The Most Important Handbag Trends of Summer 2021, Period
Summer is right around the corner, and we've been busy getting you hyped up to start really dressing again. But no matter how many new dresses, shoes, or other accessories we present you with, slinging a fresh bag over your shoulder is still one of the quickest ways to level up your look.
So what are the biggest bag trends that we can expect all the fashion girls to be slinging around their arms this summer? Luckily, there is a little something to suit every sartorial taste. From the revival of vintage Y2K carryalls and teeny-tiny tote bags to soft teardrop-shaped bags and bold, bright hues, we're crushing hard on these six styles below. Read on as we share the summer handbag trends set to dominate this warm-weather season.
Sorry for the pun, but saturated colors have really been coming in hot. As summer nears, colors are getting more and more intense. With everything from electric yellow to lime to tangerine, a bright bag just happens to be one of the easiest ways to get in on the warm-weather vibe.
If we sound like a broken record at this point about the return of Y2K style, it's because the redux is just coming back with such a vengeance. Prepare for all the nostalgia if you grew up in the late '90s and early '00s because fashion girls are carrying monogrammed Coach bags and all manner of logo-filled carryalls.
2D bags popped up on the runways and immediately had our whole team chatting about them. With slim, barely-there profiles, as the name suggests, these filing folder–inspired bags just feel so fresh and new but classic at the same time, if you know what I mean.
When we referred to shoulder bags in the past, it was always about slim baguette bags, but there's a new shape bubbling up, and it's all about a slouchier teardrop shape.
Belt bags took a bit of a hiatus there, but I'm pleased to report that they're back in a remarkably fresh way. Think of a chain belt with a miniature compartment attached à la Chanel and Jacquemus.
If you looked at the bag collections of fashion girls everywhere, you'd see one common theme: these small-scale structured stunners, which usually come in a top-handle shape and in an array of bright, candy-colored hues.
Speaking of summer, this is the vintage trend everyone will wear in the warmer months.
Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.
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