Spring for me means searching for all the perfect accessories to add to my wardrobe. Rather than packing my closet with a ton of clothing, I'm just buying into trends that I know are worth it and will be mainstays in my wardrobe. What are those current trends I'm buying into? Bags, bags, bags.
I keep noticing specific bag trends with chic outfits in my Brooklyn neighborhood. Whether I'm on my daily walk to my local café, at the Brooklyn Museum on the weekend, or enjoying a night out with my girlfriends, I see a cool bag trend on every passerby's shoulder, and I can't help but covet them. There are five trends I've seen consistently, from leather totes to woven bags, styled to the nines, and I just had to share my observations with the world.
If you're on the hunt for a new cool bag trend to try, keep scrolling to learn about these Brooklyn bag trends, see outfit inspiration, and shop the trends.
Oversize Leather Tote Bags
If there's one thing all the Brooklyn girls have in common, it's an oversize—and I mean oversize—leather bag. The cool girls of my borough are sporting the bag trend with simple outfits as well as dressier ones. At the cafés, museums, galas, and so on, the oversize leather bag has been ubiquitous. I've been eyeing a few for myself to sport as an everyday bag for the spring and into the summer. I'll be styling mine with a pair of long shorts, flats, and a cropped top like I'm on my way to the beach every day. When I want to dress it up, I'll wear it like the look below with a long-sleeve dress with strappy sandals.
Shop Oversize Leather Tote Bags
Woven Bags
One of spring's biggest bag trends has made it to Brooklyn, and it's the chic woven bag. I love this trend's versatility. Whether you want a leather woven bag or a straw one, it's perfect for spring. The texture of a woven bag adds another layer of chic to an outfit that a plain bag just wouldn't. I've seen influencers wearing the trend and now IRL in my neighborhood. Try wearing a simple pair of jeans and a jacket with pointed-toe boots with your woven bag to look sophisticated, similar to the look below.
If you're in the mood for a casual look, just trade out the jacket for a plain tee or tank top and the boot for simple flats, and there you have a chill, laid-back, Brooklyn-cool-girl outfit.
Shop Woven Bags
Barrel Bags
Barrel bags are my favorite trend out of the bunch. I love wearing one with an outfit on a night out. They're convenient, compact, and hold all my little items in style. There's a barrel bag for everyone. It can big, small, brightly hued, or neutral. I've seen various colors and styles worn throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan as well. If you're trying to dress up for a night out, try wearing a top with black pants, flats, and a sleek barrel bag like the look below.
If you're looking to wear more casual outfits throughout spring, try wearing a pair of long shorts or culottes with pointed-toe heels, a plain white tank top or T-shirt, and a barrel bag in a vibrant pop of color.
Shop Barrel Bags
Croc-Embossed Bags
I've seen croc-embossed boots and heels, but I haven't been privy to the croc-embossed bag trend until I saw a bunch of chic women on my daily walks wearing them with their outfits. I love how the texture of the bag adds some dimension and an effortlessly stylish element to a look. Even when the outfits I noticed were simple, a croc-embossed bag in any hue made them look way chicer. If you're into wearing sweatpants in the spring, throw on a bright cardigan or sweater with a pair of flats and a croc-embossed bag like the look below. I'm definitely wearing my croc-embossed bag just like that.
Shop Croc-Embossed Bags
Suede Shoulder Bags
Although it is currently spring, the suede bag trend has surprisingly become popular for the warmer months. I know it's mostly a fall-and-winter trend, but the stylish girls in my neighborhood have spoken and deemed it cool enough to wear into another season. This trend works really well for dressers who aren't into wearing much color. Try wearing yours with an all-neutral outfit, as shown below. To make your neutral outfit more interesting, add texture contrast by wearing a pair of corduroy pants with a suede jacket. If the weather permits, throw on a pair of leather boots and a baseball cap to complete your look.
If you are into wearing colors, try wearing a suede bag with a pair of blue jeans and a bright button-down or cardigan for a spring pop of color. I especially love seeing this bag trend in the slouchy shoulder bag style; it's just perfect for spring and walking around the neighborhood.
Shop Suede Shoulder Bags
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