It may only be January, but my fashion-editor senses are tingling when it comes to a handful of newly launched designer bags that will come to define the rest of the year. They may be new to the market, but I can pretty much guarantee that these seven styles will go so viral that the fashion community will still be discussing them all the way into 2026. It’s a tall order, but based on the early response I’ve already noticed from the insider set, these are just brimming with It-item potential.
Whether it’s The Row’s barrel-shaped update to its beloved classic or the retro-elegant handbag from Khaite’s most recent runway, the fashion crowd is already fixating on a number of specific silhouettes, and as the year plays out and we approach fashion month, I fully anticipate seeing these seven bags become the stars of every street style gallery, from Copenhagen to Paris. Are you taking notes?
First up comes the Balenciaga Rodeo Bag. Inspired by vintage briefcases and featuring a sophisticated top handle with a slouchy frame, the harmonious blend of retro and modern is everything fashion people want in a bag right now. The brand tapped a genius cast—including Nicole Kidman, Michelle Yeoh, and Amelia Gray—for its campaign, which featured the bags accessorized to the brim with quirky and colorful charms, signaling that it’s the latest canvas for 2025’s hottest accessory trend and is the kind of bag that only gets better with more wear and use. On the street, Hailey Bieber is already one of its earliest IRL fans, and she recently wore hers with one of her effortless off-duty uniforms of relaxed jeans, loafers, and a leather jacket.
The version to buy: The Rodeo Medium Leather Shoulder Bag in smooth black leather
Balenciaga
Rodeo Medium Leather Shoulder Bag
BALENCIAGA
Rodeo Medium Leather Shoulder Bag
BALENCIAGA
Rodeo Large Leather Shoulder Bag
Balenciaga
Rodeo Medium Croc-Embossed Top-Handle Bag
There’s no question that Catherine Holstein knows how make an It bag. Countless carryalls have gone onto achieve cult status among the fashion set (the sleek Simona Bag and studded Elena Bag, to name two recent styles), and the latest to join the Khaite lineup comes in the form of an ultra-polished lady bag with a slightly curved body. Called the Cate, the bag debuted on the spring/summer 2025 and now that it’s arrived in stores, it’s already getting call-outs from key insiders as the handbag of the season, particularly in the ultra-luxe calf hair finish. With fashion month quickly approaching, I’m already predicting the bag will bubble up as a key street style piece.
The version to buy: Khaite Cate Calf Hair Tote in black
Khaite
Cate Leather-Trimmed Calf Hair Tote
Khaite
Cate Snake-Effect Leather Shoulder Bag
As if the original Alaïa Le Teckel Bag didn’t cause enough of a frenzy on its own, we now have a sleek clutch iteration that’s sure to put us into overdrive. With its cheeky wiener-dog name (“teckel” translates to Dachshund in French) and unique east-west silhouette, the bag was one of 2024’s most-wanted purses, having earned favor with A-listers like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and completely selling out shortly after launch. Now, Alaïa has issued a Teckel Bag 2.0 that features the same iconic shape but with a mini handle that serves as a clutch rather than a shoulder bag, giving it a much more evening-wear energy. It joins the growing ranks of sleek clutches that are rapidly replacing over-the-shoulder styles, and indeed the fashion set is already rallying around the new Teckel Clutch on social media.
The version to buy: Alaïa Le Teckel Suede Clutch in burgundy
Alaïa
Le Teckel Suede Clutch
ALAÏA
Le Teckel Leather-Trimmed Suede Clutch
Alaïa
Le Teckel Leather Clutch
With the launch of the Loafer Bag for his eponymous label, Jonathan Anderson continues to prove that he’s one of the most inventive and fantasy-fueled designers at work today. After all, he is the mind behind reality-defying fashion items like the iconic pigeon bag he designed for Loewe. The Loafer Bag, however, taps into the same surrealism but strikes a much more wearable note for those of us who want to tap into a bit of Anderson’s signature cheekiness without sacrificing practicality. The bag comes in the form of a roomy carryall with a structured top-handle and shoulder and crossbody straps and perhaps most notably, features leather that’s cut with a pane resembling the penny slot on a loafer at the front.
The version to buy: JW Anderson Loafer Shoulder Bag in brown suede
JW Anderson
Loafer Shoulder Bag
JW Anderson
Loafer Embroidered Leather Shoulder Bag
Jw Anderson
Tan Loafer Bag
JW ANDERSON
Loafer Embroidered Leather Shoulder Bag
Bottega Veneta’s oversize clutch is inspired by an archival design that actress Lauren Hutton carried in the 1980 film classic American Gigolo. It has an oversized slouchy, shape with a structured top to hold easily in your hand and has already been worn multiple times by Rihanna and Elsa Hosk in the burgundy barolo color. Bottega bags are always high in demand but the Lauren 1980 is already cementing itself as the Italian house’s most-wanted bag, even nudging out the fan-favorite Andiamo Bag.
The version to buy: Bottega Veneta Lauren 1980 Teen Clutch in barolo
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 Intrecciato Leather Clutch
BOTTEGA VENETA
Lauren 1980 Small Intrecciato Leather Clutch
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 Leather Clutch
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 Intrecciato Leather Clutch
Carried by seemingly every stylish person we know, The Row ’90s Bag is a modern icon. Its sleek pouch shape and thin belted strap have made it a pillar of the modern minimalist era that continues to remain in top demand even years after its release. Now, the brand has released a fresh version of the cult-popular bag that featured a rounded cylinder shape and thicker handle in the same measurements that made the original so beloved.
The version to buy: The Row Round ’90s Bag in black
The Row
Round 90s Leather Shoulder Bag
THE ROW
90’s Leather Tote
The Row
Round 90s Leather Tote Bag
The Row
Round 90s Leather Shoulder Bag
Toteme has established itself as the go-to for elevated, everyday pieces that are undeniably luxurious while being worthy of the most edited capsule wardrobe. Speaking of functionality, the Swedish label’s belted tote bag is the ultimate stylish daytime bag that can accommodate everything from a laptop to a pair of shoes and comes in beautiful croc and lizard-effect finishes with a tonal belt that cinches the shape for a sleek, modern appeal.
The version to buy: Toteme Belted Croc-Effect Bucket Tote
Toteme
Belted Croc-Effect Leather Bucket Bag
TOTEME
Belted Leather Tote
TOTEME
Belted Croc-Effect Leather Tote
TOTEME
Belted Leather Tote
TOTEME
Belted Lizard-Effect Leather Tote