It’s a widely known fact that the right handbag can make a good outfit great—such is the power of a well-crafted accessory. Shoe trends come and go (and are often informed by comfort), but when it comes to handbags, we have the opportunity to go all out on the trends that can change a look in an instant. Woven bags! Pouches! Unzipped and undone totes! 2026 is already off to a strong start when it comes to the new handbag shapes to look out for, but the one thing that is just as important as the bag itself is the colour.

Just like the ready-to-wear trends in our wardrobes, spring handbags have their own colour trends too. As we prepare for a season of linen trousers, white dresses, ballet flats, flip-flops and light cardigans, we’re already thinking about the bags to pair them with, and if you’re looking for a 2026 update that tells people that you’re in the know, who better to ask than a handbag expert?

“Handbags need to be considered just as important as ready-to-wear because they are such a complement to an outfit,” notes luxury accessories designer Marina Raphael. “A badly chosen handbag can really bring down a look, so some energy should go into finding the perfect accessory. You wouldn’t ruin a good outfit with the wrong shoe, so don’t forget about your handbag! Your choice of bag needs to effortlessly align with your spring/summer wardrobe, and whilst I am very focused on not being overly trend driven, with the right approach, you can make wise investment choices that ensure your handbags are timeless.”

“Colours are such an integral part of the design process, and to me, colours signal mood and emotion, so what you end up choosing is really setting the tone of a collection and informing how your audience feels,” adds Raphael. “For our S/S 26 collection, our colour palette is warm tones, caramel browns, earthy colours—I really wanted our woman to feel calm and grounded, perhaps a sense of peace and connection to something greater through the use of neutrals and the abundance of raffia, which to me, signals sunshine.