2022's Hottest Spring/Summer Handbags
It’s time to update your rotation with our picks of fresh bag styles of the season
A spanking new bag in your arm sounds like a good idea to have as we re-emerge into the world in the next few days. The good news: there are plenty of contenders from the Spring/Summer 2022 collections to choose from. Ahead, we give you a primer on the must-have bag styles right now.
Introducing The Soft Curve: Alexander McQueen’s new counterpart to The Curve bucket bag unveiled last season. The sculptural base and signature harness detailing of the latter undergoes a gentle touch with The Soft Curve’s malleable leather drawstring closure and features an array of colourways ranging from pale grey to neon pink. Designed to be carried crossbody or over the shoulder, this bucket bag also scores for its compact size (it measures 14cm by 25cm).
Freshly launched this month, the XX is named after the cheeky smooch text sign off. Reminiscent of Demna’s iconic Hourglass line, the bag resembles the former’s curved, crescent-shaped base with a curve-edged flap, juxtaposed by a wide, trapezoidal body.
With rounded corners and magnetic closure, the understated silhouette comes in a choice of neutral colourways or vivid hues of neon green or pearl pink among other options. The XX is available in three sizes for the shoulder bag design (like the one pictured) and three sizes for a hobo style, in calfskin or shiny croc-embossed leather. We’re sold, XOXO.
Bulgari has a new debut you can add to your growing collection of jewellery box-inspired bags. Its Serpenti Forever Mini Jewellery Box is crafted in a beautiful grained, amaranth garnet red Urban calf leather (it also comes in gold and black) which provides decent storage with an inner compartment and secret compartment at the base of the bag to store all your essentials. Two zipped pullers adorned with the Roman house’s signature snake head motifs complete the bag.
First debuted in Fall/Winter 2021, the softly structured Lola bag is refreshed this season in bright hues like lime green, tangerine, and pastel purple. Its adjustable chain also means the bag is just as versatile and can be carried as a clutch.
Other new additions to the Lola family include the Lola Zip and Lola Bucket — which are exactly what they say on the tin. What stays the same with these satchel and bucket silhouettes is the timeless check quilting we’ve come to know and love.
Celine’s Cuir Triomphe collection — which was unveiled in the Spring season this year — has something for everyone. From a timeless shoulder bag style to a funkier oval silhouette, each iteration bears an oversized format of the brand’s iconic Triomphe motif.
A smorgasbord of colour options adds another layer of versatility to the collection – these include vibrant neon hues and more muted neutrals.
The Chanel 22 name is a nod to both the year of its debut (2022) and acts as a symbol in Chanel’s numerology: Chanel’s second fragrance, Nº22, which was launched in 1922.
The bag itself is built to be your next best friend. With a removable pouch and inner zipped pocket within the roomy interior, it is perfect for bringing around on the daily, while the magnetic button closure and drawstrings facilitate easy access without all the fuss.
The Chanel 22 is available in S, M and L and as a backpack, and with versions in navy blue, purple, two shades of pink, white, and black.
With Gabriela Hearst’s second collection for Chloe comes the introduction of the Kattie, a handbag-statement jewellery hybrid. The calfskin flap bag features a unique bracelet detail that doubles up as a handle, comprising three of the materials the French house primarily uses: brass, wood, and leather. With an adjustable and removable strap, it can be worn as a clutch, shoulder or cross body bag. The Kattie comes in a range of neutrals including amber olive, burning camel, and ebony brown.
The American leather goods house was the first brand to debut its now-signature glove-tanned cowhide leather – and the Cashin Carry tote serves as a timely reminder of this legacy.
The minimalist archival design pays homage to its former designer and one of American sportswear early pioneers Bonnie Cashin, who first introduced the bag in the early ’60s. Available in a plethora of leather and sizes, we dare say that this may be the ideal carryall.
The Lady D-Lite is the more casual sister of the Lady Dior and is noted for its fully embroidered design. Loved by the likes of Blackpink’s Jisoo and Megan Markle, the many iterations of the bag adds to its wide appeal. This season, additions veer towards a more playful colour palette and textiles, with standouts being bright D-Flower Pop embroidery (pictured) and Toile de Jouy reverse embroidery.
The love for the half-moon hobo bag just keeps on coming. The Fendigraphy line by the Italian house is a more structured take on the trend, with an adjustable strap to create the perfect armhole — this can be removed to be worn as a crossbody instead. At the base of the bag is the brand’s name spelt out in vintage gold metal.
Fendigraphy is available in three sizes and multiple materials, including smooth leather and suede – though the nano is more of a bag charm than anything else.
It can’t be much of a surprise that the Kenny bag is Givenchy’s key handbag of the season given that it was named after It girl Kendall Jenner herself. The croissant-shaped bag – which comes in a small and mini size – boasts Givenchy’s 4G padlock and handles made up of a string of G-cube monograms.
Gucci’s makeover of the Bamboo bag earlier this year stays fresh in mind as we begin to update our wardrobes for the new season. The latest rendition, in all-black treatment that includes the bamboo handles, gives the bag a cool tough edge.
For Spring/Summer 2022, Hermes interprets the feeling of lightness with a whopper selection of 144 accessories. One item that catches our attention is the update given to the iconic Kelly. Dubbed Colormatic, it features a playful colour-blocked look with a utilitarian zipped pocket in a contrasting hue on the front.
Making its debut this March, the Luna is creative director Jonathan Anderson’s take on the crescent-shaped hobo bag. With its structured construction, slim base and an understated curved double lip closure, the bag oozes a cool artisanal cachet.
The bag comes with a detachable strap, allowing the wearer the choice to carry it over the shoulder or as a crossbody. As for the colour options, the Luna is available in timeless hues such as black, avocado green, ash grey and pecan (pictured).
First making an appearance in Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection this year, this metallic silver Coussin BB is a puffy (coussin means cushion in French), resplendent handbag perfect for a day-to-night situation. Its monogram-embossed plush lambskin and removable gold-coloured chunky chain oozes futuristic glamour, while maintaining functionality with an additional removable leather shoulder strap and two inner compartments.
Meet Miu Miu’s answer to the logo-festooned bag: a boxy shoulder bag plastered with an all-over embossed Miu Miu pattern. Besides black, this debut style also comes in shades of nude and pink – perfect pieces to completement the brand’s flirty micro mini skirts ensembles.
The Prada Triangle is essentially an oversized version of the brand’s symbol disguised as a bag. Carry it as a crossbody, or for the less committed – a pouch. A version in canvas is also available for those who prefer something more rugged.
Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Le 5 A 7 eather shoulder bag, $3,060, Saint Laurent
This pillowy number with its lozenge quilting is a youthful take on a timeless shoulder bag style. The YSL initials in bronze-toned metal provide just the right detail to cement that Rive Gauche status.
Ferragamo Cage calf leather bucket bag, price unavailable, Salvatore Ferragamo
You may want to add this to your list if you’re on the hunt for a bucket bag. Making its debut this season, Ferragamo Cage comprises an outer cage with geometric studs (note the touch of kink) accompanied with an inner removable drawstring pouch. The bag comes in black, white, and seasonal shades of red and Tyrone turquoise.
Tod’s continues to build on its T Timeless collection this season. The line, marked by a T-shaped logo, includes more creative expressions now including this gem-hued version featuring multi-coloured braided detail on the trimming.
TEXT: Tatiyana Emylia/FEMALE