The bag refresh

Make no mistake, a handbag is a proverbial cherry atop any great outfit. The design you choose - small or large, statement or sleek - has the power to transform or uplift the rest of your clothes. To really enhance one's wardrobe, a full selection of purses, totes, and clutches is needed, and the Spring/Summer 2023 runway bag trends are a reflection of that fact. We have gathered our favorite trends from the SS 23 runway.

THE BIG BAG
Maximalists can sigh a breath of relief; the season's bags have plenty of room for packing all your day-to-day staples. Note that these are classic handbag silhouettes with oversized proportions to allow maximum packing.

HEAVY METAL
Get your shine on. The spring designers are giving evening-ready purses a sleek and shiny twist. Gold was a favorite on the Spring/Summer runway for many brands, so consider taking your look to 24 karats.

TOUCHABLE TEXTURE
Try to resist running your hand through the soft shearling textures that appeared at some of the season’s biggest shows. The bags may not fit into the practical category when it comes to carryalls, but that’s just the point: Not all purses need to be entirely about function. With a fuzzy clutch in hand, you can embrace the aesthetic of fashion for fashion’s sake.

HEAVY METAL
Get your shine on. This spring designers are giving evening-ready purses a sleek and shiny twist. Gold was a favorite for brands on the Spring/Season runway, so consider taking your look to 24 karats.

TO THE MOON
Soft, rounded shapes have steadily made their way back into the trend cycle over the last few seasons, and the moon bag has become a favorite shape for houses across all four fashion capitals. The top-handled shape with a crescent body works both for evenings out and as a polished office bag.

PLUSH LIKE A PILLOW
There were plush, squishy touches all over the catwalks, from typically quilt-heavy runways, but also in more unexpected places. If you’re always working to strike a balance in your style, contrast these options with a sharp suit.

BACK TO WORK
These bags mean business. Structured top-handle bags from some of fashion’s biggest names served as a reminder that an excellent work bag can make you feel powerful from the moment you grip it in your hand. These sleek, architectural carryalls fit the necessities (phone, wallet, keys), and may even have room for a commute read, too.