There are snow piles all over the streets of New York that have yet to melt, but we’re still thinking and yearning for spring, which is truly not that far away if you really think about it. The only thing that makes the cold bearable is the thought that, in just a couple of weeks, we’ll all be shedding our layers in the sun.
Not only will the new season bring a need for lighter coats, but also fun spring bag trends you can wear with them, without having to worry about the constant stress of them slipping off your slippery puffer coat arm. The only thing better than sipping a spritz at a corner bar is sipping a spritz at a corner bar while staring at your new bag, filled to the brim with your things, because you can finally go outside and do things instead of sitting at home.
Below are the four big bag trends we can’t wait to wear when we (and the snow piles) finally defrost.
Letting It All Hang Out
Models on the runways these days are wearing their bags with reckless abandon. They aren’t just tossing them over their shoulders; they’re leaving them unzipped while swaying them from side to side with a lackadaisical attitude. Bag flaps hanging open, revealing and even threatening to spill all of your things, isn’t messy now. It’s chic. It’s cool to show that you have a busy life to live and perhaps not even a second or two left over to fasten your bag. The best part of the trend is that you can invest in a looser, slouchier bag that allows for this kind of look, or just wear one you already own with a lazy indifference. You’ll look cool no matter what.
CBK-Inspired
Ryan Murphy’s latest anthological series, Love Story, which follows the relationship of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, was just released last week on Hulu with a three-episode drop. The show is already on its way to becoming an instant hit, and the interest in CBK’s iconic minimalist style has skyrocketed, which is saying a lot, considering she has remained a consistent style icon among fashion fans and designers alike for decades.
The renewed interest is no doubt going to cause an uptick in fans searching for her vintage Prada and Yohji Yamamoto pieces, and we’re likely to see that CBK influence in the bags people choose to wear, too. Instead of flashier options, Bessette Kennedy was known for wearing simple black Prada bags with gorgeous and timeless silhouettes. Now is the time to source one on eBay – or opt for a newer iteration—before prices go all the way up.
Bowling bags have been hot, but they’re going to be hotter in 2026. Coach‘s take on the bag—the Kisslock Barrel Bag, with a more elongated shape—has already sold out and is on track to become one of our favorite ‘It’ bags of the year. What makes bowling and barrel bags so great is that they’re large. Their size helps make a statement while also rendering them extremely utilitarian and easy to actually use. They’re the kind of bag you don’t want to take off. And why should you? They look good with everything while also holding everything.
A Pouch to Have and to Hold (Tightly)
It seems like pouches are always the bridesmaid, never the bride—that is, until now. The simple bag, which most often houses other bags, is having a breakthrough thanks to Mrs. Prada. On the runway, her models were wearing slinky opera gloves and holding silk pouches. It’s an elegant look that feels otherworldly and extremely wearable. It’s elegant but not stuffy. It’s just fanciful enough, and it’s fun to see how the bags change shape with whatever you do (or don’t) decide to put inside.
