SUMMER’S HEAD-TURNING HANDBAGS WE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF

BY EMILY ROSE PATZ

Heat up your summer wardrobe with the season’s coolest sidekicks.

July 14, 2024

As your closet shifts into warm-weather mode, the latest additions call for handbags to pair with the season’s hottest looks—from bright minimalist swimwear and slinky slip dresses to the bohemian love affair we’re glad to welcome back.

This summer, bags are going big with delightfully oversized totes and gem-studded clutches that demand a night out, while laidback fabrics are making a comeback, from woven raffia to the glossy nylon of 90s dreams.

Curate your show-stopping summer handbag collection at South Coast Plaza, where you’ll find these top picks along with even more favorites for every occasion.

MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION

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SOUTH COAST PLAZA

THE SUMMER HANDBAG EDIT

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KATE SPADE NEW YORK

MORE IS MORE TOTES

Breezy beach days and weekend getaways require roomier silhouettes when it comes to bags, and this summer, the designers who do it best are having fun with unexpected prints, pops of color, and whimsical motifs.

The Ella chain tote from Tory Burch shows off its wild side in the summer capsule collection, while Balenciaga’s Le City bag sports a sidewalk-chalk green to pair with the season’s parade of floral prints. If you’re feeling nostalgic, Kate Spade’s nylon tote is back and bigger than ever in the perfect carryall size for Saturdays spent poolside. And no matter which bag you deem your go-to tote, you can make it your own with piled-on charms and keychains or tying on your favorite scarf.

JIMMY CHOO

A DASH OF FLASH

The season’s gauzy sheer skirts, electric summer sandals, and sequins on, well, everything bring all the drama, so why shouldn’t your bag play along?

Balmain’s dazzling Gate bag dazzled on the runway alongside the collection’s chunky shades, 3D florals, and bedazzled bangles, making it the perfect pairing for your most out-there ensembles or if you need to add some sparkle to a more demure look. For a splash of color by your side, look to Dolce&Gabbana’s Devotion bag in bold red leather or Gucci’s made-for-summer take on the classic Marmont. And if your calendar is dotted with best friends’ weddings and garden soirees, pick up a shimmering metallic clutch you’ll love now and reach for again during the holidays.

LOEWE

WOVEN WONDERS

With their picnic-perfect shapes and free-spirited colorways, summer’s woven handbags team beautifully with the floaty frocks we live for all season long. This year, designers are bringing playful twists to the classics for a fresh lineup that makes the case for owning more than one.

Michael Kors reimagines the bucket bag with nostalgia for sunny-day picnics, while Marni’s colorful weave creates a technicolor pixel effect that teams perfectly with its sky-blue leather trim. Hats off to Maison Margiela for its plucked-from-a-storybook purse to pair with summer’s sweet cotton dresses, and as for versatility, Givenchy delivers a take-anywhere tote in the season’s favorite woven look.