One of the biggest challenges I face as a beauty and fashion blogger is how do I showcase the last trends and styles without breaking the bank?
As many of you know, I’m making the conscious effort to be more selective with my buying habits to 1) reflect a more realistic budget and 2) slow down on consumer waste.
As much as I love shopping, your girl also really enjoys being debt free and I want to leave behind a better, cleaner world for my kids.
So what is a fashion girlie to do?
Shop your closet.
One thing that I have learned is that fashion is cyclical; meaning what was once in style will be in style again.
With trends moving so fast, plenty of people have pieces tucked away in the back of their closets that just need a little dusting off and sprucing up to feel on trend.
So for today’s blog, we’re going to be shopping our closet to explore the handbag trends for 2026.
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Table of Content
Learn to Identify Your Style
Shopping your closet becomes easier once you identify your personal style.
While this post is about trends, having your wardrobe be a reflection of you and not necessarily what’s popular or current will always work in your favor.
Trends can be fun to experiment with by helping you learn what you like and what’s not suited for you.
But they are the start of personal identity, not the end. Keep this in mind the next time you feel pressured to buy the newest trendy item.
If You Must Shop…
While I’m challenging you to just stick with what you got for this blog post, sometimes we just want to shop. And I’m not going to shame you for that.
I like to focus on harm reduction, so if you MUST shop, let focus on bag accessories that are going to bring personality and really switch up the whole feeling of the handbags we already own first.
I feel like bandeaus and scarfs are a great place to start for most people.You can pick up a pack from TJMaxx or from Amazon if you don’t already have some laying around in your closet.
Fun key chains and charms are also a great way to add some personality to your handbag without having to buy a whole new one–though again, check with what you already have first! sometimes you’d be surprised with what’s in your collection already–even with charms!
Chunky Chains and Straps
I wanted to give a special mention to chains and straps, because chains are actually trending once again.
From Chanel to Louis Vuitton, we see a ton of luxury brands taking similar silhouettes and just adding chunky metal or grommets to them to give them more edge.
So instead of buying a new bag, just get a few chains and see what you like.
Or you can even get a strap and add grommets to it–though I would avoid adding the grommets directly to the bag itself as this would damage your piece.
If you have an older bag, or a bag you’re willing to experiment with, you might want to try adding metal corner protectors to switch up the look.
I haven’t tried these myself though so proceed with caution if you do.
Jewel Tone Colors
It’s easy to get caught up in thinking we need a new bag just because we don’t have the exact color that is trending.
With trends currently favoring jewel tones after years of neutrals being in, it can be tempting to just go out and buy something new.
Here I would suggest buying something small to make the bag you already have work instead of buying a whole new bag.
For example, if you’re wanting a touch of royal blue but all you have is a black bag, try adding a blue scarf and wrapping the handles to give the bag a whole new look.
Bowling Bag
Blowing bag never really go out of style–that’s why the Speedy is so iconic.
With fashion trending more toward structure and top handles for 2026, I’m sure many of you can reach within your closet and grab a bowling style bag right now with your eyes closed.
Bowling bags pair really well with more causal styles, with those on the smaller end being great for nights out.
While the Speedy is my go to blowing style bag, the Coach Rowan is also a popular style that a lot of people collect.
Whichever style bowling bag you have, just remember that you don’t need a new one–get creative and work with what you already got/
Quick tip: You don’t need every single color! If your bag is a neutral color, try adding a charm or scarf that either matches or is the color opposite of what you’re wearing. This will make your outfit feel more intentional and cohesive.
Textures
Textures started trending again in late 2025 and I have been so here for this!
Textures add such a playful element to your outfit and adding textures to your handbag specifically is a great way to test waters without feel like you’re going overboard.
If you have been into handbags for a few years, you likely already have something textured in your closet!
A few years ago, raffia bags were inescapable, and now that style is coming back–just slightly elevated.
If you can pull a raffia bag out your closet, take a scarf to wrap around the handles and add a simple metal element like an oversize lock to bring new life to an older piece.
Under textures is going to be animals prints which are also going to be a big trend for 2026. But instead of being in the classic croc embossed or leopard prints, we’re seeing a lot of experimental textures like zebra, giraffe, or even motifs made to look like animal print.
Your older handbags are still great herein there’s no need to switch them out. But if you have to experiment and test the waters, lets practice harm reduction and go adding something to a bag we already have.
Buy animal texture handbag accessories on Amazon
Quick Tip: If you buy Dior Beauty, they often give away raffia clutch away in the spring with a minimum speed. This is where I got my clutch from and I’ve been using it for years.
Large and Structured
Large and structured bags are on trend for 2026 as more people find themselves back on the move.
If you just bought the Coach Empire 40, or have the Coach Rouge, or the Chloé Woody tote, then you already have this trend covered.
In fact, a lot of Coach’s and Micheal Kors’ classic styles that a lot of bag lovers already have will be prefect for this trend.
Bags like this are great for traveling as they hold a lot of items and are easy to sort through. I love my Empire 40 for all modes of travel and reach for it often still.
These type of totes are also great for those looking to have a cleaner look in the office or professional space as the strong lines bring a sense of order.
Quick Tip: If you have a larger bag like the Neverfull but want a structured look, purchase a bag insert for it. It will give you a more boxy look without buying a whole new bag.
This is the bag organizer I prefer to use. Shop 19 NeatThin here.
East-West Bags
The East-to-West trend has been making its comeback in all areas of fashion, including jewelry.
But it’s really been noticeable in handbags.
It’s been popular with evening styles clutches for some time now, but it’s starting to make its way to daily wear type of bags as well.
For me, this one was a bit harder to find in my closet. But I was able to pull out this vintage East-to-West Lady Dior .
When I think of more modern examples of East-to West bags, Y2K coded brands like Juicy, Van Dutch and Ed Hardy come to mind, So I would look to see if you have something like that.
Quick Tip: This one can be a challenge for a lot of closets. This is because East-to West styles fall in and out of favor frequently. I strongly suggest that if you don’t have this style in your closet already, then maybe skip this trend. If you must buy, then practice harm reduction and look for an East-to-West style you like at a local consignment or thrift shop where I’m sure you’ll find something.
Really test the waters here first though and remember that we’re trying to find forever pieces, not bags for the moment.
Top Handles
Top handle bag are in style like they never left!
Top handles feel very chic and elegant as carrying one likely means you’re not going to be using your hands much.
A lot of the popular cross body totes from 2022-2024 like the Marc Jacobs everyday tote mini’s were actually top handles with straps added.
Simply move or tuck the straps in and you have a functional bag that works with this trend without having a buy a new one.
Quick Tip: Ya’ll, I know the Tiffany Heart Bag is trending. I’ve own this bag for about 3 years or so and I use it A LOT lol. But don’t just buy it because it’s now $299. Functionally this bag is no different than the Marc Jacobs Everyday tote and not too dissimilar from the coach heart shaped bag.
Final Thoughts
These trends are designed to make you buy.
And while I have nothing against shopping (clearly), the pressure to feel like you have to buy to stay on trend can weight on a lot of people. We all want to feel fashionable and included.
If you shop with intention and hold on to what you like, you will likely always have at least a few items that are on ‘trend’.
But beyond that, you’ll always have something that you enjoy wearing.
I hope this blog post helped you to learn how to shop your closet.
For 2026, I plan on being even more intentional with shopping my closet first and repeating outfits before thrifting–all while challenging myself to buy new as little as possible.
Will you be shopping your closets more this year? I would love to hear what you’ve been rediscovering! Let me know down below your favorite thing you’ve found in your closet lately.
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Until next time,
