If money were no object, my dream summer bag would be the padded leather Bottega Veneta ‘Cassette’ in green* with a chunky gold chain strap. Considering that my favorite style hack is a combination of easy seasonal staples + an interesting bag/shoe that does all the work, this statement stunner would be the summer perfect arm candy.
Please admire her in all her puffy, quilted glory and imagine her paired with a casual t-shirt and jeans, an easy linen blazer, colorful separates, or a summery slip dress…
I mean.
Alas, a $4000 bag and I aren’t destined to be together. But there are so many great statement summer bags on the market for every budget! Seasonal bag trends I’m loving right now: all the ice cream colors; Y2K throwback styles like baguettes and tiny shoulder bags that sit right under your armpit and only fit the essentials; vintage-inspired wicker/cane basket bags; and pieces with interesting details like sculptural design elements or unique hardware.
If any of that sounds up your street, I rounded up some recommendations below. If you want to score something on the cheap, or invest in a piece for the season, I have you covered!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links denoted by a ‘*’. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase from these links.
Save
If you want an on-trend bag to get you through the season with minimum spending: This mini vegan leather shoulder bag* on Amazon is a #1 best seller and will only set you back $20. (I’d go for the black, blush pink, or black zebra*; just click the images below and they’ll take you right to the Amazon link.)
Hot tip: early-aughts styles are back in a big way. If you’re a fellow elder millennial that curses herself for getting rid of all her bags from high school/college, you may have luck searching the secondhand market for great originals for a steal! Check out your local consignment/thrift shops, or search Depop or Poshmark. Try search terms like ‘baguette bag’, ‘Y2K purse’, or ‘mini shoulder bag’.
Spend
Coach is in the midst of a big brand revival right now, and I have a major crush on their latest designs. They nod to the brand’s classic archival styles of the 70s, 90s, and early aughts, but with cool updates. Like fresh new colors, Bottega-inspired puffy leather, and minimal branding. (I love the iconic ‘C’ on the closure of the sellout Tabby shoulder bag*.)
Splurge
My #1 splurge pick is The Kooples Emily bag* in a summery shade of lilac or yellow. It’s a cult-favorite classic satchel that comes in a variety of modern colors and textures. This bag lives on my wardrobe wish list, but I can’t bring myself to pay full price for it. I I search Poshmark all the time for new or gently used Emilys, and I’m determined to scoop one up for a major discount someday soon.
Shop more of my favorite picks below! Just click on any of the images to take you directly to each bag. If you see something you like but want to wait for a price drop, tap the heart and Shopstyle will create a sale alert for you!
