4 Designer Handbag Trends For Your Most Stylish Summer Yet

Carrying a bag in a bright tone is an easy and subtle way to add a summer-worthy splash of colour to an outfit. With the quiet luxury trend here to stay, a bag in a vibrant hue of red, pink or blue adds variety to the palette of elegant neutrals often seen in quiet luxury.

On display at Sotheby’s Salon is a Hermès Mini Kelly II 20 with palladium hardware and in Bluet Ostrich, a creamy periwinkle blue. With a textural pattern that resembles polka dots, this Mini Kelly epitomises summer fun.

For those wanting to add a softer pop of colour to their look, there is a Birkin 25 in matte alligator leather in Vert D’Eau, a delicious shade of pastel green. There is also a Chanel Pearl Crush flap bag with brushed gold hardware, in elegant ladylike pink.

Adding a red pop of colour to an outfit never fails to attract attention, whether it is a carefully chosen lip colour, a pair of shoes or a bag — especially if that bag is a Kelly Cut clutch bag in cherry red porosus crocodile leather, a surefire hero piece of any wardrobe.

Two Louis Vuitton designs present more adventurous options. The Louis Vuitton Blue Monogram designed by Virgil Abloh, in a shape reminiscent of the brand’s iconic travelling trunks, features a whimsical fluffy cloud “LV” logo overlaying the brand’s classic monogram in cerulean blue. And then there is the playful Louis Vuitton-emblazoned white and orange-coloured “paint can” made from cowhide leather and fabric, matched with a clean silver hardware handle and a pristine white leather strap.

Mini bags remain popular, with many luxury brands embracing the aesthetic. And with all of us holding on to our phones for easier access, a spacious bag is less of a concern. A miniature bag also comes with an insouciant sense of lighthearted freedom – perhaps the ultimate fashion statement when heading to brunch or evening drinks.

Constance points out that mini bags go well with the current resurgence of early 2000s fashion. From ballet flats by Miu Miu to cropped tops and cargo pants by Givenchy, the Y2K revival has gone from strength to strength since its official comeback in 2023.

Available at Sotheby’s Maison is a Hermès Mini Constance 18 made with Epsom leather in Mauve Sylvestre, a dusky bubblegum pink hue. There is also a Mini Kelly II 20 in Nata and Gris Asphalte, with gold hardware adding a shiny accent to the luxurious cream and soft grey combination.

At the other end of the colour spectrum, a metallic version of a Mini Constance 18 in shiny gold chèvre leather channels the party-ready glamour of the noughties. The famous H logo hardware on this Mini Constance is permabrass – a unique champagne-coloured blend of gold and palladium created by Hermès.

Clutch bags are another trend from Spring/Summer 2024 to watch out for, and Sotheby’s Maison includes several Hermès Kelly Pochettes – the most sought-after clutch model in the Hermès portfolio. One in a shiny porosus crocodile leather aptly named Bleu Electrique, allows the wearer to add a discreet dash of vibrant blue to their outfit. Another in ombre Salvator lizard leather features luxe shades of cream and brown.

“A clutch bag with a structured design, like a Kelly Pochette, is best styled with a loose-cut smart casual outfit, so that there is balance and variety in the overall look,” says Constance.

Classic bags stand the test of fashion time for a reason: they hold their own, no matter the season or trend in style. The pinnacle of a classic bag is no doubt a Hermès Birkin – a bag that is sought after not just for its timeless style but also for its high quality make and likelihood to appreciate in value.

“When I’m looking for a luxury bag to add to my collection, one of the things I will consider is whether it will increase in value,” says Constance.

“To me, if the brand were able to perfect these details, it shows that they devoted time and resources to the production of the bag.”

At Sotheby’s Maison is a Birkin that tops the wishlist of every Hermès collector – a Diamond Birkin 30 in black porosus crocodile, with the glossy leather providing the perfect contrast to the 18K white gold hardware set with diamonds.

And while a Birkin will always be a classic, diamond details give a gentle nod to the current appetite for bags embellished with shiny metal elements such as chains, links and charms.

Any bag designed to depict snow on the Himalayas using a canvas of crocodile leather is destined for icon status and the Himalaya Birkin lives up to its name. Available for purchase at Sotheby’s Maison is a Himalaya Birkin 25 in snowy white matte niloticus crocodile leather, with palladium hardware.

Whether you want a bag that is a trusty classic that you can rely on, season after season, or a bag to update and add a fashion-forward accent to some of your outfits, the most important thing is to choose one that speaks to your personal style.

“It is important to know what you like and what your style is, and from that point you can start considering the options,” says Constance.