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The 5 Biggest Bag Trends for 2026: A New Mood in Handbags
SACLÀB INSIDERS
Bag trends for 2026 reflect a move away from Quiet Luxury towards expressive, tactile — and simply fun — luxury. As new creative directors continue to reshape fashion’s biggest houses, the year ahead signals a clear change in attitude, favouring emotion, movement and individuality over perfection. Read on for five bag trends you’ll want to try in 2026.
Published on 14 Nov 2023 / Updated on 26 Jan 2026
Table of Contents
Slim Belts & Buckles
For 2026, slim belts emerge as a defining design detail. This shift echoes Hermès’ approach to leather craftsmanship, notably with the Kelly Multi-Pochette To Go. Originally introduced on the Men’s Summer 2024 runway and styled as a clutch with its long strap wrapped elegantly around the bag, the structured silhouette features three external front pockets, each finished with a Kelly buckle, where the strap acts as a refined embellishment rather than a purely practical element.
The return of the Hermès Kelly Danse further reinforces this direction, celebrating understated versatility through slim leather detailing that allows the bag to be worn, looped or layered in multiple ways. Across the SS26 runways at Antonio Marras and Boss, fine leather straps are integrated directly into handbag silhouettes — anchored through the hand and used to subtly cinch soft shapes — blurring the line between function and adornment.
Fur & Feathers
A new wave of playful maximalism: Fur and feather accents take centre stage across SS26 collections, appearing not as winter statements but as expressive summer embellishments rendered in unexpected, joyful colours. Chanel and Bottega Veneta introduce faux-fur finishes in vibrant hues, transforming bags into soft, sensory objects designed to be noticed rather than understated.
At Chanel, a feather-adorned clutch exudes theatrical flair, echoing the house’s long-standing use of delicate featherwork to introduce volume and movement. The light, airy embellishment lends couture-level drama to an otherwise classic silhouette, reinforcing texture as a key expressive tool for the season. Whether plush or feathered, these bags prioritise fantasy and emotional appeal, signalling a confident departure from minimalism towards accessories that celebrate excess, craftsmanship and individuality.
Fringes
Once rooted in resortwear and Western-inspired boho dressing, fringes now enter fashion’s global capitals. Across the SS26 runways at Michael Kors, Balmain, Bottega Veneta and Loewe, bags are animated by long, fluid fringes that sway with every step, transforming accessories into dynamic, almost kinetic objects. From dense leather tassels to softer, raffia-like strands, the emphasis is on movement and texture.
These expressive silhouettes embrace a sense of freedom and individuality, aligning with fashion’s broader move towards maximalism and emotional dressing. Whether subtly integrated or exaggerated to dramatic effect, fringed bags signal a desire for tactility, craftsmanship and visual impact. A trend designed to be worn in motion, inviting you to stride through the city.
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Pearls & Beads
Drawing on archival couture codes, pearls and beads signal a new appetite for retro glamour and decorative craft. Across the SS26 runways at Fendi, Chanel, Valentino, Giorgio Armani and Etro, bags are adorned with intricate beading and floral applications that transform classic evening silhouettes into tactile statement pieces. From jewel-like micro bags to softly structured shoulder styles, the trend draws on the glamour of 1920s and 1930s evening bags, reinterpreting archival beading and pearl embellishment through a contemporary lens.
The result is a romantic yet confident aesthetic, where pearls and beads elevate accessories beyond function, embracing ornamentation as a form of self-expression and reaffirming evening glamour as a key direction for the season ahead.
Undone & Unbothered
For 2026, polish gives way to ease as handbags embrace a deliberately relaxed, lived-in attitude. Seen across the SS26 runways at Loewe, Tod’s, Prada and Fendi, soft leather totes and shoulder bags appear loosely structured, worn open and often left unclasped, as if in use rather than styled.
This sense of effortlessness mirrors the growing appeal of vintage pieces that have visibly lived a life — bags valued not for their pristine condition but for the stories they carry. It recalls Jane Birkin’s own approach to her Birkin bag, famously described as an everyday companion rather than a precious object. The idea resonates at Chanel, where Matthieu Blazy reimagines the Timeless Classic through an undone lens, allowing the house icon to appear subtly deconstructed while remaining true to its codes. Together, these designs signal a quiet counter-movement to the immaculate aesthetic, favouring authenticity, comfort and a modern expression of luxury that feels intuitive, personal and unapologetically real.
Which bag trend for 2026 is on your wishlist? Discover our curated selection of pre-owned designer bags and find your favourite.
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