Is the Handbag Over?
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Demand for women's handbags declined by 5.5% in April 2026 compared to the previous year, while searches for briefcases increased by 14%, and searches for clothing with pockets surged by 542% between January and April 2026.
- The shift reflects changing fashion trends and a move toward more practical accessories, with powerful professional women favoring briefcases and pocketed clothing over traditional handbags.
- The iconic "It bag" symbolizing status and achievement among millennials is losing its dominance, as fashion becomes more fragmented and niche-specific.
- Different social groups now associate with distinct handbag styles, reflecting diverse cultural signals rather than a single dominant trend.
- Despite these changes, fashion cycles suggest that no accessory is ever truly obsolete, indicating handbags may evolve rather than disappear.