The fall/winter 2026 season was business as usual. There were only a handful of inaugural outings this time round, but sophomore shows from those appointed last season brought plenty of ideas to the fore, including an abundance of ready-to-wear and bag trends.
Vogue reports that top handles in various iterations, including this popular east-west shape, acted at props for the 15 models cast at Prada, each of whom wore four layered looks that transformed as they walked the runway. Elsewhere, the intentionally undone Amazona 18 bag, introduced at Loewe by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, was back once again in a swathe of new colourways and finishes.
Chanel also went bold with bags this season, exhibiting everything from supersized shoulder bags and siren-red croc-embossed companions to delicately-embroidered flap bags. The mood purveyed by Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent, however, was quite the opposite; delivered in the form of skinny envelopes clasped by models on his carpeted runway. These clutch wallets accompanied Vaccarello’s step-and-repeat of suits that comprised the opening eight looks–a nod to the 60th anniversary of the Le Smoking, one of the house’s most revolutionary contributions to the industry.
Super Shoulder Bags
Shoulder bags are traditionally quite small, able to hold just a few belongings, but there was a fresh crop of styles at the shows, scaled up ever-so-slightly. They still fit snugly on the shoulder, tucking easily under the arm, with more room for everyday items–some (from the likes of Chanel, Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta) could even hold a laptop.
New Clutch Era
Once upon a time, clutches were restricted to evening use, but recent seasons have changed that mindset. Look to the supple, pillowy pouches at Loewe, Bottega Veneta, and Stella McCartney, which would be just as fitting out on the town as they would on your morning commute.
All-Rounder Top-Handle
Top-handle bags bring an entirely different vibe to the act of carrying a bag, since they can only be grasped with one hand or slipped into the crook of an arm. No bother: you’ll want the profiles of the new bags from Hermès, Dior and Prada on full display. More rigid top-handles leaned into doctor bag territory with curved proportions (see Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler), while others, such as Jonathan Anderson’s playful Cigale, offered a new everyday silhouette, fitting for night and day.
