The It bag is finally back! In the season of creative transition, creative directors are returning to classic bag designs, infusing them with fresh twists and bringing us bold new styles to covet.

The Spring/Summer 2026 season has already become synonymous with creative change &mdash; a host of new creative directors have taken the reins at key fashion Maisons, and have unveiled their debut womenswear collections, signifying a restart of fashion. In this era of transformation, breaking the old and establishing the new is not necessarily the only way forward. Many creative directors have chosen to return to the essence of the fashion house: emphasising authenticity, exquisite craftsmanship, and timeless wearability. In doing so, they have reshaped classic brands, striking a balance between heritage and new vision, bringing a sense of freshness to the consumer.

Spring/Summer 2026 handbag styles are continuing to champion practicality and understated elegance. Brands are no longer blindly chasing the "new bestseller"; designers are reinterpreting classic designs from the past, bringing a balance between brand heritage, functionality, and material innovation. The following five handbags, after being recently showcased at fashion shows, have become hot topics due to their combination of style and practicality, and have the potential to become the bestsellers of the new season.

Loewe Amazona 180

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez recently unveiled their first collection since taking the helm at Loewe. The creative duo rose to fame with the PS1 handbag collection at Proenza Schouler, so the handbags in their debut collection for Loewe have naturally became a design highlight. They have chosen to reinterpret the classic Amazona as a single handle design, which immediately turned heads in the fashion world.

The Amazona 180 was created to celebrate the brand's 180th anniversary. This reinterpreted version features a half-open zipper design, presenting an effortless and casual aesthetic, melding the New York spirit with centuries of Spanish craftsmanship.

The new version features a unique single-handle design and a new double-L logo. It is available in various materials such as smooth leather, suede, and crocodile leather, and boasts ample capacity. Combining style and practicality, it perfectly blends modern silhouettes with leather craftsmanship.

Celine New Luggage

Launched by Phoebe Philo in 2010, the Phantom Luggage has become a hallmark handbag design in Celine's history. These days, it is also affectionately known as the "smiley face bag" due to its curved zipper. Under creative director Michael Rider, the handbag has been updated for the Spring 2026 collection, resulting in the highly anticipated New Luggage, a new design with a more modern silhouette that combines elegance with everyday usability.

The New Luggage has become a key bag in Celine's new creative era and has been launched ahead of the spring season. Stars including BTS member V, actress Julia Roberts, and A$AP Rocky have all been photographed using the handbag.

Chanel's New 2.55 Bag

Since its launch, the Chanel 2.55 handbag remains one of the brand's most iconic and beloved bags. New creative director Matthieu Blazy has given the bag a fresh, modern interpretation. The new version features a deliberately distressed look, with double flaps and an open design. The bag is intentionally crumpled, showcasing its durable condition and highlighting the wearer's love for the bag, while also exuding a more casual feel.

Bottega Veneta Lauren

Bottega Veneta's classic Lauren clutch has also been given a fresh look by the house's new creative director, Louise Trotter. At the Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show, Lauren Hutton was specially invited to appear in the front row (she had previously appeared in the brand's "Craft is Our Language" advertising campaign), and she was inseparable from the new accessories.

Louise Trotter scoured Bottega Veneta's archives from 1966 to 1977 for iconic accessory elements, amplifying and extending Lauren Hutton's unforgettable design from the 1980 classic film American Gigolo. This clutch is reimagined in supple leather and Bottega Veneta's signature Intreccio woven leather, presented in a new proportion.

Dior Cigale bag

Jonathan Anderson's first designs for Dior have garnered much attention. In addition to the new book tote that debuted in the 2026 menswear collection, he also brought the Cigale to the Spring 2026 collection. It draws inspiration from the brand's classic elements and archives. Named after his favorite Christian Dior dress, it comes from the brand's 1952 autumn collection and was hailed as a "masterpiece of structure and craftsmanship" at the time.

A major highlight of the Ciagle handbag is the small bow detail on the front, inspired by the bow at the waist of this dress. Anderson also cleverly arranged the metal eyelets on the handbag into an "O" shape, echoing the "Dior" lettering inside the bag, injecting the handbag with a modern feel and a distinctive personal style. This handbag features a single handle and an envelope-like folded shape. The flap folds inwards. It comes in two sizes and in a variety of refreshing colours, from light pink and light brown to mint green, giving it an elegant yet refreshing feel.

Five of Spring/Summer 2026's Hottest Designer Bags

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