Buying a designer bag is no small ordeal, especially these days, when handbags are priced higher than ever before. To invest in one takes significant forethought and involves countless variables that one must consider before pressing purchase (or walking into a boutique and swiping). Rising prices are likely also why so many are now falling back on black handbags. Bold colors and materials don’t feel safe—not like black does. But before you invest in a black bag because you think you have to, consider that there are other timeless color options out there—and some are arguably even chicer and more sophisticated.

One such anti-trend shade is beige—specifically, beige suede. The bag color has quietly taken over in 2026, usurping even chocolate brown and burgundy. Much of its growing popularity stems from Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel. The designer, who kicked off his tenure at the French fashion house last October with a historic spring/summer 2026 collection, has made beige suede one of the most sought-after color-and-material bag pairings of the year. And the combination’s most recent sighting has only spurred fashion’s growing interest.

On Kendall Jenner: Chanel bag; vintage Prada top and pants; vintage Cartier watch