So What’s the Deal with All the Pompom and Tassel Bags This Spring?

I’m not sure exactly how pompom’s started to take over the world, but I’m pretty sure it happened at Coachella circa 2015 and was then beamed out to the world via Instagram. Even though I don’t have a Patient Zero to offer up, that particular social network was definitely where the trend percolated throughout 2016, and now that we’re firmly ensconced in 2017, The Brands have had a chance to catch up and offer us as many pompoms (and their older sisters, tassels) as our little social media accounts could desire.

It’s not hard to figure out why these kinds of adornments took off on a lifestyle-centric photo platform. Pompoms and tassels are usually brightly colors, and they offer texture, dimension and visual interest on everyday items that might otherwise not make good statement pieces. They also tend to be purely add-ons, which means they don’t obstruct the use of the bag in question, which is always a bonus for consumers looking to get inspired for a shopping trip.

Summer is the natural habitat for pompoms and tassels; they look most easily at home on woven straw bags and beach totes, plush and bright, ready to be taken to the beach. The adornments can work on more serious day bag, too, though. Below, we’ve picked out 20 of the most notable embellished bags of the season, from simple to maximal, ultra-casual to super sophisticated.

711 St. Barths Purse
$790 via Moda Operandi

Altuzarra Ghianda Flap Bag
$2,395 via Barneys

Boutique Mexico Petite Stella Tote
$78 via Anthropologie

Chloé Faye Tassel Bag
$2,990 via Neiman Marcus

Dolce & Gabbana Glam Vitello Bucket Bag
$1,995 via Neiman Marcus

Hillier Bartley Collar Tassel Bag
$1,033 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

JADEtribe 3 Pom Basket Tote
$142 via Saks

Kate Spade Lewis Way Pompom Tote
$298 via Nordstrom

Les Petits Joueurs Dalia Pompom Bucket Bag
$969 via LUISAVIAROMA

Loeffler Randall Pompom Crossbody Bag
$295 via Net-a-Porter

Mar y Sol Ibiza Tassel Tote
$139 via Nordstrom

Misa Marrakech Ciao Straw Tote
$103 via REVOLVE

Muzungu Sisters Sicilian Pompom Tote
$343 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

Mystique Pom Pom Tote
$187 via Shopbop

Nannacay Maldives Pom Pom Tote
$152 via Net-a-Porter

Rebecca Minkoff Mini Sofia Crossbody Bag
$95 via Rebecca Minkoff

Sophia Webster Claudie Shoulder Bag
$680 via Neiman Marcus

Sophie Anderson Akela Pompom Bucket Bag
$383 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

Tory Burch Gemini Link Mini Crossbody Bag
$495 via Tory Burch

Vince Camuto Neara Tassel Tote
$248 via Nordstrom