While the handbag is a quintessential accessory in any season of the year, this summer is an especially exciting time to enhance your wardrobe with the perfect piece — and, more than anything, it’s all about getting the perfect colour. Over at Harper’s Bazaar, fashion experts have outlined the biggest bag trends you can expect to see in Summer 2023. This includes not only everyday pieces like crafty, over-the-shoulder bags and crocheted totes, but also occasion-specific items like the weekender or statement bag. What’s more, it seems that the more colourful the bag, the more on-trend it is.
That being said, we’re here to say that it is, in fact, the white bag that is the must-have colour of the summer. In a sea of black, brown, and multi-colour handbags—timeless accessories, of course—there isn’t a more perfect way to stand out than opting for a white handbag. There also isn’t a more versatile colour than white. Whether you’re dressing up a pair of dark jeans with a clutch for an evening out, or you’re slinging a cross-body bag over your shoulder to dress down your printed trousers at the end of a workday, white is perfect for finding balance between high and low fashion.
In 2019, Chanel was leading the white bag trend with the Chanel 19, a modern flap bag that featured tri-coloured chains and leather. This summer, the brand is opting for a more mixed feel, and the white tweed mini flap bag is a great example of a handbag that simultaneously makes a statement and offers refined luxury. Pair it with a white tweed blazer for ultimate matching effect.
Tote bags are also expected to be a key item for fashion enthusiasts this summer—and for good reason. Totes are as functional as they are fashionable, with their naturally larger dimensions offering the ability to carry more, especially when you’re on the go, while also making a statement. A great example is the Fendi Sunshine Medium white leather shopper. With its gold finishings and tortoise-shell handles, this bag is optimal for a day out. It can be carried by hand or, with the accompanying strap, over the shoulder.
Another bag that is a staple in everyone’s closet is the crossbody. In recent times, over-the-shoulder, pouch-y casual styles have risen exponentially in popularity. This is no surprise when you consider the fact that the crossbody can be dressed up for a more sophisticated look without losing its coolness factor. Opt for a white crossbody, like AllSaints’ Half Moon Leather Crossbody Bag, and you’ll achieve the perfect balance between pristine and cool.
Ultimately, it’s no secret that a handbag can either be the right finishing touch to an outfit or it can ruin an entire look. The biggest hurdle when it comes to colourful, even multi-patterned, bags is making sure they don’t clash with what you’ve already put on. With a white handbag, however, no matter the occasion or outfit, you’ll find there’s very little risk of having to run back to the closet to change into a jacket, a shirt, a trouser, or a shoe. That’s why the white bag is the bag of the summer: it goes with everything.
Jericho Tadeo | Contributing Writer
