The Four Handbag Trends You Need to Know About

By Suzanne Singer
June 24, 2011

Spring's four most important handbag trends can carry you (and your stuff) from beach to beer hall, desk to dinner, work to weekend...

Mini

Givency, D&G, Armani

Givenchy (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Dolce & Gabbana (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images), Giorgio Armani (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)

“Ditch all the makeup and keep it to the essentials—keys, money, and phone. It’s a lot sexier when a girl isn’t carrying around a bag full of tricks," said Alexander Wang, whose line of small leather goods launched exclusively on eBay Fashion Vault last week. Indeed, the mini may just be this season's hottest take on the handbag. Dolce & Gabbana's white cross-body mini bag featured an intricate gold coin chain strap that was reminiscent of a necklace. Givenchy's take, though in a similar silhouette was pure sexy goth. Giorgio Armani offered an alternative to the clutch, with a top-handle mini paired with a black tie evening gown. And Wang himself shows almost wallet-size bags in luxurious leathers and pony.

Roll over items for details

Gucci Mini Satin Evening Bag

(buy it now price, $175)

Quilted Chanel Mini Bag

Mini Shoulder Bag

(buy it now price, $16.99)

The Four Handbag Trends You Need to Know About

left to right:

Gucci Mini Satin Evening Bag: Mini bags are a no-brainer for evening. A vintage style handbag like this provides serious fashion points.

Quilted Chanel Mini Bag : A quilted leather mini cross-body bag with a gold chain strap will add feminine charms to anything, even the most boyish outfit.

Mini Shoulder Bag: This hardware-heavy style offers both a top-handle and a cross-body strap. And at $16.99, the price is right.

Bucket

Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marni (photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images), Salvatore Ferragamo (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Marc by Marc Jacobs (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

A laid-back shape that has become increasingly more popular handbag in recent seasons, the bucket bag comes in multiple variations, from structured to slouchy and long strap to short. At Marni, a woven white and brown leather bucket bag looked sophisticated paired with a mini dress and flat sandals. At Salvatore Ferragamo, a tan leather version felt bohemian; while at Marc by Marc Jacobs, designer Marc Jacobs showed a structured bucket bag with a drawstring closure usually seen on more slouchy styles.

New Alla Leather Bucket Bag
(buy it now price, $99.99)

Leather Drawstring Bucket Bag
(buy it now price, $179.99)

New J. Crew Leather Bucket Bag
(buy it now price, $119)

left to right:

New Alla Leather Bucket Bag: A bucket bag in a bright shade adds punch to any ensemble. Red feels right for spring straight into fall.

Leather Drawstring Bucket Bag: Minimal gold hardware give this black drawstring bucket bag an extra-luxe feel.

New J. Crew Leather Bucket Bag: Carry this bag over your shoulder or across your body—and fill it with work essentials or shades, sunscreen and the paper for a day in the park.

Attaché

Celine, Lanvin, Mulberry

Celine (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Lanvin (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images), Mulberry (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Traditionally known as the quintessential professional businessman’s bag, the attaché has finally crossed the fashion gender line. Case in point: several of today's most influential designers showed the briefcase in their spring collections. At Celine, Phoebe Philo gave the typically severe style a light and airy look. Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz took menswear for women to a whole new level with an updated business look coupled with this most conventional power bag; while at Mulberry, models carried the attaché in the brightest of look-at-me shades—cobalt blue.

New Briefcase Hand Bag

(buy it now price, $43.99)

New Leather Briefcase Bag

(buy it now price, $595)

New Briefcase Shoulder Bag

(buy it now price, $38.30)

left to right:

New Briefcase Hand Bag: Structured yet still feminine, this neutral-colored briefcase handbag will make anything you pair it with look professional.

New Briefcase Shoulder Bag: There’s no messing with a classic. A leather attaché is roomy enough for a laptop.

New Leather Briefcase Bag: Mix an unexpected and girly spring color like pink with an all business briefcase bag style.

Frame

Jason Wu, Marni, Jil Sander

Jason Wu (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images), Marni (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images), Jil Sander (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Over the last several seasons, oversize, shapeless handbags have given way to vintage-inspired, super ladylike frame silhouettes. With his debut handbag collection, Jason Wu sent models down the runway in refined strapless dresses with frame bags tucked under their arms. At always-cheeky Marni, designer Consuelo Castiglioni showed skinny frame bags with oversize wooden beads; while at Jil Sander, the look was predictably sleek.