FIVE BAG TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2024

From the Y2K maximalism of embellished bags to understated baguette bags, the trending bag styles of the year rank across the board. Oversized styles from names like HEREU or The Row offer maximum practicality as well as dramatic proportions while asymmetrical designs courtesy of Gucci, Burberry, and Coperni eschew practicality and cater to the aesthetic side of the spectrum. Wherever you look though, the best bags of 2024 are underpinned by a sense of fun.

The popularity of asymmetrical bags really began to grow in the latter half of 2023, leading naturally into what looks like a breakout year in 2024. Asymmetry presents an easy way for labels to reframe their classic codes. Take Gucci’s Horsebit 1955 Bag, for example, which is executed in a refined black leather and features the house’s horsebit detailing. At its core, it’s a classic black handbag for the ages, but with a modern asymmetrical twist in the tale, it becomes a skewed, eye-catching version. Similarly, Burberry’s Mini Shield Sling Bag puts the brand’s new check front and center, mixing things up with a large bell detail and a curving, asymmetrical silhouette. Coperni combines the luxury of croc-embossed leather with a whimsical heart shape that loops over the shoulder for a spacious and stylistically attractive proposition.

It can be easy to lose sight of the real purpose of a bag. Of course, the aesthetic value cannot be understated, but it’s possible to get the aesthetic value alongside practicality. Bucket bags are great proof of this. The tubular shape increases the interior space without giving in to bulkiness. Max Mara’s clean Archetipo Tote shows that even at a large size, bucket bags still feel clean and easy to style, while iterations from Jacquemus and Dries Van Noten feature bold embellishments that raise the personality without hindering functionality.

Standing in stark contrast to the restraint of quiet luxury, we saw a rise in the popularity of bold detailing in 2023. As such, it feels inevitable that 2024 will be the year of bows, bold crystal details, and the like. Embellishment is fun, it’s loud, and in 2024, the more striking it is, the better. Simone Rocha’s Bow Crossbody Bag combines military style with cute bows for a clashing masterpiece. Elsewhere, Dolce & Gabbana’s ‘DG’ Girls Bag proffers the kind of baroque maximalism we expect from the label. Diesel continues its Y2K victory lap with a crystal-encrusted denim number that’s well-suited to everyday use.

The ’90s and ’00s have been a focus for several seasons now, but 2024 is set to see the era’s bags hit the fore. Baguette bags are long, stout, and rectangular, which makes them surprisingly practical for purses, phones, and general daily supplies. Designs from Burberry, Jacquemus, and Jil Sander stand out as highlights within this bag trend, drilling home the refinement of baguette bags.

After Tom Wambsgans’s iconic “ludicrously capacious” comment, huge bags have been in the collective psyche. Spring/Summer 2024 shows cemented this, with relaxed, oversized bags accessorizing shows like Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, and more. In the coming year, large tote bags and shoulder bags will become more and more prevalent, especially with luxe editions from the likes of The Row and HEREU leading the charge.