From new labels such as Freja and carry-alls by Balenciaga and Coach, SS26 is awash with covetable totes; here’s everything you need to know about the season’s hot ticket bags …
At the SS26 press day for Arnotts, head of buying Tracey Despard highlighted the bags of the season. Amongst the launch of Mulberry, Despard called out The New York bag (landing soon) by Coach as a seasonal favourite. “It’s a follow on from the Brooklyn bag which was a TikTok sensation. The New York bag is a simple shoulder bag with a flap detail. It’s very chic and it’s gorgeous,” she said. Meanwhile, the sleek lines on the Empire carry-alls, below, punch above their weight when it comes to pricing, echoing the stealth wealth aesthetic that lingers for SS26.
Tan Empire 40 carry-all bag, Coach, €750, at Arnotts.
Tan Empire 34 carry-all bag, Coach, €340, at Arnotts.
On the high street, there’s buzz around the Monument bag by COS, a sleek oversized shoulder bag that comes in brown suede and debossed croc-effect Italian leather. The shape? It’s an exaggerated east-west silhouette, which essentially means it’s long and skinny.
Dark brown croc-effect Monument leather bag, €249, at COS.
Image: Instagram @nicholasgrimshaw.
Perhaps the most ‘one per cent’ of all luxury styles is Balenciaga’s Rodeo bag, not because of its size (it’s so roomy, it could almost double as a laptop bag), rather the slouchy shape and open compartment give off a distinctly louche vibe that reminds of Jane Birkin’s beloved Birkin bag by Hermès. The reference might be nostalgic, but the look is wholly of-the-moment. See: Sarah Pidgeon, star of Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette who was spotted recently in Paris wearing a chestnut-coloured version on her elbow.
The height of luxury: Balenciaga’s Rodeo bag in embossed calfskin, €3,150; www.balenciaga.com.
Lauren Hutton carries a Bottega Veneta clutch in the 1980 film American Gigolo.
Elsewhere, there’s buzz around Bottega Veneta’s namesake Veneta bag, which debuted for SS26 under the vision of new creative director Louise Trotter. Boasting the house’s signature intrecciato, or woven leather, detailing the styles comes in a maxi shape which is sure to be a staple with the street style set as the season progresses. The Veneta is a re-release of an archive shape, similar to the reissue of the Lauren 1980 slouchy clutch last spring, which was originally worn by Lauren Hutton in the 1980 film American Gigolo – a moment in pop culture that set the brand on course to become the behemoth of quiet luxury it is today.
Bottega Veneta SS26.
Lately, it’s A-list men who are turning us onto the latest It bags. See Jacob Elordi toting a Bottega Veneta with aplomb or, more recently, Harry Styles carrying an animal print bag from the Chanel Métiers d’art 2026 fashion show with a suitably covetable outfit of straight leg jeans, a navy knit and a pair of loafers from The Row.
Sand Ida hobo bag, €390; www.frejanyc.com.
A new brand on our radar for spring is New York label Freja. Its clean lines and sleek shapes remind of Savette, The Row and the ever-popular De Mellier London (another brand that Despard name-checks). With Freja, each handbag is made in vegan leather and the styles of the season include dome shapes, micro top-handles and elegant clutches. Vegan styles mimic eel and croc finishes, as well as glossy leathers. Shop it at www.frejanyc.com.
READ MORE: Sharpen Your Look With These Polished Work Bags
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