This Week's Obsession: Our Top 7 Designer Bag Picks for Summer

We embarked on a quest to find the ultimate summer bag, but truth be told, it was an impossible task. Why settle for just one when this season offers an abundance of irresistible options? Picture this: the tactile allure of raffia textures, the whimsical charm of playful silhouettes, and the vibrant hues of seaside-ready palettes. Summer 2025 has ushered in a stunning collection of designer bags that are practically calling out to be packed for your next adventure, flaunted on your arm, and shared with the world.
Instead of narrowing it down to a single choice, we've handpicked 7 exquisite summer handbags that we dream of adding to our collection—not just for this holiday season, but for countless sun-soaked escapes in the future. These are the treasures that exude a sun-drenched elegance, an effortless grace, and a timeless appeal that will make them your go-to accessories year after year. Our selection features iconic pieces from renowned designers like Gucci, Chloe, Savette, Miu Miu, and more.
1. Miu Miu Ivy Canvas Bag with Stripes
If there’s one brand that defines the sweet spot between coastal prep and fashion-forward fun, it’s Miu Miu. The Ivy Canvas Bag with Stripes delivers nautical charm with a polished twist. It’s roomy, relaxed, and finished with subtle leather trims that elevate it far beyond your average beach tote.
2. Khaite Simona Raffia and Leather Shoulder Bag
Khaite does quiet luxury like no one else, and the Simona shoulder bag is proof that raffia can be refined. The curved silhouette and contrasting black leather detailing make this the ideal option for summer evenings and minimalist holiday looks alike.
3. Loewe Medium Ola Bag in Raffia and Calfskin
A fresh alternative to the brand’s cult classics, Loewe’s Medium Ola Bag is a study in craftsmanship and summer sophistication. Woven in natural raffia and finished with smooth calfskin trim, it combines artisanal texture with sculptural form. Its curved silhouette and easy structure make it the ideal companion for both beach escapes and breezy city days. Understated yet unmistakably luxe, it’s a bag that quietly elevates every look.
4. Chloé Summer Banana Raffia Tote
Leave it to Chloé to turn a raffia tote into a work of art. The Summer Banana tote is playful and sculptural, with a soft, curved shape that makes it feel like a wearable piece of summer. Ideal for resort wear, linen sets, and oversized sunglasses.
5. Rabanne Raffia and Chainmail Tote
Want to stand out this season? Rabanne’s raffia and chainmail tote delivers texture, movement, and a touch of retro-futurism. It’s a statement piece that’s surprisingly versatile—pair it with a floaty dress or denim shorts and watch the compliments roll in.
6. Savette Symmetry Pochette Leather and Mesh Tote
The Symmetry Pochette from Savette is the modern answer to summer dressing: lightweight, structured, and minimalist. The mix of leather and mesh creates a dynamic contrast, making it perfect for everything from rooftop dinners to gallery hopping in the sun.
7. Gucci Mini Leather-Trimmed Raffia-Jacquard Bucket Bag
We love a bucket bag for summer, and Gucci’s mini version in raffia-jacquard is pure sunshine in handbag form. Trimmed with leather and finished with the house’s signature details, it’s small but mighty—perfect for sunset spritzes and seaside strolls.
Why Co-Ownership Makes Summer Even Better
These aren’t throwaway summer accessories—they’re investment pieces made for rotation. Through More Luxury Club’s co-ownership model, you can access more of the bags you love, without the full-time commitment or price tag. Use them during your holiday weeks, loan them out when you're not, and keep your collection fresh every season. What could be better?
The Power of the Luxury Handbag--Fashion statement or brand identity?
Few items in fashion wield more influence than the luxury handbag. From the storied Hermès Birkin to the playful Alaïa Le Teckel, handbags aren’t just accessories—they’re symbols of status, brand identity, and enduring desire. That's why powerhouse brand Louis Vuitton hired Zendaya to be their House Ambassador and to showcase their iconic Capucines handbag in a stunning campaign set in idyllic Côte d’Azur.
These pieces often become the linchpins of a brand’s business model, delivering outsized commercial value and shaping how consumers connect with luxury itself.
As explored in The Business of Fashion’s latest episode of The Debrief, handbags sit at the intersection of heritage, practicality, and emotional resonance. For luxury brands, getting the handbag right isn’t just a creative triumph—it’s a commercial necessity. This is because handbags can be a gateway to brand discovery, as a first purchase for many aspirational consumers. This has turned luxury handbags into a £70 Billion dollar market.
