I recently had the chance ask Fred Allard, creative director of Nine West, what to look for in a handbag this season. “For summer, you don’t want a bag that is too over-sized or has heavy hardware,” he says. “The best bags are multi-functional with handles and a shopper strap that crosses your body,” says Allard. “Yellow is the color of the season and metallic is still going strong,” he says. And you want lots of pockets, so you don’t lose time hunting for your keys, cell phone or lipstick.
Here are the 10 best handbags for summer.
1. Best Overall Handbag
Photo © Target
This Target satchel from Angie & Lola is a brilliant yellow with a detachable shoulder strap. It’s made of PVC plastic so you can take it everywhere from the office to a concert in the park to margaritas with the girls and not have to worry about spilling on it. The lining is a bright green and it has interior pockets to keep everything neat. Best of all—at $44.99, it's a steal!
2. Metallic Handbag
Photo © Nine West
This Nine West Metallic Slouchy Handbag meets all of Allard’s suggestions for a smart summer handbag: it has a convertible shoulder strap (not shown), isn’t so big you could fit a bowling ball in it and is in a dreamy copper-y gold metallic. It's versatile enough to match your suit for the office and your LBD on Saturday night.
3. Work to Weekend Handbag
Photo © Piperlime
This Hayden-Hartnett Ibiza Convertible Tote is roomy, without being overbearing, has a compartment for your laptop and has a removable shoulder strap. It’s top zip and two outer zip pockets make it a perfect carry on bag, too. Plus the plumm-y purple is seasonless.
4. Canvas Tote
Photo © J. Crew
This update on the classic boat bag is dressy enough to go to the office with you, thanks to the muted gray tone and leather handles. The J. Crew Canvas Boardwalk City Tote comes in four other colors and can also be monogrammed.
5. Running-Saturday-Errands Tote
Photo © Tory Burch
This Tory Burch Ribbon Tote is casual without being cutesy. The multi-colored ribbon will blend with nearly all your summer clothes. The bag is deep enough that it can hold your essentials and then some. Since it’s canvas, it can do double duty as your summer beach bag.
6. Colorful Handbag
Photo © Nordstrom
You’re not seeing things: The Longchamp Xlight Imprime Vertical Nylon Tote will add a splash of pixilated color to all your summer outfits. The vinyl bag has a top zip closure and blue polyester lining. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter.
7. Convertible Tote
Photo © Shopbop
We’re all doing our part to reduce plastic bag usage, but it can be hard to remember to bring along a reusable bag. This Marc by Marc Jacobs Locket Pocket Big Tote is so adorable, you’ll never want to leave home without it. From this handy rectangle, it unfolds into a 15"H x 21"L x 4.5"D bag. It’s ideal for leaving in the glove compartment of your car or stashing in your everyday bag!
8. Trendy Handbag
Photo © Limited Express
Fringe was all over the runways from Hermes in Paris to Diane Von Furstenberg in New York. This fringed Limited Express Suede Hobo bag is a quick and easy way to inject your wardrobe with the latest style.
9. Evening Bag
Photo © Coach
This long slim, vintage-inspired Amanda Clutch from Coach is the only evening bag you’ll need this summer. It’s a soft straw with a silver finish that will go beautifully with a white dress and a tan. The beaded strap leaves your hands free for holding a glass of bubbly.
10. Fantasy Handbag
Photo © Isabella Fiore
This Isabelle Fiore bag is leather and has gold hardware, so it goes against the earlier maxims of what you want in a summer handbag. But the Mexican-inspired embroidery is so fun and festive—and isn’t that what summer is all about?
