The Best Handbags of Spring 2026

This season’s standout bags weren’t about logo statements or nostalgia, but about perspective. Each of the houses that rose to the top delivered pieces with a clear point of view — where craftsmanship, silhouette, and identity intertwined in ways that felt unmistakably their own.

At Bottega Veneta, the mastery of craft once again defined the conversation, with supple leathers, woven techniques, and quiet innovation shaping some of the season’s most compelling designs. Dries Van Noten took a bolder, more architectural approach, offering oversized shapes that balanced softness and structure, echoing the house’s poetic tension between art and wearability. Chanel, under Matteo Blazy’s steady new direction, struck a harmony between house codes and modern sensibilities — refreshed yet recognizably Chanel.

Elsewhere, Alessandro Michele’s Valentino reintroduced a touch of romance, infusing old-world charm into silhouettes that felt timeless yet newly precious. Fendi impressed with a broad spectrum of technique — from intricate construction to minimal, confident restraint — reaffirming its position as one of the most consistent champions of Italian craftsmanship. And Hermès, ever the measure of enduring elegance, continued to refine its icons with subtle innovation, proving that when the foundation is strong, even the smallest shifts feel revelatory.

Here are The Impression’s selections for the Best Handbags of the Spring 2026 Season—each one a statement in craft, character, and point of view.