Trending Now: The Cocktail Bag
From petite top-handle totes to drawstring pouches and color-pop clutches, cocktail bags are no longer the reserve of special occasions and evenings out – they’re a daytime must-have, too, says COLLEEN ROSS. Here, we round up the chicest new-season styles to add to your everyday rotation now
Generally speaking, the prettiest bags in our wardrobes are the ones reserved for special occasions – be it a wedding, a black-tie event or dinner party. But not anymore. Cocktail bags – that is, petite top-handle totes, drawstring pouches and clutches – have officially become the style crowd’s favorite way to elevate their looks – from off-duty denim to tailoring. Crafted from tactile materials such as satin, velvet and suede, this season’s standout bags bring evening elegance to everyday outfits. Nail the trend in beautifully ornate designs that feel like rare vintage finds or clean, minimal shapes that offer more of a subtle nod.
Soft touch
At Milan Fashion Week, fashion editor Marta Oldrini and Alexa Chung were both spotted clutching drawstring satin pouches. While they opted to dress theirs up with skirts and heels, it’s a style that would look just as chic paired with a long-sleeved tee and jeans on weekends. Follow their lead by adding Les Vacances D’Irina’s ‘The Little Velvet Sack’ to your fall/winter repertoire. Alternatively, pick up either Valesque’s ‘Corset’ bag in green crushed-velvet or Chloé’s studded ‘Marcie Foulard’ style if you’d prefer one you can carry on your shoulder.
CHLOÉMarcie Foulard studded tasseled velvet shoulder bag
VALESQUECorset leather-trimmed crushed-velvet shoulder bag
SOPHIE BUHAITeardrop embellished satin pouch
LES VACANCES D'IRINAThe Little Velvet Sack cotton pouch
Vintage opulence
Ornate textures and embellishments covered everything from dresses to bags on the fall/winter ’26 runways, evoking the glamour and opulence of a bygone era. Valentino Garavani’s fringed velvet bag leads the trend for drawstring pouches that resemble reticules – a style first popularized in the late 18th century to replace detachable pockets concealed under dresses and later revived in the ’20s, when they were carried to parties by Bright Young Things. The chicest way to wear them now? With a silk shirt, jeans and ballet flats, for dinner in town, or a tailored suit for work. Other vintage-inspired styles include Dries Van Noten’s top-handle bag in metallic floral-jacquard and Zimmermann’s ‘Cloud 91’ clutch, which is intricately detailed with swan embroidery and semi-precious beads.
DRIES VAN NOTENLeather-trimmed metallic floral-jacquard top-handle bag
ZIMMERMANNCloud 91 Peacock small embellished embroidered leather-trimmed velvet clutch
VALENTINO GARAVANISequin and bead-embellished fringed velvet drawstring shoulder bag
ERDEMBloom medium bead-embellished embroidered leather clutch
Clutch and go
Clutches tend to be the most underused bags in our wardrobes, often only ever used a handful of times a year rather than every day. But this season’s cohort deserve more than just the occasional moment in the spotlight. Take Bottega Veneta’s ‘Lauren 1980’ clutch from our NET SUSTAIN edit, which is beautifully crafted from Intrecciato leather in a slouchy shape and has ample space inside for everyday essentials. Plus, it comes with a chain strap, so you can carry it hands-free on your commute. Elsewhere, Khaite’s ‘Audrey’ bag is crafted from smooth calf hair and printed with graphic polka dots that will add texture and interest to workweek tailoring.
BOTTEGA VENETALauren 1980 Intrecciato leather clutch
KHAITEAudrey polka-dot calf hair clutch
TOM FORDArc velvet clutch
TOTEMET-Lock textured-leather clutch
Color chemistry
We’ve talked a lot about pops of color recently, but if eye-catching knits and denim aren’t for you, then one of this season’s vibrant bags is the way to go. Alaïa’s cult ‘Le Coeur’ style returns in purple – aka the color of the season – to lead the pack. It will look particularly chic styled with a red shirt or pants. Speaking of red, Khaite’s ‘Olivia’ bag is as versatile as any neutral and a great pairing for blue shirts and denim. Valentino Garavani’s rockstud-embellished style, meanwhile, comes in burnt-orange quilted leather that will go with all your favorite day and evening outfits.
VALENTINO GARAVANISpike Small studded quilted leather shoulder bag
KHAITEOlivia mini suede top-handle bag
FANEMie patent leather shoulder bag
ALAÏALe Coeur suede and leather shoulder bag
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