If the shorter days are any indication, winter is officially right around the corner. By now, we’ve already stocked our closets with the latest coat, knit, and boottrends, which leaves us with one final accessory left to shop: the handbag. The pièce de résistance to any outfit, a good bag has the power to pull any look together, especially when we’re all bundled up. Not sure which styles to shop this season? Don’t worry; we did the homework for you.
For winter 2021, we’ll be seeing a shift away from low-key classics, and instead, unexpected colors, prints, textures, and shapes will take hold. But are we really surprised? After spending the better part of 2020 and early 2021 indoors—in sweatpants—it’s no wonder that we’re itching to infuse some excitement back into our bag collections.
Ahead, you’ll find our guide to the seven winter handbag trends we expect to dominate this season. From small (but not too small), ’90s-inspired shoulder bags to totes of gargantuan proportions, from the brightly hued to the bedazzled and fuzzy, shop all of the styles we’re currently eyeing.
While the fall/winter 2021 collections have sparked a number of new handbag trends, the prints we’ve been seeing are undoubtedly the most fun. This season, we’re shopping for abstract patterns (take Prada’s buzzy jacquard knits, for example) as well as the oh-so-popular checkered print and colorful takes on classic animal prints, just to name a few.
Every couple of years, we see furry bags come back in a big way. This time around, we have Bottega Veneta and the Ugg x Telfar collab to thank. From super-soft faux fur to shearling styles, winter 2021’s fuzzy iterations are all we want to carry as we enter peak cozy season.
The shoulder-bag trend is still going strong, and we’ll still be proudly carrying ours all winter long. This season’s best styles nod to past silhouettes (hello, ’90s!) and are available in an array of colors, textures, and prints. Whether you’re looking to carry something minimalist or something bold, there’s a bag for you.
Forget neutrals. This winter, we’re all for carrying bold and bright primary colors. From cherry reds to vibrant yellows, this season’s colorful-bag offerings—as minimalist in design as they may be—serve as the final statement-making touch to any cold-weather look. Let’s face it: Winter can be bleak. So why not carry a poppy handbag to brighten things up?
As in-person gatherings become more and more of the norm, this winter is bound to be jam-packed with holiday soirées, dinner parties, and long nights out, and we’ll be reaching for sparkly, crystal-embellished bags to wear with all of our winter party looks. However, while these bedazzled wonders pair well with our cocktail dresses and going-out tops, they look just as good when worn with a chunky, casual sweater.
After the oversize bag made its rounds on the runway for the last few seasons, it finally made its way to our feeds this fall. Sure, mini bags will always have a place in our hearts, but we’re also glad to have some (very) large options available for when we have more than a credit card and an iPhone to lug around. From slouchy to structured, these spacious styles boast room for gloves, hats, and other necessities, yet they’re still sleek enough to wear to dinner.
Do you ever find yourself frustrated with trying to fit your shoulder bag over a bulky coat? Lucky for you, top-handle bags are also having a moment for winter 2021. Including larger, office-appropriate styles and cute mini bags fit for a night out, there’s a style for every sartorial situation. (Not to mention, many come equipped with an optional crossbody strap for when you don’t want to hold them.)
