Bags don’t always get a significant moment during New York Fashion Week. Not every brand name or designer that debuts a runway collection is a clothes and devices designer, and some avoid consisting of handbags entirely. Others might decide to accent their collections with basic, downplayed bags created to not pull focus from the looks they accompany. In other words, scouting the best bag trends from NYFW can be a challenge– however it’s a difficulty we’re up for, if just to find out just how much smaller sized this year’s mini-bag trend is going to go. Spoiler alert: It’s still going.
The 2024 Spring/Summer runway collections were accented with lug bags, crossbody handbags, clutches, and purses that built on previous trends without straying too far from what works well this time of year: metallics, florals, and classic silhouettes. However, designers managed to refresh standard and timeless accessories with upgraded hardware, spirited sizing, and whimsical shapes and silhouettes.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up our favorite bag trends from amongst the 2024 NYFW Spring/Summer collections, so you can start preparing for the year ahead.
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Bag Layering
NYFW designs at Phillip Lim, Rachel Comey, and Coach bring double bags, among the very best 2024 NYFW SS24 fashion patterns.
We’ve viewed small bags get smaller sized and smaller sized, questioning what purpose they’ll serve as soon as they’re too tiny to hold anything but a compact. At NYFW, labels like Coach, Kate Spade, Rachel Comey, and 3.1 Phillip Lim served services on the runway with designs sporting not one, but 2 bags on their shoulders.
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3D Florals
Models at Sixdo and Kate Spade hold 3D floral bags, one of the best bag trends of NYFW 2023.
It wouldn’t be spring Fashion Week without a smattering of florals. This year, designers moved far from prints and towards playful, 3D flower petals that integrated the softness of ever-trendy rosettes with the whimsy of ’70s flower-power patterns.
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Larger-Than-Life Totes
Models at Sixdo, Tibi, and Phillip Lim carry slouchy, extra-large bags, among the best bag patterns of NYFW 2023.
The large carry bag pattern moved into a brand-new, slouchy direction this season. Shiny leather and neutral canvas totes in a variety of soft-edged and flexible shapes were spotted at Sixdo, Tibi, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and in other places.
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A Focus on Fringe
Designs carry fringe bags, among the best bag patterns of NYFW 2023.
XL top-handle totes got a ’70s- inspired update at Rachel Comey, Bronx and Banco, and Ulla Johnson thanks to layers of all-over and seam-accenting fringe.
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High-Shine Chain Straps
Designs at Phillip Lim and Kate Spade hold resin chain strap bags, one of the best bag patterns of NYFW 2023.
At 3.1 Phillip Lim and Kate Spade, chain strap bags got a glossy, modern transformation. The previous heated up classic leather handbag with resin chains, while there was a more monochromatic path at the latter, with chains coated in shades that matched each bag’s body.
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Micro-Mini Bags
Models at NYFW carry micro-mini bags, one of the best 2024 NYFW SS24 style patterns.
Whether or not they’re the most practical, there’s no denying that mini bags aren’t going anywhere. Last season’s tiny purses were diminished down even further at programs including Staud and Kate Spade.
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Gold-Dipped Baguettes
NYFW models carry gold metallic Y2K baguette bags, one of the very best 2024 NYFW SS24 fashion patterns.
The ’90s baguette shape appeared dipped in gold during this season’s runway programs. At Michael Kors, gold hardware changed the Y2K-inspired leather strap, while Ralph Lauren opted for a somewhat shrunken silhouette.
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A Perfect Match
Designs bring matching bags, one of the very best bag trends of NYFW 2023.
Abandon any concerns you’ve ever had about your accessories being too matchy-matchy. Designers including Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Libertine dove head-first into obvious pattern-matching. Sticking mostly to a black-and-white color scheme with occasional pops of neon, the boldness of this pattern is a little softened by the timeless silhouettes the prints appear on.
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Crocodile Rock
Models carry croc-embossed bags, one of the very best bag trends of NYFW 2023.
One of NYFW’s trendiest bag finishes was an ultra-shiny croc-embossed appearance. Jason Wu used the texture to an elegant and easy envelope clutch, Luar added the finish to its signature top manage purse, and Flying Solo utilized a crinkle croc effect on a sweet and glossy mini doctor bag.
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Scaled Down Satchels
NYFW models bring little satchels, one of the very best bag trends of NYFW 2023.
Pouches, a preppy visual essential device, got a vibrantly colored update at Coach, Carolina Herrera, and Kate Spade. Designed in jewel-toned leather at Coach, pretty pastel suede at Caroline Herrera, and supple neon leather at Kate Spade, there’s a shade for everyone when it comes to this well rounded traditional bag pattern.
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The Raffia Remix
Designs carry raffia bags, among the very best bag patterns of NYFW 2023.
Raffia bags are a warm-weather staple, and designers got creative this season by bringing the beloved material into unforeseen shapes with contrasting details and hardware. Bronx and Banco went sleek, 3.1 Phillip Lim took a crisp, two-tone method with layers of black leather, while Flying Solo used classic touches courtesy of warm wood information.
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Hardshell Handle Bags
Models carry hardshell purses, among the best bag patterns of NYFW 2023.
At Bibhu Mohapatra and Kött Kömm, hardshell bags with distinctively lustrous looks were sent down the runways. The rough-hammered finish of Kött Kömm’s circular clutch fell in action with the battle armor visual seen this year at Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris. At Bibhu Mohapatra, the hardshell pattern was understood in an ombré with all the glow of sleek quartz crystal.
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Circular Statement Clutches
Designs bring small circle bags, one of the best bag trends of NYFW 2023.
Round bags have actually been staging a return this year. While the circle bags spotted in Fall/Winter collections were nearly all mini- and structured, this season provided more range. Altuzarra sent smooth leather crossbody circle bags down the runway. Flying Solo took a petal-festooned, top-handle bag approach and Edher Gin provided a playfully punk trashing ball style.
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She Sells Seashells
NYFW designs bring seashell bags, among the very best bag trends of NYFW 2023.
At Staud and Ulla Johnson, a crafty bag trend got us itching for one last weekend “down the coast.” Opaque and glossy seashells developed both texture and print on brown leather handbags with fringe and leather thong detailing.
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Fashion-Forward Backpacks
NYFW designs use knapsacks, one of the best bag patterns of NYFW 2023.
We weren’t anticipating to enter into the back-to-school spirit during NYFW, but then Libertine and Flying Solo sent out knapsacks down the runway. These sleekly built and fringe-adorned accessories are an advantage for those of us who choose useful backpacks over stylish (but less ergonomic) lug bags for schlepping to and from work.
