This season’s handbag trends are some of my favorite in recent years – they scream understated elegance, versatility, and utility. The oversized totes, loud logos, and y2k maximalism of the past five years are slowly losing traction, and taking their place are timeless pieces that merge fashion with function and sophistication. Here are four trends to play with:
East West Silhouette
This unique shape has been around since the 1950s and has a vintage feel. These bags are horizontally oriented and offer a subtle statement that feels on-trend yet timeless. I have been loving Aest Studios’ Capture Large Shoulder Bag, which draws inspiration from camera bags. Its black oil-waxed cow leather and silver hardware give it an edge – I love to pair it with denim, leather, or a graphic tee. It also fits pretty much anything you need; at 15 inches across with two collapsible compartments, it’s a deceptively roomy bag. I’ve been able to fit a small umbrella and even a change of clothes. One small detail I love about this brand is that the logo uses Braille, symbolizing their philosophy of addressing invisible needs with thoughtful design.
Chocolate Suede
This trend is about color and texture rather than shape. We’re seeing the color brown for summer this year, and suede has skyrocketed in popularity these past few months. This one is tied directly to the ever-popular “quiet luxury” that has been trending for a while now and is, in my opinion, hitting its peak in 2025. Suede is a plush, expensive fabric that needs a lot of TLC to maintain – it also has a timelessness to it, as it’s been used to craft accessories for hundreds of years. The rich brown chocolate hue only adds to the opulence. I am in love with Mango’s Suede Shoulder Bag, an affordable option made of 100% bovine leather. The sumptuous print and gold hardware give it a high-end feel, and the color is to die for. This is the perfect little shoulder bag for brunch with friends or a night out – I can easily fit my phone, wallet, and a few extra necessities.
Ladylike Luxe
With a term like “office siren” dominating style content on Tiktok, it’s clear that ultra-feminine, seductive fashion is in – and that’s reflected in our handbags. The Teddy Blake Ava 9″ offers a structured, ladylike silhouette reminiscent of the Hermès Kelly, which dates back to the 1930s. Its compact, professional, yet graceful shape feels like something your grandmother could have used in her youth, yet the exquisite design and 100% leather craftsmanship render it totally timeless. I am obsessing over the color Aquatic Blue, which feels both very 1950s and extremely modern. The 9″ might look small, but its structure actually allows it to hold quite a lot.
City Smart
In recent years, shoulder bags have been top choice among style icons. Micro bags and top handles, too, have been enjoying a moment. Crossbody bags never went fully out of style, but we saw a slight dip in their popularity. Now, they’re back – and more elevated than ever before. The Dress Up Your Purse Petit Paris 15 is an ultra-chic, versatile satchel made of full-grain premium cowhide leather. Its rectangular shape exudes elegance, and reminds me of the Louis Vuitton Pochette Métis (though I genuinely enjoy the look of Paris 15 more). This brand was created by Mélodie Cécile, French designer and mom living in the Middle East. Mélodie’s products are not only beautifully crafted, but affordable as well. I took this fuss-free bag with me on a recent day out that included lunch and a concert at night, and was shocked to find I could fit every single item I needed into this compact little bag. It might take a bit of maneuvering, but you can fit all your everyday essentials. You can also remove the crossbody strap if you’d like, and use the little top handle. Out of all of these bags, this is the most timeless and classic – I can see this staying in my collection for many years.
