From new hobos to hearts to #Barbiecore.

Words by Kerry Pieri

So what does the story in bags for the upcoming season reflect about our current cultural moment? It seems designers are feeling like lightening up a bit and leaning into overtly femme aspects. It's all coming up hearts, glitter, and #Barbiecore. Whether you go pink, sequined, or heart shaped, the takeaway is the same: There's a desire for a lightness and femininity we haven't seen since the early 2000s. "Post the Y2K revival, it seems crystals have become something of a new neutral," Tatiana Hambro, editorial director of Moda Operandi, tells BAZAAR.com. And in other Y2K news, the hobo is making a triumphant return.

Culturally, similar to the early 2000s, the collective is feeling a shift toward a desire for optimism after so much cynicism. Soothe all of that anxiety with tactile, furry bags. There's also a bijoux-inspired vibe with impactful hardware that speaks to femininity without falling into girly territory. On the other end of the spectrum, utility reigns with soft totes and military-inspired bags that send you packing. "Though it's hard to resist a diminutive handbag, I'm not sorry to see fashion's pendulum swing in the other direction. … Long live the oversized bag!" Hambro continues. "I'm coveting styles in timeless neutrals: rich gradients of brown, near-black, or cream. Bottega Veneta's fold-over shoulder bag is the ultimate roomy day bag for fall. Slouchy suede and gusseted leather versions from The Row are favorites—so elegant while still holding a laptop."

See the fall 2022 runway bags that set the tone for the season ahead and shop nine trends in bags that define fall 2022.