Bag trends can often be fickle. They come and go quicker than you can practically (or financially) keep up with, but there are some that feel like they have a little more staying power; bag trends that we can sense aren't going anywhere, any time soon. And handbag trends in 2026 are shifting toward pieces that feel personal, practical and genuinely lived-in.
After the RUSSH editors reviewed runway collections from SS25, resale data, and the shifts emerging from major fashion Houses, we’ve identified seven bag trends set to define the year ahead. Instead of chasing novelty, designers are revisiting familiar shapes and materials, then adjusting them for how people actually move through the world. We’re seeing worn-leather favourites return with new relevance, compact structures borrowed from utility gear, and playful silhouettes revived from early-2000s wardrobes. There’s also a growing appetite for bags that show signs of use, or invite you to customise them with charms and tools.
Ahead, the key styles to watch – and the ones worth investing in now.
1. The beat-up bag
About the trend:
The Chloé Paddington and the Balenciaga Le City are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our projected proliferation of the 'beat-up bag' in 2026. Business of Fashion just published a whole think piece about how they've become a luxury status symbol (with big thanks to the likes of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in the 2000s for catalysing). Of course, we've also just seen Jane Birkin's own famously beat-up Hermès Birkin bag sell for an astronomical price at auction earlier this year in Paris too.
What to look for:
- vintage and second-hand bags with that worn-in look (for designer, try Vestiare, The RealReal or Farfetch's Pre-Owned section)
- soft and supple leather (like a lambskin, deerskin or nappa leather)
- don't be afraid of a little wear and tear (there's something chic about a bit of patina).
What we're shopping:
2. Bowling bags
About the trend:
The nostalgia of the bowling bag has had a grip hold on runways already for the last two years – from Miu Miu and Prada to The Row and Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Lacoste – you name it. Mattheiu Blazy's CHANEL Métiers d'Art runway in NYC just this week showcased the Maison's own suede versions. And Who What Wear even noted the trend beginning back in 2024. It's voluptuous silhouette, practical short handles and ample storage make it a pragmatic choice for those looking to inject a little fun into their wardrobe. You can hold it by the handles or tuck it under the arm (à la Miu Miu), you can buy them large and oversized (à la Prada and Bottega) or you can find yourself a cutesy iteration (à la Acne Studios). Whatever your prerogative, we're predicting this style will be everywhere in 2026.
What to look for:
- full silhouettes with top handles
- usually with an upside-down U shape
- flat bottoms for ease of perching, curved tops.
What we're shopping:
Baggu Recycled Leather Bowler Bag
3. Chatelaine
About the trend:
The bag charms aren't going anywhere in 2026 – but we see the look evolving from plush toys and beaded charms to something a little more sophisticated. We recently re-capped the idea of 'Having-a-life-core', which is the latest fad of wanting to be perceived as busy; embodying a lifestyle so rich with plans, projects, and pursuits that your outfit feels like an afterthought. We're envisioning chic bottle openers, keys, travel paraphernalia, pens, watches, towels, scarves, water bottles, flowers, pottery tools – you name it. Anything that makes you look like you're on the go.
What to look for:
- bags with ample room for appending things onto it (extra handles, pockets, chains or sturdy straps)
- totes with a sturdy structure
- travel-sized items to affix
What we're shopping:
Tanchen Studio Pet-Nat Pet/ KIKU
Kate Spade Charmed Suede Nano Carryall Bag Charm
4. Camera bags
About the trend:
Another offshoot of our fascination with the utilitarian – the camera bag has been reimagined as a fashion accessory. Sure you could just pull out your vintage leather Polaroid case and give it a whirl, but there are also plenty of brands making purpose-made camera bag-adjacent styles more suited for everyday needs. Chloé's Camera Bag shot off in 2024, Acne Studios introduced their Camero line for the Spring Summer 2025 season (literally inspired by one Creative Director Jonny Johansson used to carry a Polaroid camera), and we're seeing more and more pop up as we speak.
What to look for:
- cubic silhouettes
- pockets and more pockets (especially on the ends of the bag)
- internal dividers
What we're shopping:
Aest Studio Capture Medium Sling Bag
Status Anxiety Nostalgia Camera Bag
5. Barrel bags
About the trend:
Cylindrical 'barrel' bags are popping up everywhere – an offshoot of the classic East-West bags and their alt cousins, the pillbox bag. They're characterised by their circular ends, and made popular by modern classics like The Row's 90s bag. This style is surprisingly roomy and sleek – a minimalist bag lover's dream. Plenty of fashion publications have weighed in over the last 12 months – from Harpers Bazaar to Who What Wear – and the style has become increasingly popular on runways like Chloé and in retailers like St Agni.
What to look for:
- cylindrical shapes
- minimalist hardware
- top handles.
What we're shopping:
Reformation Simona Cylinder Bag
6. Belted bags
About the trend:
Dua Lipa, Chloë Sevigny, and Hailey Bieber have all been caught donning the style, spearheaded by the likes of Prada Buckle and Miu Miu's Aventure. Belted bags are already trending now, in 2025, but we're predicting the style will carry through till 2026 with force. Brands are showing no signs of slowing down on iterations of belted and buckled handbags, so we think we'll be getting plenty more innovations and riffs on the style. If you're looking for something a little more minimalist, we'd send you toward brands like Toteme for something sleek, but if you're looking for chunky buckle vibes, Korean brand Osoi and Australian brand St Agni have iterations we love.
What to look for:
- bags with belt-like buckles
- belt-loops at the top of a bag you can loop a belt through
- slimmer, more minimal belted bags.
What we're shopping:
7. Fringed bags
About the trend:
Synonymous with the flapper era of the 1920s and later repopularised in the 60s and 70s – the boho aesthetic has seen a resurgence once again in the 2020s. Between Isabel Marant and Chemena Kamali's Chloé, it felt like we tumbled out of Coquette and into the era of the Coachella free spirit. But brown suede iterations aren't the only ones popping off – there are plenty of luxurious alternatives from brands like Bottega Veneta, Acne Studios and even Zimmermann. We're seeing beaded fringe, buttery leather fringe, and even braided fringe.
What to look for:
- suede fringe (for more bohemian styles)
- vintage and second-hand bags from 2000s (for designer, try Vestiare, The RealReal or Farfetch's Pre-Owned section)
- beaded fringe bags from brands like Staud and Anthropologie.
What we're shopping:
Looking for more handbag trends? Check out our list of the most popular designer handbags of 2025, or the vintage bags that reigned supreme.
Featured products are selected editorially. Our opinions are our own. Occasionally, we may receive a standard affiliate partner fee if you make a purchase using the links we feature.
