The Only 6 Spring Handbag Trends You Need to Know for 2024

It should come as no surprise that, as our schedules continue to overflow with appointments, meetings, errands and, well, life, carryall totes are also coming back into fashion as we saw in Miu Miu's and Bottega Veneta’s spring 2024 ready-to-wear collections. And when Business of Fashion dubbed the Margaux bag ($4,990) by The Row, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s fashion label, one of the most coveted accessories in fashion last week, we took note. Bags that can fit everything you might need for a full day—from lunches to gym shoes to after school snacks—are perhaps the best trend to invest in for 2024 because even if (or when) we find ourselves eventually gravitating back toward smaller shoulder bags or petite clutches, a large tote will always be useful to have. Look for one with a relaxed structure and minimal detailing, as opposed to floppy silhouettes with lots of outer pockets or buckles, to really maximize on this handbag’s timeless appeal.

Speaking of structure, bucket bags are another big trend for 2024. This classic embodies practicality and play (let’s not forget that it was originally created to transport champagne bottles). And while we may not have bottles of Veuve in tow, we’ll gladly utilize the roomy interior for our phones, wallets and such. This year’s variations are casual and practical—take, for example, Katie Holmes’s casual oversize leather bag from Madewell, which proved to be a good errand bag and bouquet carrier, and Taylor Swift’s elevated embossed Stella McCartney with its chain strap stealing the show. When special occasions roll around, we’ll gladly opt for evening styles to suit the glitz and glam. The key is to find a bag that his that sweet spot of being somewhere between a sturdy leather bucket bag and a fully malleable canvas.

We saw woven leather handbags begin to gain traction in the fall of last year, and we expect their popularity to be at an all-time high in 2024. We’ve particularly seen Bottega Veneta dominate and lead the trend for some time now; the brand’s coveted styles like the Jodie and Andiamo exemplify how the distinctive look of the interlaced strands creates depth and adds texture. While we predict brands will use this woven technique with other materials in place of leather, (think: rope, raffia and straw) especially come summertime, we expect to see the leather styles saturate the spring market. Following the nature of the unique weave, opt for fun colors or interesting silhouettes over timeless ones to allow your new bag to really stand out.

Statement clutches are another great investment that will never be passé. You can find them in petite versions that are perfect for adding a posh touch to your evening outfits, and in larger silhouettes that can fit all your essentials and then some and tuck away safely under your armpit. Gucci led the charge on last year’s ready-to-wear runway, showcasing a horsebit-chain shoulder bag clutch, and soon other fashion houses like The Row and Proenza Schouler followed suit during New York Fashion Week. The key is to make sure your bag is supple enough to scrunch effortlessly below your arm and alongside your frame, and regardless of which size you prefer, we recommend choosing a pop of color, intricate design or a heavily embellished style over a neutral piece to ensure your statement clutch makes a literal statement, as the name suggests.

For the past few months, it seems as though all anyone can talk about (or wear) is the color red. Both on and off the runway, we’ve seen the fiery shade dictate all aspects of fashion from head to toe, whether it be in the form of coats, skirts, blouses or accessories. While we don’t expect the tinge to cool off any time soon, we do foresee burgundy shades taking center stage. And we’re not the only ones: Who What Wear predicted it to be the successor to bright reds. Warm wines and clarets have a richer and more sophisticated air than their cooler counterpart, cherry red. What’s more, burgundy bags offer a fresh way to subtly shake up your daywear without having to commit to a vibrant shade. That said, these bags are meant to add a pop of color, so don’t be afraid to play around with mixing them in with both your everyday favorites and bolder wardrobe staples. Psst…we’ve already clocked Hailey Bieber adopting the Bordeaux look straight from the runways.

Is it coincidental animal prints came back en vogue concurrently with the uptick of interest in the mob wife aesthetic? We think not. Contrary to quiet luxury, expect to see people moving toward loud, out of this world pieces in animal fabrics like cheetah, zebra, leopard, snakeskin, crocodile, cow, you name it. For handbags, this means letting the print do the talking. Opt for streamlined silhouettes in place of extraneous external pockets, exposed zippers, shiny embellishments and exaggerated details. We recommend balancing these statement-making bags with more low-key clothing, like non-distressed denim or black trousers and a plain white tee or a sleek cashmere knit.