The spring/summer 2022 bag trends will be much rejoicing for the luxury bag lover crowd! The pandemic has hurt the luxury business, but it hasn’t dampened the love or excitement that new purses spark in the hearts of fans. The spring 2022 bags featured a mixture of the good old classic designs that have been in vogue for decades, along with some truly new and eccentric options for those who like to experiment.
Each season, there is always a new crop of fashion-forward bags that people everywhere flock to. While some of the exciting purse trends are simple rehashes of old looks, other trends crop up with silhouettes we have rarely seen before – think of the cylinder bag that pushed its way into the limelight this season.
Of course, structured bags and bulky totes for the litany of needed items these days have proven to be essential for every fashion girl, but that didn’t take away the need for party-ready bags. As I said earlier in the fashion trend report, 2022 is the year of extra details, and handbags are not ones to be left out.
Thus, glittering details found their way onto many bags, and retro trends such as heart-shaped purses excited many designers. But you aren’t reading this article to simply get an overview of the exciting 2022 handbag trends – you want every last detail. Thankfully, that’s just below! Have a look, and see if you have any of your own favorite spring 2022 purse trends that you look forward to trying!
Silhouettes
#1. Bucket Bags Galore
The ever-perfect beach bag is once more in fashion, with soft leather, embellished details, and glossy finishes to make it all the more popular. Yep, we’re talking about bucket bags! Every few years, this trend pops up again, and when it does, we couldn’t be happier.
This year, smaller bucket bags proved to be the popular choice among designers, with Chanel and Louis Vuitton creating fun options. However, if you’re just in need of a chic flower carrier, then Michael Kors’ black straw bucket bag is perfect, considering that’s how he sent the models down the runway with it.
#2. In the Clutch of Your Hand
The ultimate handbag, clutches are perfect for a night on the town. Often paired with a slinky dress, the small bags were held tightly in the grasp of models, from Hermes to Loewe. And if you happen to be afraid of any of your items slipping out, top handles, flaps, and secure magnets will hold your belongings tightly in the adorable bag.
#3. Homespun Effect
Crochet details have gripped the heart of nearly every item in the fashion world, from swimsuits to pants at the September fashion weeks. Not that we’re complaining, the crafty trend is both adorable and surprisingly functional. Naturally, the main designers that incorporated the 2022 handbag trend in their collections were more bohemian, with Jonathan Simkhai, Gabriela Hearst, Anna Sui, and Ulla Johnson coming in with plenty of versions of the hot bag.
#4. Oversized (and Entrancing) Totes
Last year’s oversized bags proved to be the bigger, the better, however, this year (while oversized still remains popular), it isn’t the obscenely large options we saw at Marni during fall and winter. Not that those options weren’t something we all fell for… Instead, this year’s large totes of canvas, cotton, linen, and leather proved to be simple, enlarged forms of our favorite designer silhouettes. So, head to Chanel, Molly Goddard, Tory Burch, Mark Fast, and Louis Vuitton for the perfect tote to bring into your life.
#5. Don’t Debrief Quite Yet…
As we head back to the office, some are either ecstatic to get back to work or irritated by the strict office dress code. And while briefcases are often considered a thing of the past, the many pockets and roomy interiors have made their case for use once more. Dior went strictly into the mod appeal with the ‘60s-themed runway, but if that isn’t your thing, then Prada and Peter Do will certainly have something for you.
#6. Totally Tubular
Similar to the bucket bag, the cylinder bag is a thin and tubular purse perfect for minimalists. The lovely ease of the bag (with its ability to make a small splash on any outfit) provided many creative directors with a jumping-off point. Prominently placed on the runways of Jil Sander, Burberry, and Isabel Marant, the bag proved to be the perfect night to day transition purse.
#7. Fill the Basket
Every spring, a few woven baskets will make their way down runways. Often a simple straw bag or sometimes a more elaborate woven pattern, the quintessential summer purse is back once more. Embellished details on the straw proved to be particularly loved at both Giambattista Valli and Givenchy, while Johanna Ortiz took a subtler approach.
#8. Your Luggage, Madame
As we get ready to face the traveling world once more, designers have prepared us with elegant carry-ons and vintage trunk-inspired bags. Louis Vuitton and Dior both reached for a smaller carry-on look. However, if you plan to be globe-trotting, then something a bit bigger will be just your taste. Trunk bags played a large role at Chanel, Versace, and Isabel Marant in sprawling rectangular shapes with detailed floral prints. Snatch up this handbag trend before your next trip to set off in style.
