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 now that we’re almost halfway into 2026 (how?), it feels like handbag trends this year are shifting toward pieces that feel personal, practical and genuinely lived-in.
After the RUSSH editors reviewed runway collections from Autumn Winter 2026 and Cruise shows, resale data, and the shifts emerging from major fashion Houses, we’ve identified ten bag trends set to define the rest of 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 (hello to Aspinal of London with their Crescent Bag, and the resurgance of the Chloé Paddingtons and Balenciaga Rodeos). There’s also a growing appetite for bags that show signs of use, or invite you to customise them with charms and tools – think Miu Miu’s mini-bag appendages or Coach’s new book charms.
Ahead, the key styles to watch – and the ones worth investing in now.
1. The curved bag
1/3 Chanel Autumn Winter 26.
About the trend:
The curved – or crescent – handbag is emerging as a defining shape for 2026, signalling a broader shift away from rigid, structured silhouettes towards something softer. First popularised in the late ’90s and early 2000s, the silhouette is making a comeback via understated leather, slouchy construction and a deliberate lack of hardware-heavy detailing. Seen across both heritage houses and modern independent labels, the shape taps into a nostalgia for Y2K-era ease, while feeling firmly planted in the now.
What to look for:
- soft, crescent or half-moon silhouettes that sit comfortably under the arm or across the body
- supple leathers like nappa, lambskin or buttery calfskin that enhance the natural drape of the shape
- minimal hardware and clean finishes for an understated, wear-with-everything feel
What we’re shopping:
Aspinal of London Soho Small Crescent Bag
Saint Laurent Amalia Hobo Mini Bag
Khaite Olivia mini suede shoulder bag
2. The beat-up bag
1/3 Balenciaga SS26
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 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 last 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:
Ralph Lauren Leather Duffel
Saint Laurant Mombasa medium in vintage leather
Miu Miu Pocket leather shoulder bag
3. Bowling bags
1/3 Left: Calvin Klein AW26. Right: Mithridate AW26.
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 showcased the Maison’s own suede versions. And Who What Wear even noted the trend way 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 short top handles
- usually with an upside-down U shape
- flat bottoms for ease of perching, and curved tops.
What we’re shopping:
Acne Studios Bowlina Bag
Baggu Recycled Leather Bowler Bag
TOTEME Day Tote
4. Chatelaine
1/3 Left: Moschino AW26. Right: Toga AW26.
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:
Cult Gaia The Backgrammon Clutch
Tanchen Studio Pet-Nat Pet/ KIKU
The Horse Clementine Bag
Kate Spade Charmed Nano Tote Bag Charm
5. Camera bags
1/2 Left: Acne Studios S26. Right: Victoria Beckham S26.
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 a bag Creative Director Jonny Johansson used to carry a Polaroid camera), and we’re seeing more more boxy iterations pop up at Victoria Beckham and Advisry.
What to look for:
- boxy or cylindrical shapes
- pockets, pockets and more pockets (especially on the ends of the bag)
- internal dividers
What we’re shopping:
Chloé Camera Bag
Aest Studio Capture Bag
Status Anxiety Loved You First Camera Bag
Acne Studios Camero Camera bag with buckles
6. Barrel bags
1/2 Left: Proenza Schouler F24. Right: Max Mara F23.
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 Proenza, Prada and in Australian retailers like St Agni.
What to look for:
- cylindrical silhouettes
- minimalist hardware
- top handles.
What we’re shopping:
Reformation Simona Cylinder Bag
St Agni Connolo Shoulder Bag
Christian Dior Pre-Owned Bag
7. Belted bags
1/3 Left: Tod’s AW26. Right: Prada AW26.
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 have already been trending in 2025, but we’re predicting the style will carry through till the end of 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 or Tod’s – but if you’re looking for chunky buckle vibes, Korean brand Osoi and cult label Diesel 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:
Osoi Brocle Bag
TOTEME Belted Leather Tote
Staud Brooklyn Shoulder Bag
8. Literature-themed bags
1/3 Bottega Veneta AW26
About the trend:
Of course, the newspaper print was made famous by John Galliano during his tenure at Dior, but it seems that reading is back in fashion (read: the Poet Aesthetic fashion prediction from Pinterest is coming true). It feels strange to say that something as timeless as being literate is ‘trending’, but somehow that’s the case. It seems like ever since Jonathan Anderson’s debut menswear collection at Dior – where he reinvented the signature Dior Book Tote in a myriad of literary titles – that every other brand has followed suit. We’ve seen Coach release their own book charms in conjunction with Penguin, and now Bottega Veneta has flooded their most recent AW26 runway in Milan with newspaper print clutches and trompe l’œil handbags that look like novels.
What to look for:
- charms that invoke the literary: books, pens, quotes from your favourite titles
- bags with newspaper prints
- classic book bags.
What we’re shopping:
LOEWE Book Charm
Dior Book Tote
Coach Carmen Mini Crossbody Bag
9. Fringed bags
1/2 Left: TWP AW26. Right: Dior Couture 26.
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 on runways from Stella McCartney to Dior Couture.
What to look for:
What we’re shopping:
Bali Tailor Stella Fringe Bag
Isabel Marant Oskan Bag
Zimmermann Fringed Bag
10. Open bags
1/2 Left: Altuzarra AW26. Right: CHANEL Couture 2026.
About the trend:
This one probably isn’t the most practical – especially if you’re hoping to ensure your things remain inside your bag, but we’re certainly seeing it pop up everywhere. (Vogue even put out a tongue-in-cheek article about it being a great season for pickpockets.) Jack and Lazarro’s debut LOEWE show last September saw the reintroduction of the Amazona bag – originally launched in 1975 – carried unzipped and by its single handle down the runway. And promptly, CHANEL, Fendi, Dior and Altuzarra have done the same this year. The sentiment – while it might shun practically – feels unfussy and devil-may-care.
What to look for:
- single-handle bags
- zippered bags or belted bags that can be left undone and slouchy
- softer leather for a slouched appearance (less supple leathers won’t slouch when unfastened) – try finding something a little more worn in that’s secondhand.
What we’re shopping:
LOEWE Small Amazona
A-esque Casey Shoulder Bag in Smooth Brown
Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU
Looking for more handbag trends? Check out our list of the most popular designer handbags of 2025, or the vintage bags that reigned supreme.
Feature image: TWP AW26, Chloe AW26 via GoRunway
