It’s lovely to think of all the pretty, bright hues we’ll wear during warm weather, especially when we’re waiting out the doldrums of winter, but in reality, that’s not how a lot of women dress. I’m among that group; I’d put my collection of black sundresses up against anyone’s, and warm weather rarely has a significant impact on the colors that appear on my clothing or accessories. While I can appreciate brights or pastels for others, my spring and summer bags tend to be the same color as everything else in my closet: black. And I’m far from alone.
Designers have always understood this phenomenon on a certain level; they all produce black leather all year. Lately, though, it seems as though some of them have picked up on the seasonless love for black bags in a more nuanced way, with an increasing number of dark straw and woven bags dotting the summer market.
Of course, a bag can still be black leather (or even black suede) and still feel like a summer bag, because a summer bag is a little bit like obscenity—you know it when you see it. Below, we’ve collected 20 options that we think fit the bill, including some options that mix significant black with other colors, in case you’re looking to branch out (but not too much).
Alaïa Laser Cut Tote
$2,910 via Net-a-Porter
Alexander Wang Roxy Mini Espadrille Tote
$495 via Shopbop
Balenciaga Classic Reporter XS Bag
$1,090 via Net-a-Porter
Caterina Bertini Handheld Tote
$150 via Shopbop
Catzorange Woven Cotton Bucket Bag
$220 via Net-a-Porter
Clare V Alice Totee
$225 via Shopbop
Clare V Desert Stripe Midi Sac Bag
$325 via Shopbop
Cuero & Mor Perla Shoulder Bag
$735 via Shopbop
Cult Gaia Ark Bag
$298 via Shopbop
Fendi Kan I Bag
$2,750 via Nordstrom
Isabel Marant Asli Bag
$675 via Net-a-Porter
Kate Spade Mini Backpack
$126 via Shopbop
Loeffler Randall Grosgrain Tote
$395 via Net-a-Porter
Maison Boinet Convertible Backpack
$700 via Shopbop
Muun Gilbert Micro Tote
$495 via Shopbop
Prada New Vela Shoulder Bag
$1,940 via Net-a-Porter
Proenza Schouler Mini Hex Tote
$795 via Nordstrom
Truss Small Handwoven Tote
$195 via Shopbop
Ulla Johnson Amyris Mini Wicker Tote
$345 via Shopbop
Welden Sonder Tote
$595 via Nordstrom
