega Veneta baguette shoulder bag

Wandler Penelope micro leather shoulder bag

Jacquemus Le Bambino leather shoulder bag

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