Regardless of the date, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that summer is no longer imminent—it's full-blown here. Sure, summer might not officially start until 21 June, but the blue skies and rising temperatures are good enough for me. Of course, there will inevitably be some odd chilly days, but that's what makes this particular article so pertinent. No matter the forecast, there's one piece you can use to make your outfits feel more summery even when you're covered up in jeans and a trench coat. And that piece is a handbag.
No matter how many dresses, shoes, or other stylish finds we serve up, slinging a fresh bag over your shoulder is still one of the quickest ways to level up your look and overhaul your aesthetic for a new season. So which are the summer 2022 handbag trends to be aware of? I'm glad you asked.
Fortunately, there's something for everyone in this year's arm-candy line-up, from the tote bag that minimalists are currently carrying to shoulder bags saturated with sparkle. Without further ado, here are the eight most important handbag trends of summer 2022.
1. WOVEN LEATHER
Dragon Diffusion's leather woven basket bags have been around for a few years now, but it seems their popularity is at an all-time high this summer. Every time I log in to Instagram, I see them on repeat. And now, there are even more iterations starting to crop up.
The OG.
COS has also invested in braided leather bags this summer.
2. BOUCLÉ TEXTURES
Bouclé textures were more prevalent than ever on the S/S 22 runways, so it's little wonder the fabrication has trickled down to bags, too. The texture exudes "rich aunt" vibes, which, I'd argue, is a label to aspire to have.
This trend looks even better on vintage pieces.
Imagine how cute this will look at a wedding.
3. CROCHET TOTES
There are a few It bags already coming through for summer 2022, but none are quite as in demand as Prada's crochet tote. It's been flying off the shelves in record time, so I advise setting up alerts for the specific style and colour you're looking for. If all else fails, however, there are more affordable options to choose from, too.
4. CURVED LINES
While I love the look of boxy, structured bags, if you're looking to make your outfits more current, then you need to invest in a curved style. Coperni presents an impeccable silhouette, but almost any curved shoulder bag will do the trick.
This feels Y2K in a a very polished way.
This will go with just about every outfit.
5. ROPE HANDLES
Between woven leather textures and crochet totes, you don't need to be a bag lover to see that handbags with beachy and holiday influences are big news this summer. Enter bags with nautical-inspired rope handles.
The perfect bag to wear with vest tops and denim cut-offs.
Ideal if you prefer neutral palettes.
6. SATURATED SHOULDERS
This season is all about embracing the brightest of bright colours, but if wearing a saturated shade in a dress or suit sounds too daunting, try adding a colour shock to your ensembles with a bright shoulder bag. There are currently plenty to choose from.
I've had my eye on this bag for months.
This cute handbag also comes in on-trend orange.
7. SIMPLE SLINGS
All of our editors have been raving about COS's sling-style handbag, and it's not hard to see why. Inspired by The Row's iconic Banana handbag, this crossbody is the way to go in 2022.
The dream.
This looks and feels so expensive.
8. SOMETHING SPARKLY
Sometimes, you just need a little glamour in your life (and wardrobe). Lots of people are wanting to feel fancy again, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that sparkly bags are very much a thing right now. Wear these handbag styles with contrasting linen and other lightweight fabrics to make them feel more summery.
Fabulous!
You can always count on Mango to deliver statement arm candy.
Next Up: Autumn/Winter 2022 Trends: The 15 Fashion Looks You Need to Know About
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