Gather around, friends! It’s time to have a frank conversation about what makes a handbag a worthwhile investment. For some people, the thought of buying a purse that’s not as practical as their everyday handbag is simply unbearable—period. Others believe that the “value” of such an accessory depends directly on whether the tag inside it increases in value over time. While both of these points of view are true, there’s a more important consideration: emotion.
While we’re the first to admit that we love neutral colored handbags just like the next fashionista, they’re still not enough to elicit that emotional response (no hate on Messenger). But you know what makes us feel all that? Color. Don’t get us wrong — there’s always a reason to wear our black handbags! However, if you’re looking for ways to jazz up the basics in your closet (on a budget), there’s no better way to do it than with a brightly colored tote. Take it from us: Adding a little color to your closet can be a little hit of dopamine. It’s the perfect way to add a little spring flair to the pieces you already own without having to put in a whole lot of effort.
But if the thought of anything other than a black bag makes you panic, take a deep breath. We don’t want you to start consciously parting with black bags without inspiration (yet).
That’s why we’ve scoured hundreds of runway collections to help you decide which colors are not only trending, but also worth investing in. After hours of research, we’ve identified eight top bag color trends for spring 2025, chosen for their versatility, wearability, affordability, and popularity.
Whether you’re a minimalist or an extreme sports fan, you’re sure to find a popular bag color that will evoke a positive emotional response.
If the thought of ‘embracing the rainbow’ gives you goosebumps, consider a colour trend we’re calling ‘Midnight Blue’ – a very moody navy blue that, while not pitch black, evokes a sense of drama on a stormy night.
We’ll be the first to admit that navy isn’t the most “exciting” color to hit the market, but it does feel fairly “new” to those who’ve never considered black as an acceptable alternative. This is especially true as navy is slowly becoming more popular, a shift that can be traced back to last fall’s collections.
And yet, critics might ask: what’s so exciting about navy? Not only is it one of the easiest colors to wear on a daily basis, but it can elevate even the most basic bag. Can you give me an example? Spring/Summer 2025 fashion shows. From a sleek navy suede crossbody bag to an inky blue woven leather tote and a glossy patent structured crossbody (see the spring shows at Boss, Ulla Johnson, and The Attico), this season proved that a navy bag can be as captivating as looking at the stars.
You may remember that less than two years ago, one of the hottest colors in fashion was pink. Pink’s popularity at the time could be attributed (or blamed, depending on your preference) to two major cultural events: the energy of Pierpaolo Piccioli’s fall/winter 2023 collection for Valentino and the box office hit Barbie. So it’s only natural that as the season progresses, we’ll see the color soften and transition into a more muted version: rose pink. But make no mistake—this trend isn’t simply a derivative of its powerful predecessor. Instead, it exudes a more subdued energy, taking inspiration from “softer” explorations of femininity—most notably the ballet moves that dominate social media.
Perhaps one of the best examples of the shade’s connection to ballet came from Salvatore Ferragamo’s spring collection, which saw models dancing down the runway in cropped wrap tops, skinny leggings, strappy sandals, and light pink handbags. Of course, not all designers took such a literal approach, but the overall focus seemed to be on using the hue in a more “elegant” way than in previous seasons. Honestly, we can’t think of a better way to rekindle people’s love for pink than with a lighter shade in the form of a handbag—it’s like dipping your toe in the color without wearing a pointed-toe shoe.
Hot Topic: Being picky about food is like being picky about color—you’re stubborn about your tastes, period! Expanding your palette takes time, patience, and a little exposure therapy. Luckily, we’re pretty sure there’s one color trend this season that even the pickiest of us will find easy on the eyes: cream. It’s a combination of buttery yellow and fresh cream, the colors that have dominated the past few seasons.
While this shade may seem “plain” compared to other color trends, the key to making it more interesting lies in two things: creative styling and the bag styles themselves. Examples of the latter included the dumpling-shaped drawstring bags at Zimmermann’s spring show and the cream croissant clutches at Fendi’s spring show — proof that an interesting silhouette can make such a “boring” color look delicious. Meanwhile, at Bottega Veneta, the brand demonstrated how pairing a small cream bag with a larger (or bolder) bag can make a look even more sophisticated.
Whoever said that you need to step outside the ordinary to “try” something new clearly hasn’t seen the Spring/Summer 2025 collections.
No season has as many fashion cliches as spring. Floral prints, flowing dresses, strappy sandals… is there any more? However, some trends, despite their outdated relevance, remain so inevitable that there is no point in ignoring them – a prime example is pastel colors.
Like it or not, we always see soft pinks, blues, greens, yellows, and purples blooming like flowers in the spring. However, we think lilac is one of the hottest colors of recent times. Unlike previous trends that relied solely on lavender, this season designers have taken the lilac shade into innovative territory — especially in bags.
For example, a classic framed tote is covered in hand-drawn illustrations, adding a touch of avant-garde to the “serious” colors of the Coach collection. Meanwhile, at Versace, lilac has taken on a cool tone thanks to unique bag shapes, like a cosmetic bag adorned with the brand’s name in gold letters.
But it’s not just the small design details that make this color stand out this season. Gucci proved that the best way to make a lilac bag stand out is to pair it with something (or someone) completely unexpected. Every look on the spring menswear show featured a lilac bag, challenging gender norms around how men carry bags.
If that doesn’t prove that this shade of purple is a stereotype-breaker, nothing will.
The best thing about a new season is that it gives you the opportunity to start something new, and this is especially true in the spring. Warmer weather may require you to completely update your wardrobe, but that doesn’t mean you have to change everything, at least when it comes to color.
