Ditch that dull cross body bag! Our fashion editor has found the FIVE must have handbag shapes to invest in this season, from blow the budget designer buys to chic mid range heroes and High Street steals.

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CONFESSION time: I have one of those fabric cross-body bags. Of course I do, they are pretty much ubiquitous to anyone in their 40s like me.

It is undeniably useful. You can fit all manner of things inside it, from a water bottle to a book, plus it’s machine washable and can be worn with anything. That said, I won’t try and claim mine is earning me any style points.

And so I turn my attention to the catwalk. With new creative directors debuting at many of the major fashion houses, designer bag trends actually feel exciting for the first time in ages. And if the SS26 shows had one message it is this: handbags should not be an afterthought.

The right bag is so much more than just a practical extra; it can transform an outfit. Hell, it can transform your whole wardrobe.

That said, you need to balance form with function – something previous seasons have struggled with. Remember micro-bags, barely big enough to hold your phone and purse? I rest my case. But this season, I’m glad to say the strongest styles share one key quality: purpose. This is the attribute seen across collections from The Row, Celine and Bottega Veneta – bags large enough to hold what you need for the day, combined with poise, elegance and originality.

Here are the five new handbag shapes to invest in this season – whether you want to blow the budget on designer, treat yourself to something mid-range, or find something similar on the High Street… because it’s high time we all retired our crossbody bags.

The Bucket Bag

This is the most practical style but still avoids being oversized. Its open shape makes it easy to access your essentials, sitting somewhere between a tote and a shoulder bag. Designers like Loewe championed the style, with longer straps for shoulder wear or shorter handles for carrying on the crook of your arm. Anthropologie’s Slouchy Faux-Leather version is £98, or snap up this striking piece for only £22.99 from Mango.

Oversized Tote

Sometimes you want a bag that can carry your whole life. The bigger, the better. Laptop, trainers, some emergency shopping on the way home. For an eye-watering £3,000, you can snap up this oversized beauty from Celine, a robust leather option that will only improve with age. Luckily, the High Street has been thoroughly inspired, so you don’t need to remortgage the house to get yourself one. & Other Stories has this almost identical design for £169, while you can find something strikingly similar in faux leather for only £22 at Primark.

The Slouchy Pouch

Almost a clutch, but with a strap when you need it, the slouchy pouch is a super stylish option. While they’re not hardy enough for quick errands, commuting with your laptop and lunchbox, or school runs, these bags are designed to be carried every day – if your lifestyle allows, they’re worth it. Soft, roomy, and effortlessly chic, they sit comfortably under the arm. The Row has perfected this relaxed-yet-polished shape, but I also like Aspinal’s forest green design, handcrafted from small-grain milled pebble leather, for £350, or Marks and Spencer’s faux leather version, for £36.

Woven Bags

Nothing says summer like a woven leather tote, and this season there’s no shortage of options. Bottega Venetta’s signature weave design is the original (£4,520), Dragon Diffusion is the only place to go to for mid-range options (its chic Santa Croce is £384) and, luckily, Oliver Bonas has a design for £55 which means we can all get the look.

Bright red

A pop of colour in spring isn’t original, but I’m delighted to see the block bright red bags showing up this season, a welcome break from the neutral ‘stealth wealth’ palette that has dominated for so long. Bright bags are an easy way to inject fun into your wardrobe. It starts with Prada (£950), but I’d rather get my hands on Demellier’s Tokyo shoulder bag, for £262. If that’s still out of reach, head to Charles and Keith where this leather bag is only £79.