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New York style is famous for blending the elevated and the edgy. At New York Fashion Week, you can see the classic mix of Parisian designer worship and individualistic, artful streetwear which predicates New York’s sartorial reputation.
The city’s diversity breeds a culture of creativity with clothing that can speak to trends yet to hit other parts of the world. This is particularly clear in accessories—namely, handbags.
While some bag trends—like, satin mini bags—endure, others—like, hobo-style bags—are inching further down the hit list. However, as trite as it may sound (though, appropriately ‘New York’), the overarching handbag trend was individuality.
Colours, textures, size and shape were often bold and statement-making. Even when bags were ‘minimal’ in style, they were ‘maximum’ in visual appeal.
While some of this trend can be narrowed to the occasion (fashion week attendees are hardly lugging around their laptop bags and office totes), it still speaks to a playfulness sweeping the industry.
From Chanel’s latest flap bag to Miu Miu-led bowlers, these are the New York handbag trends that will inform our accessories closets in 2027.
Teeny-Tiny Totes
Small bags will remain popular in 2027, but the update is in teeny-tiny top-handle totes. The trend is towards taking classic, large tote designs and shrinking them down to a mini version. Although slimline shoulder bags and east-west designs are still in fashion, ideally, your small bag in 2027 should be portable in one hand. If you want the best of both worlds, consider a convertible option, like Kate Spade’s Duo Mini Bag.
KATE SPADE
Duo Mini Bag
CULT GAIA
Nova Bag
JW PEI
Hana Mini Faux Suede Tote Bag
NINE WEST
Gem Mini Tote
Bowling Bags Are Back
Top-handle bowling bags are huge in New York, with big and small styles dominating the streets of fashion week. The trend is led by Miu Miu’s Vivant bag, which made an appearance at fashion week in spring-summer 2026. Now, bowling bags and sculptural, cylindrical top-handle bags are everywhere, and I suspect we’ll see more of them throughout fashion month.
MIU MIU
Vivant
MANSUR GAVRIEL
Large Helios
LOUENHIDE
Eleanor Shoulder Bag
COS
Montmartre Bowling Bag
Eyes On The Chanel Flap Bag
Chanel is leading the bag game in 2026-27, with every A-lister and It Girl sporting a version of their flap bag. However, the classic bag’s 2027 iterations are notably slouchier and more relaxed, with a particular emphasis on quilted suede. And if the aforementioned mini tote trend is about taking traditionally large styles and downsizing them, Chanel’s SS26 Maxi Flap bag takes their typically slight shoulder bag, and magnifies it. Playing with scale in our accessories is very on-trend, and giant, slouchy bag styles are more than just a fad.
CHANEL
Maxi Flap Bag
COACH
Etta Flap Shoulder Bag
TRENERY
Orlae Shoulder Bag
YU MEI
Pania Flap Bag
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