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April showers bring May flowers — along with a fresh assortment of floral purses for summer. The spring 2024 runway collections bloomed a number of new designer handbag trends, such as pastel purses, raffia basket bags, and oversized totes to name a few, but floral bags are an exception to the trend cycle, considered to be more of a timeless mainstay in the world of luxury accessories for the warm weather season. It’s simply natural to gravitate towards a fresh, flowery finishing touch for your summer ensembles that will last much, much longer than a beautiful bouquet.
The 2024 Met Gala’s “Garden of Time” red carpet theme and the release of the new season of Bridgerton on Netflix might have been catalysts for many of us to have buds on the brain this season, but the connection the average consumer has to floral bags runs deeper than perennial roots. Be it a core memory of your grandmother’s floral appliqué clutch or your recollection of early aughts ‘It’ bags dressed up with floral prints, our innate response to flowery luxuries will always be joyful. In fact, studies have shown that flowers have an impact on our happiness and emotional well-being. While these purses might not be Mother Nature’s design, the mentality still applies.
Take, for example, the story behind Gucci’s signature Flora print, which was originally designed on a silk scarf by illustrator Vottorio Accornero after Grace Kelly shopped at the brand’s Milan boutique in the 1960s. Rodolfo Gucci, son of Guccio Gucci and owner of the store, wanted to give the Princess of Monaco a gift that showed his gratitude, one that would last longer than a traditional bouquet of flowers. The result was a flora- and fauna-print that would become synonymous with the Italian fashion label, featuring several types of colorful flowers — tulips, lilies, daffodils, poppies, tulips, and more — and insect life. Shortly after the end of Tom Ford’s tenure of overtly sexy designs in 2004, then accessories designer Frida Giannini would bring back the iconic blooms out of the archives, applying the Flora print to the Gucci Jackie Hobo bag and a number of other accessories, which would establish a fresh, new era for the storied fashion house, and ultimately land Giannini the top role of creative director for the entire Gucci brand. Sex sells, but floral, feminine luxury goods do, too.
During the early 2000s, floral-embellished designs allowed popular bag styles to flourish for more than a singular season, especially when combined with a recognizable logo print, as seen on Louis Vuitton’s spring 2003 handbags with Takashi Murakami-designed cherry blossoms, as well as the floral embellishments on Dior Oblique-covered purses for the fashion brand’s spring 2005 collection. Louis Vuitton would revisit this winning formula in 2009, when the luxury house’s popular monogram-printed bags were released with a fresh twist of a painterly rose print by Stephen Sprouse (originally seen on skirts during the duo’s last collaboration for spring 2001). During that time period, floral prints were found on even the most unexpected designer handbag styles, like the Balenciaga City Bag, which created a nice juxtaposition to the bag’s moto-inspired details with botanical delight. Flash forward to 2021, when Gucci and Balenciaga collaborated on The Hacker Project collection, which would bring together Gucci’s Flora print and Balenciaga’s signature bag styles for what would become one of the most talked-about collaborations of the season.
All of this floral designer handbag history is to simply prove that regardless of what we saw on the spring 2024 runways, it’s inevitable that flowery purses will continue to trend time and time again. Consider this an early bloomer alert to skip the fresh flower market and head straight for these luxury blossom-covered beauties that will make you smile with great style for many summers to come.
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The Best Floral Bags for Summer 2024
Staud Flora Laser-Cut Leather Basket Bag
Moda Operandi Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.0/5 stars
For those with an aversion to color, the best floral handbag might be one with laser-cut floral designs that emulate the pretty petals of a delicate flower in durable leather. Staud’s standout floral purse style comes in a basket bag silhouette for both chic summer soirées and casual Sunday brunches.
Price upon publish date of this article: $325
Sézane Mini Farrow Raphia Bucket
Sézane Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.0/5 stars
Boho is back! Raffia bags are all the rage this season, but a straw bag with the addition of hand-woven floral embroidery makes this Sézane style perfectly precious to pair with flowy linen dresses and comfortable flats to awaken your inner flower child this summer.
