Investing in a timeless bag is a move that pays off both fashion-wise and financially, but the new season’s trend cycle always brings with it some unexpected designs that make every outfit feel fresh and new again. For SS24, there are plenty of options on the menu. A fluffy padded bag will make your morning commute or busy weekend more stylish, while a Croissant will complete the effortless elegance for an understated yet luxurious look.
Straw bags are making a comeback for beachside days, and for those caught in the midst of the never-ending Y2K revival, the influx of boxy shoulder bags with nostalgic silver hardware is sure to be a welcome sight.
The affordable designer bag market has been booming this year, offering more choice beyond the big fashion items (which are becoming increasingly expensive) and disposable designs that once dominated the high street. Speaking of the British high street, brands such as Cos, Arket and Massimo Dutti have made great strides recently, crossing the line between high and low, launching pieces that look as sophisticated as four-figure investments.
Here are the bag trends we expect to see in style for Spring/Summer 2024 and beyond.
ELLE’s SS24 Trend Bag Guide
Puffer Bag
With its cozy size and comforting softness, this comfy puffer bag is made to bring joy. Throw one over your weekday outfit or use it to pack your weekend shopping. It pairs especially well with kitschy summer dresses, and contrasts colours and prints for maximum effect.
Chaotic carryall
The cluttered reality of city living was front and center on the SS24 runways. Shoes and phone chargers spilled out of overflowing totes at Miu Miu, and models at Bottega Veneta carried oversized straw baskets stuffed with beach essentials. Leather baskets were stuffed with dried flower leaves at Hermès, and Balenciaga’s new city bags were jingling with mismatched key rings and charms. Go big, go full, and enjoy the season of kitchen-sink carryalls.
Devastating sweetness
TikTok trends may come and go with lightning speed, but the coquette girl’s penchant for style lives on in this season’s sweetest accessories. Whether it’s Simone Rocha pearls or Scrunchie/Ton bows, the finishing touch to this season’s most adorable outfits is packed with feminine energy.
Vintage Relics
With new designer releases creeping out of reach for many, vintage bags are making a big comeback. 2000s hero, the moto-style Balenciaga City, is once again popular, so much so that creative director Demna Gvasalia pulled it from the archives, while Gucci’s ’90s Horsebit is another classic making a comeback. Whatever your style preference, you’ll find a retro gem. Are you ready to embrace the oncoming bohemian boom? Grab a Chloe Paddington now and flaunt it for the rest of the year.
More about Y2K
Patent leather, linear shapes and plump pockets abound: the baguette and shoulder bags we all loved as teenagers are making a huge comeback this summer, with affordable designer bag brands Charles & Keith and Marge Sherwood bringing nostalgic designs to the table.
Croissant Curve
You probably remember the bag that started it all. Last year, Uniqlo became the unlikely name behind the It bag of summer. The retailer’s roomy nylon pouch was both practical and cheaper than a pint at the pub, and designed for hands-free movement at your side, it was the perfect piece for festivals, weekends, and days running errands.
Now, that loose, croissant-shaped silhouette is everywhere: supple leather designs from The Row and Lemaire exude quiet luxury, while plenty of mid-priced brands offer their own versions: think Cos for business, Damson Madar for leisure.
Summer Straw
Of course, straw bags are a true summer essential. Every year, new woven raffia bags hit the shelves, ready to be worn on hot holidays or days in the city. The annual collaboration between Loewe and Paula’s Ibiza still reigns as the most popular woven tote – lime green is the favourite this year – while artisan project Aranaz & Métier makes traditional pieces with a refined finish.
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