With the transition of seasons almost always comes the desire for a little wardrobe refresh. Adding a top or dress to your rotation is never a bad idea. But a carefully chosen, seasonal bag can do enough heavy-lifting to make existing pieces in your closet feel brand new. The shift from spring to summer has brought a wave of brightly colored, woven bags to my favorite retailers’ new arrivals, and I’m taking it as my cue to jumpstart the season before I fall into last year’s “I waited too long and now everything is sold out” debacle.
In addition to the usual selection of versatile raffia bags, the suede trend is still in full force, as is the resurgence of oversized totes and top-handle bags. (Suede for summer? That is groundbreaking.) Also woven into the mix are contemporary updates to summer bags, with bright colors, stunning beading, and cheeky details making the decision of which bag to invest in for the spring and summer season harder than ever.
With an overwhelming amount of gorgeous bag options available now—which have me caught between add all to cart and I can’t make up my mind so I’m closing this tab—I’ve taken it upon myself to divide the best options into five easy categories. No matter what you’re wearing this summer, whether it’s a basic tank and shorts or a dress and heels, finishing the look with one of these bag styles is guaranteed to elevate it in an effortless way.
An Everyday Bag in a Fun Color or Texture
Even when we’re having fun with bags, we need an everyday silhouette that works for keeping packed and grabbing on your way out the door. This summer, try a fun color or texture. A pop of juicy pink, the recently-revived mint green, or eye-catching olive will add that special seasonal touch to any outfit. A texture like woven leather, suede, or cane adds dimension to any breezy, cotton or linen-forward looks.
A Raffia or Straw Bag
Summer is basically synonymous with a raffia bag, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Modernize your 2026 pick with a slouchy, oversized silhouette, a unique beaded handle, or an unexpected color.
A Carry-All Tote
For farmers market trips, days in the office, or schlepping Saturdays, you’ll need a carry-all tote that sparks some joy. You can go for the classic straw option, or mix it up with a unique pattern or bright monogram. When you’re heading out for the day and want to carry a water bottle, book, sunscreen, reusable grocery bags, three pairs of sunglasses, and six lip products, you’ll be thankful you have this in rotation.
A Statement Bag
Welcome back to wedding season! One of my favorite parts about summer weddings is the ability to have a little bit of fun with formal wear. These bags will certainly have you feeling like the best-dressed guest, but they also work beautifully for summer dinners out. I’ll take a spicy margarita and a basket of chips and salsa on a patio, please.
A Mini Bag
Sometimes, less is more. For nights out, concerts, festivals, or whatever else is on your summer calendar, a mini bag is an essential player in your line-up. This size also allows you to have a lot of fun with pattern, color, and texture, as they will not overpower a look.
Our Favorite Summer Bag Charms and Accessories
My personal favorite part about summer bags? The accessories! Bag charms stormed onto the scene a few summers ago, and haven’t left since. They’re the perfect way to add a bit of personality to your handbag of choice. And if purchasing a new bag for the summer isn’t in the cards, you can make your existing collection feel brand new with bag charm or two.
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
Products included in graphic linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Banana Republic Factory, J. Crew, ASOS, and Tuckernuck.