Price upon publish date of this article: $185
Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 with Quilting and Floral Print
Coach Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Fresh as a daisy, Coach’s new quilted Tabby bag is evokes the ’90s trend popularized by style icons like Drew Barrymore — and it’s having a major resurgence this season. For the chic urbanite with an all-black-everything wardrobe, consider this floral Coach purse for a summery touch to elevate your muted attire.
Price upon publish date of this article: $450
Gucci Canvas Flora Blue Agata Medium Jackie Hobo Bag
Fashionphile Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Take home a piece of fashion history, thanks to Fashionphile’s lust-worthy selection of vintage handbags. One part Jackie O, one part Grace Kelly, the Gucci Jackie Hobo bag in the iconic Flora print with rich navy leather details is one purchase any true fashion lover simply can’t resist. For a museum-worthy piece, the price tag and near-perfect condition make this a total steal.
Editor’s Note: Fashionphile finds can sell out quickly, but the ultra-luxury online retailer regularly stocks up on a slew of premium pre-loved goodies, so make sure to browse their new offerings here, including Emma Roberts’ favorites.
Price upon publish date of this article: $960
Marc Jacobs The Future Floral Leather Medium Tote Bag
Bloomingdale’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
Marc Jacobs’ bestselling Tote Bag is a top choice for its floral photo-printed finish. The convertible designer crossbody bag is ideal for everyday errands and hot summer evenings with ample room for your daily essentials with a lightweight feel.
Price upon publish date of this article: $550
JW Anderson Anchor Floral Embroidered Tall Tote Bag
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
A good canvas tote bag goes a long way for all your summer adventures. JW Anderson’s floral-embroidered style features a rich green leather trim and handle that elevated the durable canvas material with a flowery, feminine touch. This designer tote bag will be your sure-bet summer bag to carry wherever the day may take you.
Price upon publish date of this article: $790
Gucci Luce Small Shoulder Bag
Gucci Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5 stars
The new Gucci Lido capsule collection is full of investment-worthy summer accessories, but the Luce small shoulder bag is at the top of our must-have list of floral purses for summer 2024. The bright pink floral embroidery and sequin detail strikes the ideal balance of flirty flair with finesse on a clean white canvas, framed with rich brown leather trim and gold hardware accents. Plus, east-west bags are one of the biggest designer handbag trends for 2024.
Price upon publish date of this article: $4,600
Khaite Mini Lotus Floral Embroidered Leather Tote
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
Yes, even minimalist fashion fanatics can still find a floral handbag that fits their style. Case in point: the Khaite Mini Lotus tote. Enveloped in a refined floral print that’s reminiscent of our favorite ’90s floral dresses, this top-selling bag will compliment your wardrobe of neutrals without overwhelming the eyes. Just be ready for the audible awes when you bring this sweet little luxury to your next girls’ night.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,850
Prada Galleria Printed Saffiano Leather Bag
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 3.9/5 stars
Pastel perfection by way of Prada, this floral handbag is a tribute to the brand’s rich heritage and quality craftsmanship, made of over 80 pieces assembled by hand. The rich Saffiano leather exterior is made even more beautiful with a vintage-inspired floral design for the utmost elegance. It’s one of those luxury designer pieces that’s meant to be displayed like fine art when not in hand of a sophisticated style savant.
Price upon publish date of this article: $5,500
Naghedi Mini St. Barths Daisy Tote
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.0/5 stars
This pool-to-promenade pick is an editor favorite for it’s incredibly lightweight feel, water-resistant exterior, and convertible strap capabilities. The touch of embroidered daisies on this mini bag adds to the textural richness of the well-priced handbag that’s a total steal when calculating its cost-per-wear value.
Price upon publish date of this article: $210
Meet the Author
Adam Mansuroglu is the Director of Commerce for Footwear News and WWD, overseeing strategy for shopping content on both brands, along with writing and editing shopping guides, product reviews, and shopping trend stories across fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle product categories for men and women. Prior to his current role, Mansuroglu was a fashion editor and stylist at Cosmopolitan Magazine, Style Editor at BestProducts.com, and Senior Style and Gear Editor at Men’s Health Magazine. Mansuroglu has been tapped as a shopping expert for editorial websites such as Wirecutter, and his writing has also appeared in Out Magazine, Esquire and other publications. Mansuroglu has been following handbag trends over the past few decades as both an editor and fashion student, including floral bags in the early 2000s.
