My shopping habits tend to cycle through different sections of my wardrobe throughout the year. In early spring I was focused almost entirely on jewelry, and in winter I became obsessed with finding the ideal basics for layering. But for summer I am going all in on handbags. They are such a fun and easy way to change the style of your outfit—a silver shoulder bag can make a white tank and shorts feel ultra glam while a straw tote lends a much more beach-ready vibe. To narrow my search for the ultimate accessory, I compiled a list of the top six summer handbag trends. These are the styles popping up everywhere I look and are most likely to garner all the likes, and definitely more than one “OMG, where’d you get your bag?”
The Only 6 Summer Handbag Trends You Need to Know for 2024
Including bold colors and throwback silhouettes
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Published Jun 6, 2024
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1. Raffia and Straw
Two summertime classics, straw and raffia have officially transitioned to must-have status for summer 2024. I’m seeing tons of structured raffia mini bags with leather detailing, ideal for summer weddings or cocktail parties, as well as straw totes in elevated hues (like chocolate brown and forest green) for everyday use. Beige and black will always be the most timeless options, but don’t let that scare you off from embracing bolder colors that make more of a statement.
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2. Red
For months now I’ve been calling out red as a top trend of 2024 (no matter what season we’re talking about), but for summer it appears the focus has narrowed in on accessories. Red shoulder bags, totes, clutches and crossbodies are a fabulously fun way to add an interesting pop to even the most basic outfits and instantly become a focal point when paired with neutrals. You can pick up just about any silhouette you like, but I find the best options are those that keep things simple without a lot of hardware or other detailing.
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3. Bucket Bags
Yes, the bucket bag is officially back en vogue! There are a lot of options to choose from this time around—some sleek leather with cinched ties, some highly embellished with grommets and tassels, some with dramatic tube-like silhouettes—but the ones you’re likely to get the most use out of stay true to the OG Mansur Gavriel bucket from 2013. I also recommend sticking with medium to small sizes rather than oversize carryalls, which can start to feel like a bowling bag when weighed down with too much stuff.
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4. Woven Leather Totes
For an oversize (or even just regular size) carryall, you’re much better off investing in a classic leather tote bag. For summer 2024 I’m seeing lots of woven leather, both with wider strips like the Cala Jade style pictured here and smaller weaves like the cult-favorite Dragon Diffusion bag. As for color, chocolate brown works well for all seasons, giving your new favorite tote more versatility, but there are so many fabulous neutral-adjacent colors like dark blues and greens or pale pinks or yellows that can help you better stand out from the pack.
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5. Silver
Another hot color trend in the world of accessories is silver, and we have Queen Bey to thank for it. Between her Renaissance tour looks and thedrop of her latest album, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s current high-shine aesthetic is influencing everyone to break out their best silver handbags for day. Don’t think too hard about the mismatched vibes of wearing a rhinestone shoulder bag with a plain white tee and jeans—that’s a big part of the fun of this trend.
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6. Shoulder Bags (and Crescent Shapes)
Another trend that’s been holding steady for some time now is the ‘90s-inspired shoulder bag. It’s just the ideal size for holding all your essentials and somehow feels more polished than a crossbody. The most popular version of this trend right now is the curved crescent moon silhouette. But don’t let that stop you from breaking out last year’s baguette styles, if you like—any and all shoulder bag styles are definitely trending, even if some are more popular than others.
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