The Must-Have Bags Cool Girls Are Wearing This Summer

No wardrobe is complete without a Balenciaga City bag. It has taken over every major fashion capital (apologies to everyone who was ahead of the trend!) and for good reason. This is the bag for every and any occasion.

You can pair it with a delicate slip dress and woven flats like Celine, letting the distressed tan leather add a cool contrast to a romantic look. Or, go full streetwear mode like Bella with baggy embroidered jeans, an Adidas zip-up, and a vibrant bubblegum-pink version loaded up with charms, plushies, and silver hardware. Whatever way you choose to style it—my personal opinion is that the more lived-in it looks, the better.

An oversized bag doesn't just make a statement—it’s also a non-negotiable survival tool when you’re running around the city all day. Like so many girls working in fashion, my schedule takes me straight from work to the gym, to an event, and maybe even out to dinner after. A huge, luxurious bag is much more fashionable than lugging around a mini purse alongside a random canvas tote like so many do.

Eve pairs a massive, slouchy black leather tote with a sleek, monochromatic all-black outfit—which was all the inspiration I needed to invest in a big work bag. Meanwhile, Becca carries a large furry hide shoulder bag with rich red accents. It’s another high-end statement piece that instantly pulls her Y2K jorts-and-corset look together as she strolls around SoHo. 

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum from the oversized carryall, we have the micro-mini bag. While it might lean a little impractical on paper, as long as it fits my lip gloss and digi-cam, I'm sold! There is no denying that it is one of the cutest accessories you can carry.

Asma pairs a tiny, sculptural silver bag with a sweeping, dramatic light-blue denim gown. I love opting for smaller accessories when the main outfit is designed to steal the spotlight. Deanna also styles a full double-denim look, pairing her jean corset set with an orange snake-print mini purse that ties in seamlessly with her matching orange heels.

Animal prints are dominating ready-to-wear right now, but my absolute favorite way to wear the trend is through a handbag. It brings an instant dose of fun to any look.

You can lean into structured utility like Nic, who styles a crisp olive vest and pinstripe trousers with a graphic zebra-print crescent bag. Or, go for a whimsical, fairy-core aesthetic like Lorena by pairing a sweet mint-green lace co-ord set with a pink snakeskin shoulder bag—complete with a plushie charm dangling off the strap.

Bold, heavy hardware bags were a massive hit in the early 2000s, and they have officially made a comeback. Whether you consider yourself a silver or a gold girl, there are endless options featuring chunky buckles, rings, and oversized grommets.

Eva styles a vintage studded Guess bag with a mint jacket, camo shorts, and brown statement boots—she is the perfect example of how unexpected pairings can come together to create a Pinterest worthy outfit. Petra sits at an outdoor café in Paris in a romantic ruffled top and camo shorts, reaching for her classic denim Louis Vuitton monogram purse complete with gold lock hardware. They both show such fresh ways to style camo shorts with heavy-metal hardware. I’m personally obsessed with this trend and have been scouring eBay and Depop for the perfect vintage grommet bag. 

Forget Polka Dots , bold colored stripes is the print of the summer. It’s much more versatile and way less oversatuirated. Wearing a striped bag is the easiest way to make a neutral outfit pop and my favorite way to wear the trend.

Forget polka dots—bold, colorful stripes are the print of the summer. They’re way less oversaturated, far more dynamic, and have that rare ability to make a simple neutral outfit stand out. Our favorite way to wear the trend? A statement handbag. It’s the perfect bag for brunch with the girls, coffee with a co-worker, or shopping around West Village.

Annae gives us a look into high-fashion Parisian street style, pairing a bold color-blocked Vivienne Westwood purse with grey Bermuda shorts, silver heels, and a fringe belt hanging off her waist. On the other hand, Eliza pairs black parachute pants, studded shoes, and a simple white tank with a giant, colorful striped crochet tote. It’s solid proof that a bright, tactile woven tote belongs on the sidewalks of Paris just as much as it does on a beach day.

If there’s one rule for summer styling, it’s that your bag should never be an afterthought. Seeing how these girls put their looks together is inspiring me to dump my bag at the end of every night and rotate in a fresh one every day this week. Whether you're reaching for bold stripes, heavy-metal grommets, or a micro bag that barely holds your lip gloss, take this as your sign to let your handbag steal the spotlight.