Best Summer Handbags We Can’t Stop Thinking About

This season, it’s all about having fun and finding pieces that spark joy. From statement making sun hats, barely there swimsuits, flowy sundresses and updated gladiator sandals to designer tote bags that will hold all of your beach essentials, there are plenty of styles from the best designer handbag brands to choose from.

Thanks to the Spring/Summer 2022 runways, summer’s fiercest bags are anything but ordinary. Expect saturated brights and colorful rainbows as seen at Chloe, Loewe, and Valentino, to a plethora of playful reimagined buckets at JW Anderson, Ulla Johnson, and Ines Bressand (a favorite for those looking for an extra special new-spin on the classic summer bucket bag). Whether you’re looking for a designer beach bag, or something that won’t cost an entire rent check, it’s important to keep a few guidelines in mind when shopping for your next summer bag.

What to Look for in the Best Summer Handbags

• Materials: The first word that comes to mind here is texture. Summer bags are often crafted with woven materials. It’s important to remember that just because it’s summer, that doesn’t mean that we exclude leather. Look for updated woven leather designs, like those expertly crafted at Dragon Diffusion, St. Agni, and Clare V. Summer is a time to have fun with raffia, wicker and colorful woven knits, as well as canvas, linen, and lots of embellishments. “We use only natural vegetable-tanned leathers which can absorb water, humidity and sunlight,” says Craig Wright, founder of Dragon Diffusion. When looking for a summer bag with embellishments, it’s important to note that these come in a vast array of beaded detailing, including seashells, as seen at Alanui, and classic chainmail hardware embellishments at Paco Rabanne. Color and pattern are as important as ever here, and when deciding on a colored summer bag, take cues from the natural elements, sunsets, and florals for inspiration.
• Shapes: The beauty of a summer bag is that it should feel different than your tried-and-true black shoulder bag or your classic tote bag. Have fun with abstract shell shapes as seen at Loewe, or the summer fruit silhouettes from  Brazilian cult-favorite brand Serpui or the embroidered knit options at JW Anderson. For a more classic look, turn to bucket shapes, shoulder bags, tote bags and top handle variations. Zoë Kravitz and Alexa Chung remain huge fans of the oversized woven tote bag.
• Occasion: “A summer bag should be lightweight, open in design, and versatile. They should be big enough to put another pochette or wallet inside,” says Wright, who feels that summer bags should be able to go anywhere with you, from the beach to a night out. “They should be casual, but not fragile,” Wright adds. Whether you’re heading to a summer wedding, beach vacation, or even a date night, your summer bag should be adaptable, effortless, and finish your outfit seamlessly.