For those who have trouble adjusting to change, moving away from the dark colors popular during the winter months can be stressful. Luckily, this color trend is here to stay: the blank slate (our fancy way of saying light gray). We first saw the color make a comeback early last year when the fall collection debuted. Since then, the hue has continued to evolve in spring collections, ranging from smoky to slate to steel.
At the moment, perhaps the most exciting development in this once “boring” color is the much-coveted designer bag. We’ve seen a variety of trendy bag styles in light gray, from iconic designer bags like Loewe’s Puzzle Bag to more avant-garde styles like Alexander McQueen’s recently released T-Bar sling bag, as well as modern takes on the classic bowler hat shape like Khaite’s Cate Tote.
However, there are plenty of ways to welcome spring in your own way. Whatever fears you may have had about ditching a dark color palette are now much easier to accept.
Let’s be clear: If you thought all of our predictions for this spring’s biggest bag color trends were predictable or pragmatic, think again. It wouldn’t be a story about bright colors without at least one option designed to make people who don’t like the color uncomfortable—and this season, mustard yellow is that role.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the popularity of pale yellow over the past few seasons. However, the spring 2025 runways marked a turning point for taste buds, as the color palette shifted from buttery to mustard. Some might credit the success of Kendrick Lamar’s “TV Off,” which had the internet screaming “mustard” for weeks, but that wouldn’t take into account all the work designers have done to make this so-called “bold” hue more accessible to everyday wear.
One of the main ways to make this bright yellow more accessible is through what we call a “sauce” approach to style, which means the color is served not as a main course but as a garnish added after the fact, usually through accessories.
For example, Prada’s spring collection paired a white ruched dress with a bright mustard yellow oversized bag, adding just the right amount of interest to an otherwise simple look. Meanwhile, at Loewe, luxury became more casual with the addition of mustard (specifically, a navy polo pencil skirt trimmed with white feathers and accessorized with a mustard bag).
While Prada and Loewe used color to create a bold contrast, Jacquemus’ spring collection leaned into food-related themes and left us wanting more. After all, who wouldn’t want to wear an organza blouse and banana-print pencil skirt paired with woven leather pumps and a mustard-framed clutch?
Is it pragmatic? No. Is it predictable? Maybe. But as Lamar said, “Someone’s gotta do it!” We need someone to step up and represent our collective color for spring, and that’s exactly the designer who chose mustard yellow.
Mustard yellow doesn’t seem to be the only color trend inspired by Spotify’s year-end Wrapped playlist. Any doubts about the enduring cultural impact of Charli XCX’s breakout album Brat can be put to rest—at least in terms of the vibrant chartreuse hues that were featured throughout the spring 2025 collection.
While the initial rise of Goblin green may have coincided with the album’s rapid rise up the Billboard charts, it’s clear that the color has become a universally beloved icon. But make no mistake—you don’t have to be gooey green to embody the “little devil” aesthetic. Several brands are proving that even a little green (preferably in the form of a handbag) can bring out the party girl in you.
For example, at Gucci’s spring show, the signature color was applied to every conceivable item, including the iconic Jackie shoulder bag. While Gucci proved that the color can be easily paired with almost anything, Erdem showed how to pair it with things you already own.
Okay, so maybe not everyone has a pale pink suit, but the idea of ​​pairing a lime green clutch with a crisp white button-down shirt, double-breasted blazer, tailored trousers and loafers shows that the colour can work for any occasion, whether it’s a night out at the club or a day at the office.
But the best example was Miu Miu’s spring show, which looked at how the truth can change our sense of self over time. The theme was reflected in unconventional looks—a pink trench coat over a dress, layered with belts, and a contrasting chartreuse bowler bag. Like Charli XCX’s Brat, which explored the evolution of identity in early adulthood, Miu Miu’s collection reflected a similar exploration, whether intentional or not.
We may never know if Miuccia Prada considers herself a mischievous ghost, but one thing is for sure: Chartreuse will continue to exist (and be fun) for the foreseeable future.
At this point, we’ve proven that a little more color in your bag selection can make a difference. But if you’re still on the fence about swapping out your little black bag for another color, the latest color this season is taupe.
As we all know, we’ve seen variations of the color over the past few years (from chocolate to mocha to hazelnut), but this season’s version is so dark it could be called an espresso martini. Let’s face it—neutrals rarely feel vibrant, but the spring collections showed how color can liven up even the most “boring” items (including bags).
Sure, we love our bags as much as the next fashionista, but no other neutral color makes a classic handbag look so chic. A slouchy hobo? At Bally’s spring show, the bag was instantly updated in smooth patent leather paired with an espresso martini brown. A bowler hat? It’s usually a bit of a no-brainer, but at Stella McCartney’s spring show, the hue was reimagined to make a statement. A crescent-shaped crossbody bag? At Tory Burch’s spring show, the bag felt surprisingly modern thanks to its dark hue and unique hardware.
We could go on for hours (blame the caffeine), but we won’t go into too much detail. All we can say is that Espresso Martini Brown is set to be one of the most exciting bag color trends this spring.
If you’re still unsure about adding more color to your wardrobe, remember: Switching up your usual hue can be as challenging as choosing a new drink. But one of the easiest ways to “try” — or rather, absorb — color is to look in your handbag. If you’re ready to try something new, you might just find a bright bag that’ll make you excited (in the best way possible).
Jasmine Fox-Suliman is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City. What started as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) has grown into a lifelong passion dedicated to uncovering the connections between fashion and culture online and in real life. Over the past decade, she’s parlayed her extensive editorial and social experience into various roles at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. Most recently, she’s worked as a freelance writer for other publications, including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. After work, you can find her glued to her phone, constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal for anything interesting to read.
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