One Iconic Bag Can Transform a Brand
Consider the case of Alaïa’s Le Teckel. The dachshund-shaped novelty bag may seem like a niche piece, but it proved to be a critical commercial win. As BoF reports, the Teckel helped bolster the performance of Richemont’s fashion division at a time when other brands under the group were underperforming. It’s a testament to how a single, well-executed handbag can have an outsized impact—not just culturally, but financially.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. From Dior’s Lady Dior to Fendi’s Baguette, these “it” bags often become totemic products—iconic representations of a brand’s legacy and style. They attract first-time luxury buyers, generate media attention, and help define an era of fashion. And when done right, they’re not just fleeting trends—they become pieces that hold and even appreciate in value.
Why Handbags Are the Gateway to Luxury
One of the reasons handbags hold such power is their visibility and utility. As luxury correspondent Simone Stern Carbone notes, “You might not recognise jeans from Bottega, but you will recognise whether a bag is Louis Vuitton.” Handbags are instantly recognisable, worn every day, and often serve as a gateway into the world of high fashion.
For many consumers, a luxury handbag is their first major fashion investment. It’s the piece they carry the most, care for meticulously, and eventually hand down—or resell. And for brands, it’s a way to bring new customers into the fold while reinforcing their most iconic signatures.
Imitation and Innovation: A Delicate Balance
But with great success comes one of luxury’s biggest challenges: copycats. Handbags are notoriously easy to replicate, and legal protections for design are limited. Once a bag is copied and saturated in the market, its cachet can fade quickly. Brands like Hermès have countered this by creating artificial scarcity, keeping the Birkin and Kelly bags exclusive and hard to obtain, which in turn drives demand and mystique.
Still, maintaining handbag relevance requires more than just gatekeeping—it demands innovation with integrity. As BoF highlights, the strongest brands don’t chase novelty for its own sake. They empower their design teams, respect their heritage, and create products that authentically resonate with their loyal base.
Interestingly, the CEO of Mytheresa, Michael Kliger, the online luxury platform, discussed during and interview how they don't see luxury handbag shoppers as luxury consumers, since many never go beyond purchasing one handbag. Kliger has highlighted a distinction between "aspirational" customers and "wardrobing" shoppers. The former are occasional purchasers, often influenced by trends and economic factors, while the latter are consistent, high-spending clients who regularly invest in luxury items to build their wardrobes. This perspective underscores the importance of customer engagement and loyalty in the luxury market.
Why Co-Ownership Makes Sense for Iconic Bags
At More Luxury Club, we believe in celebrating these iconic designs in a smarter, more sustainable way. Co-owning a luxury handbag allows members to access these pieces of fashion history without overconsuming, while also preserving their value through our meticulous care and maintenance.
Whether it’s a playful collector’s item like the Teckel or a timeless staple like the Peekaboo or Lady Dior, co-ownership means you can enjoy the power of the luxury handbag—without the full-time commitment or cost. It’s the future of luxury: more access, more value, less waste.
At More Luxury Club, we align with this understanding by offering a model that encourages thoughtful consumption and long-term appreciation of luxury goods. Our co-ownership approach allows members to access a variety of high-end items, fostering a deeper connection with luxury fashion beyond single, occasional purchases because we reduce the cost of doing so and the impact.
Love It or Hate It - - Chanel Coco Beach 2025
While all eyes were on Chanel’s Cruise 2025/26 show—filled with Riviera-ready bags and that signature Parisian polish—Coco Beach 2025 landed quietly but confidently. No fanfare, no spectacle—just a soft splash of pastels, bleached denim, and easy, breezy French-girl energy. Think sunshine, saltwater, and an effortlessly curated beach wardrobe, all wrapped up in the most nonchalant luxury possible.
The capsule brings a more relaxed side of Chanel to the surface: sun-faded tones, logo bralettes, oversized totes and terry textures you can almost feel through the screen. It's designed for that post-dip Aperol spritz moment—or at least the fantasy of it. And yes, some of the bags look like they were made for lounging on striped loungers in Saint-Tropez.
Whether you're enchanted by the effortless Côte d’Azur aesthetic or questioning the practicality of pastel terry totes, Coco Beach 2025 is pure moodboard material. But perhaps it's better seen as a holiday indulgence than a handbag heirloom. And for some members, that’s exactly the appeal.
We’re still firmly on board with Chanel’s Cruise 2025 collection, which included several summer-ready bags that nearly made our Top 7. However, the price points often push them out of Fab5 territory. That said, keep your eye on next month’s edition of The One—we’re hoping this sleek new Maxi Shopping Bag (pictured below) makes the grade.