The Top 5 Handbag Trends This Summer Are Unexpectedly Classic

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics)When I envision summer bags, I think of Jane Birkin with her straw basket in the South of France or Penélope Cruz in Jamón Jamón, carrying a red plastic market bag along a dusty Spanish road. Summer bags are typically textured and functional—accessories you don't mind getting wet or sandy. They can hold a bottle of sunscreen, your phone, perhaps even a baguette—but not much else. And that’s sort of the idea. During summer, you usually don’t need much more. The allure of a summer bag lies in its ability to capture the essence of simple vacation life.

      Due to this perception, summer bags are often associated with just one season. However, this year's key summer bag trends appear to have a more timeless appeal. They haven’t lost their signature joyful spirit; rather, they’re inspiring you to integrate that carefree vibe into your wardrobe all year round. Below, discover five summer bag trends you'll want to take to the beach and beyond.

      Raffia Realness

      Hermes Spring/Summer 2025 (Image credit: Launchmetrics) Raffia is a quintessential summer bag element with origins going back to ancient Egypt, and it was famously popularized by Jane Birkin. This year, raffia wasn't just present in colorful resort collections; it also took over the spring/summer 2025 runways, styled unexpectedly with leather pants and high heels. Raffia bags are a great way to introduce texture and also add lightness to outfits that might otherwise seem too polished or formal.

      Loewe

      + Paul's Ibiza Embroidered Raffia Tote

      Polo Ralph Lauren

      Polo Id Raffia Small Shoulder Bag

      Studded Suede Spontaneity

      Valentino Resort 2025 (Image credit: Launchmetrics) Valentino’s studded suede Nellcote shoulder bag and fringed crossbody have been seen on a variety of celebrities, including Bella Hadid, Alexa Chung, and Dev Hynes. If there’s a standout bag for summer, it’s certainly this one—and it’s easy to understand why. The bag is playful: enjoyable to touch, visually appealing, and fun to carry. Donning it means feeling the fringe sway with each step or catching a hint of someone's reflection in its oversized, rounded studs. Studded suede bags are trending right now, embodying the sense of free-spirited spontaneity that defines summer.

      Valentino

      Nellcote Mini Embellished Tote

      Mango

      Suede Bag With Fringes and Stud Details

      Anthropologie

      Melie Bianco Reina Faux-Suede Studded Shoulder Bag

      Snakeskin Sexiness

      Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2025 (Image credit: Launchmetrics) If raffia adds authenticity to an outfit, then snakeskin introduces allure. Recently, the fashion world has focused heavily on the leopard-print debate (yes, it’s a neutral), causing us to overlook the emergence of snakeskin throughout fashion month. At Miu Miu, models clutched snakeskin bags to their chests, with their cone bra straps visible over colorful dresses. There’s no reason snakeskin shouldn't be a summertime essential. It’s just as seductive as the notion of hopping onto the back of a stranger's Vespa—only even better since you're carrying a snakeskin bag while doing so.

      Khaite

      Bobbi Snake-Effect Leather Shoulder Bag

      Mango

      Animal-Print Double-Handle Handbag

      Jacquemus

      Le Bisou Perle Snake-Effect Leather Shoulder Bag

      Belted Freakiness

      Prada Spring/Summer 2025 (Image credit: Launchmetrics) Belts have been getting bolder lately, and honestly, we’re here for it. If you’re still using a belt merely to keep your pants up, consider adding a few more, à la Schiaparelli spring/summer 2025, or opt for a belted bag from Prada or the ever-stylish Osoi. Belted bags provide a buckle accent that may not have much practical use, but they add just the right amount of quirkiness, in the best possible way. Since belts aren’t typically a must-have summer accessory, this might explain why belt bags seem to be everywhere. And if you’re not wearing pants? Just toss a belt over your shoulder.

      Osoi

      Off-White Shoulder Brocle Mini Bag

      Prada

      Buckle Leather Bag With Studded Belt

      Tory Burch

      Petite Lee Radziwill Double Bag

      Smooth Like Yellow Butter

      Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025 (Image credit: Launchmetrics) Summer should be as smooth and delightful as butter yellow. This sunny shade is a seasonal favorite for obvious reasons, but it’s also an effortless way to amplify any outfit, come rain or shine. While bold, vibrant hues typically take center stage during summer, butter yellow presents