With fashion month Fall 2026 officially behind us, it’s time for our twice-yearly chat on which bag trends were the most ubiquitous on the runways this past season.
Through a microlens, Fashion Month shows us where each of our favorite brands is headed for the coming season, and with this season being a second showing for many of fashion’s next-gen, it also meant the cementing of visions for Maisons like Loewe, Dior, Chanel, and more.
From a macro perspective, when we’re looking at Fashion Month as a whole, we’re given a good look at the direction of the industry as a whole for the coming season. What will we see less of? What will we see more of? Which trends will be everywhere in the coming months?
Today, we’re taking one final look at the Fall 2026 runway shows to bring you five of the biggest trends we spotted on the runways. We looked at both collections we reviewed here in more detail on-site, and those we didn’t cover fully. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Coming Undone
It was relaxed vibes all around this season, with brands like Fendi, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, and more reminding us that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. The cool-girl way to carry a bag is, apparently, open.
At Chanel models carried Classic Flaps worn open, while at Balenciaga, the Hourglass Bag is reimagined as the HG Avenue, a softer, semi-structured play on the classic Hourglass bag. Designed to be worn with the handles interlaced, or with the top handle open and relaxed.
Cool Crocs
Exotic skins, both real and faux, have been one of the biggest handbag trends we’ve seen across the board in the last couple of seasons. For the Fall 2026 season, cool crocs reigned, in both neutral hues and bold colors alike.
At Chanel, embossed crocs were seen on new icons like Matthieu Blazy’s Maxi Flap, while at Prada classics like the Galleria and new icons like the Bonnie and the Passage were given an exotic spin.
Fab Furs
One of the biggest trends of the entire season was fur. Furry accents on bags popped up everywhere from flap bags at Fendi and Chanel to boho bags at Chloé and Miu Miu. This isn’t surprising considering fur’s recent return to the runways in recent seasons.
Stud Love
Did you hear 2016 is back? Studs, which were very prominent in the 2010s, are making a comeback. We’ve seen them slowly making a comeback, and they made a small return to the runway this season. At Hermès, it was all in the details, like studded straps on mini versions of its icons, while at Miu Miu, the studs were seen on signifiers like the Arcadie and new bags alike.
Clutch It
‘Tis the season of the clutch! Cool clutches were seen throughout the month in every variation possible. From elongated east-west clutches to frame clutches, and more, move over pouches, hello clutches.
I thought that black Louis Vuitton near the top sagging open was Coach, lol. I don’t like nor understand having your bag be open.
I actually like this LV bag.
These “open” bags look forced.
The blue of the Hermes 💙
Yes, Hermes has beautiful colors.
Just leave ur bags closed.
If the open bag trend makes it off the runway, pickpockets everywhere will be celebrating.
Nothing interesting here