The 7 key trends shaping bags in 2026

It is set to be a playful and exciting spring! Perhaps that sounds overly enthusiastic, but given the trends that will shape bags in 2026, it is hard to think otherwise. Beads, fur, feathers, sequins and lively fringes are just some of the motifs fashion houses have woven into their collections. There are also iconic models given a new, fresher look, practical bags we will wear around the waist, as well as the continuation of the “imperfect” bag trend, pieces that combine aesthetics and functionality in a way that is both stylish and fun.

#1 Old favorites in a new guise

Nostalgia has for some time been one of the main guiding threads shaping contemporary fashion trends. Inspired by hits from the past, fashion houses decided for spring 2026 to bring back bags that earned cult status in other eras. Naturally, in a new, more modern guise. In collections for the warm season, we witnessed the return of accessories from the archives: Pierpaolo Piccioli chose to revive the iconic Le City bag for Balenciaga, Matthieu Blazy drew inspiration from Chanel’s 2.55 model, Michael Rider presented a new version of the Phantom in the Celine collection, and Jonathan Anderson unveiled his vision of the Lady Dior. The return of these updated classics also drew attention back to their archival originals, which in turn increased demand for the original vintage models.

#2 A chain instead of a strap

Bags with a chain instead of a strap, the so-called chain bags, are a classic that constantly reappears on the fashion radar, whether on the streets or on the runways. At the spring/summer 2026 fashion weeks, this model stood out more than it has in recent seasons. An elegant chain, mostly in gold tones as a symbol of luxury, adorned numerous accessories: Valentino paired it with its recognizable logo, Chloé with soft bags and floral dresses, and Ferragamo with statement jewelry.

#3 Casually unfastened

After recent seasons in which runways served us overstuffed bags with items almost spilling out, alluding to an understanding of women’s realities, for the coming spring fashion houses presented models worn casually unfastened. Although the trend sounds quite risky if you do not live in wealthy and safe cities, it is essentially a continuation of the “imperfect” bag trend. Contrary to the widespread belief that luxury bags should be treated like relics, today’s trends suggest treating them humanely, as if they serve us rather than the other way around. That is why they are sometimes crumpled, sometimes overfilled, and sometimes left unfastened. Many brands embraced this trend: Fendi paired its unfastened bags in bright shades with the still popular charms, Louis Vuitton showcased the practical interiors of its models, and Loewe demonstrated just how spacious its spring bags are.

#4 Playful fringes

For the coming spring, runways have decided to say yes to fringes of all lengths, placing them on literally every garment and accessory. Bags were no exception to this playful fashion game, gaining lively embellishments that will sway beautifully as you walk, making them accessories impossible to overlook. Stella McCartney, McQueen and Bottega Veneta are just some of the major fashion names that included leather, woven bags with long fringes in their spring collections, a perfect way to make even the simplest outfit more interesting.

#5 Long live practicality!

For spring, Miuccia Prada put practicality at the forefront of her collections for Prada and Miu Miu. The runways featured looks reminiscent of uniforms and aprons, as well as bags whose main defining feature is functionality. That, of course, does not mean they lack aesthetics or luxury, it simply means Prada assigned them a role we genuinely need: to be worn in different ways and equipped with pockets that can hold all the items we carry with us every day. Practicality was also a guiding thread for other fashion houses, though each shaped its vision differently. Hermès and Dario Vitale, for example, chose to free our hands in their debut and only collection for Versace by placing bags around the waist.

#6 Soft textures

Statement bags in 2026 will be big, soft, pastel and especially funky. Made from fur or feathers, they are accessories that will elevate any outfit and make it special, interesting and playful. In its spring collection, Ferragamo presented an enchanting feathered model in greenish hues, Fendi dressed its “double” bag in bubblegum-colored fur, and Bottega Veneta opted for a slightly darker pink shade. What is also great is that these bags are a fantastic way to enjoy colors and textures and to experiment with combining shades in our outfits that we might not otherwise wear.

#7 Pearls and sequins

Fur, feathers, colors, beads, sequins. Judging by the runways, a fun and playful spring awaits us. Bags made of embroidered beads will be one of the biggest trends of the season. Fendi presented its iconic Baguette model “armored” with beads forming floral motifs, Erdem wove transparent sequins into its mesh “pouch,” and Stella McCartney introduced a model in a vivid red shade made of large red beads. Although these are luxury bags, what is undeniable is that in a curious way they evoke childhood and the bags we carried to the park as girls.