#9. Bagless Bags
Hands-free looks are rising in popularity once more with their chic and functional purpose. Whether the purse took form by being tied around the neck or attached to the belt, this look is pure genius for the busy person on the go. If this trend entices you at all, head to Brandon Maxwell, Staud, or Ulla Johnson for some hands-free purses.
#10. Structured Bags
The lovely ‘lady bag’ is returning in 2022 with its classic lines and structured appeal. Coming in various sizes, from petite like the Jacquemus’ Le Chiquito ‘it’ bag to large and boxy, the stiffly formed purse found its way around many fashion lovers’ hearts and onto the runways from Moschino to Versace.
#11. Tiny Bags
It’s funny how tiny bags (coin purses, really) have become such a runway staple! They’re the perfect accompaniment to a single-compartment tote, but they’re also nice all on their own when all you need to carry is a folded-up face mask and a couple of bills.
There were a ton of different tiny bags at Chanel, from jewelry-esque pieces worn crossbody to miniature handbags in classic Chanel styles. At Versace, tiny bags were an integral part of brightly color-blocked. We saw cute tiny bags at Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Emporio Armani, Ermanno Scervino, and others.
Details
#12. Heart in Hand
Another Y2K revival look, heart-shaped bags have regained popularity. Innocent and sweet, these bags are raging with newfound potential as creative directors piled on the extra details to make them pop, particularly at Lanvin. Balmain and Chanel found the eclecticism of the heart-shaped purse endearing, though they created the purse trend with quieter flair than the pop at Lanvin.
#13. Too Charming
As yet another kitschy trend inspired by the 2000s, purses with extra charms became increasingly popular. Y2K looks, consistently thrown out onto the Blumarine runway, were often spiced up with charming details (pun intended), and as the 2020s continue to age, the looks of the earlier decade are becoming popular. If the heavy kitsch of Blumarine isn’t something that particularly excites you, then head to Versace or Sunnei for some calmer takes.
#14. Kiss Lock
Hearts weren’t the only sign of great love coming this spring. While kiss locks are far subtler than the heart purse, this manner of securing your coin purse or clutch is infinitely romantic. Often considered vintage, brands such as Simone Rocha and Vivienne Westwood rethought the closure detail by adding many embellishments to heighten the appeal.
#15. Folded and Puffed
The way you carry your bag can say a lot more than the specific bag you carry. A folded tote expresses a cool, blasé attitude that really only works when that folded totes come from a luxury brand. Plush pillow bags folded like a dumpling have seemingly taken over the hearts of many creative directors to start this purse trend. Perhaps inspired by Bottega Veneta’s Jodie bag, the knotted and plush styles took particular hold at Chanel, Balmain, Tory Burch, Peter Do, and Altuzarra. You can bet that this look will certainly reach the streets in the coming weeks!
#16. All Chained up
Hardware is naturally a necessity to any handbag, and yet this year, it seems all the more crucial. From thick chains at Balmain and Stella McCartney to additional hardware at Alexander McQueen and Valentino, chunky details have proven themselves to be a key trend.
#17. All Decked out
I’ve mentioned extra glittering details a few times throughout this article, so it should come as no shock that embellishments are a hot bag trend. Mostly popular with Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Balmain, and Alexander McQueen, extra sequins, beads, and embroidered details made handbags the ultimate statement piece.
Style Tips
#18. Multi-Bagging
It appears that this year our many items are unlikely to fit into only one bag, and thus we might need two (or three!). This so-called ‘multi-bagging’ movement appears to be spreading fast, with houses such as Chanel and brands from Altuzarra to Rejina Pyo jumping in on the look. So, if you can’t decide which purse to carry with you, just bring them all.
#19. Matchy-Matchy
Another key to styling bags like a 2022 runway model was finding a bag to match your outfits. Call it childish, but with the ever-changing world around us, rehashing our childhood style might be beneficial. If you’re interested in this look and need a bit of inspiration, then designers such as Paco Rabanne and Sandy Liang have you covered. Bonus points if you can get the prints to match!
Photos via Vogue, Livingly
