Colour pop bags bags aren’t just for Spring/Summer, I’ll have you know.
Sure – as the days get shorter, it’s easy to fall into an autumn-winter rut and wrap up in all black. We get it, when it’s still pitch black as you commute to the office, the natural inclination is to reach for hues as grim as the sky. We’re not about to convince you otherwise — and though a strong case can be made for chocolate brown or oxblood as trending alternatives, the accessories could be a great place to spice things up.
We’ve talked about the burgundy bag taking over our feeds (and the streets), but sometimes an all-black look can be a great canvas against which even brighter bags can pop. We’re talking about baby blues, bubble-gum pinks and maybe even Brat green (long live Brat summer). Luckily, the catwalks and new-season collections have been following suit.
Dressing up for the office or events also feel that much more special when you have a fun bag on display. If you’re feeling particularly daring, you could even go one step further and dabble in the colour-block trend of the season and wear up to three colours at a time. With a purse in a punchy hue, you’d already be a third of the way there.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Ahead, shop our fashion editors’ pick of the best luxury colour pop bags of the season.
1. The Modernist Clutch Bag
Since 2013, when Northern-Irish designer Jonathan Anderson took the role of Creative Director, Loewe has been up there with the hottest of global super-brands. Only cemented by its appearance on the Lyst luxury brand index for the first time ever in 2023, and the brand being worn by Rihanna at the Super Bowl in 2023.
While their ready-to-wear is worth all the applause, Loewe’s bag offering – as approved by Jennifer Lawrence and Naomi Campbell – is where they really win. The Puzzle bag remains a firm editor-favourite, but this season – as a result of Loewe reimagining their Flamenco with a detachable gold-tone chain strap that drapes like jewellery – this epic leather clutch is catching up. It’s crafted by artisans in Spain from leather and has a drawstring top for easy access to your essentials.
2. The vintage icon bag
According to fashion legend, in 1964 – three years after the Gucci Constance was released, FYI – the Jackie Kennedy Onassis entered a Gucci boutique and treated herself to six of said crescent-shaped Constance bags. She was then rarely photographed without one of the six bags in tow, later encouraging the luxury Italian fashion house to re-name the bag “The Jackie”.
The structured and effortlessly elegant style is crafted in a half-moon, hobo-style shape, and available in countless playful colour-ways. And playing into the fashion set’s current preference for quiet luxury – with the exception of the monogram styles – there is no obvious logo. A beloved piece of fashion history, no round-up of the best colour-pop bags would be complete without it.
3. The statement sorbet bag
Miu Miu launched back in 1993 as an accessories-first brand and has since appealed to women who aren’t afraid to make a statement. Said sentiment is certainly illustrated with this mustard-yellow grab-bag, crafted from lamb leather and in the brand’s signature half-moon shape. It has a detachable handle for those who wish to travel hands-free.
4. The ultimate cross-body
Neat in shape and compact in size, the best designer crossbody bags elegantly sit atop dresses, leather jackets and wool coats, allowing us to revel in the joy of travelling light. This season, elevated classics are going no-where – Ferragamo’s Hug soft leather cross-body bag is a wardrobe mainstay for minimalists – but colour-pop bags are big news, too. Case in point: Diesel’s 1DR shoulder bag, which is finished in metallic green as a nod to the futuristic-babydoll trend that’s so big for AW.
5. The embossed pastel
Crafted from 100% leather in Italy, Fendi’s lilac Nappa Baguette chain midi bag is an editor favourite for the season, finished with gold toned hardware and – in contrary to some of the other stealth iterations elsewhere in this guide – embossed with FF monograms.