Handbag trends 2022: The must-have styles to invest in now

Update your wardrobe with the best handbag trends 2022

The latest handbag trends 2022 will help to refresh your look in no time. As the sun starts to make a more regular appearance, it's time to rethink your arm candy and give your everyday looks a much-needed boost.

While you might think the quickest way to get your capsule wardrobe ready for the new season is to fill it with the latest fashion trends 2022 has to offer, savvy shoppers know that the key to embracing the new season in an instant is via a serious accessories refresh. From the shoe trends 2022, to the latest handbag styles, if you're nervous about wearing new silhouettes, updating your look through well-thought-out accessories will give your outfit a directional feel. And this season the handbag trends 2022 really do deliver on wearability and style. Texture plays a key role with cute crochet and basket weaves making an appearance as well as embellished detailing and statement fringing. For something more refined, chic tan hues, structured bucket bags, and sleek curved silhouettes dominated the Ulla Johnson and Dior runways and straight-to-market versions are widely available.

A good handbag is a wardrobe essential but the design and silhouette you choose will differ by occasion and personal taste. If you like to have everything to hand, you'll be pleased to find that the best tote bags this season have been supersized, offering plenty of room for all your essentials. Prefer the hands-free experience? Then you'll need to look out for the best crossbody bags - don't worry there are plenty to choose from. And it's not all just about the best designer handbags either. While the designers might set trends, straight-to-market brands have bags that mirror and reflect the key looks we've seen across the major fashion cities, and for a snippet of the price too. If you do however fancy buying an investment piece, opt for classic colors and silhouettes. This will ensure your handbag will last a lifetime and if you do get bored of it, you might just make a return on investment - check out our how to sell clothes online for resale ideas.

Handbag Trends 2022

1. TheBucket

One for the bucket list this year, is indeed the bucket bag. The classic silhouette made several appearances on the runways and it’s as practical as it is chic. Despite its more compact appearance, most bucket bags are actually pretty roomy inside making them the perfect day-to-night bag. For a smarter aesthetic, go for the modern structured styles of American clothing brand, Michael Kors in elegant, neutral hues, or for a more laid-back vibe look to retro-inspired slouchier silhouettes.

2. Party Bag

The runways were awash with statement party bags that exuded glitz and glamor. From embellished rhinestones to metallic finishes, we’re no longer saving these showstoppers for best, but instead elevating the everyday. “The party bag you bought either this Christmas or last is no longer just for bests. Add your feather, sequin, or sparkle accessory to everyday outfits for a style clash fit for a queen,” says Karen. An ideal choice for what to wear to a wedding this season, it's time to bring back the sparkle.

3. Supersize Totes

Go big or go home is the case with this handbag trend. If you don’t like to travel lightly, then you’re in luck, the supersize bag is back on the fashion agenda so you’ll be able to stash all the essentials, your gym kit, and your best waterproof jacket in one stylish accessory. Chanel kept it simple with their signature black quilting and designer logo, whilst Proenza Schouler played with summer textures with its orange braided bag. Take note and look for quilted totes, woven shoppers, and basket bags for added interest.

4. Circular Silhouettes

Another notable silhouette on the catwalks was curved lines, from crescent shapes to half moons, this is undoubtedly the shape of the season. Cool and contemporary, this '90s inspired design will add instant polish to any outfit. The clean lines and smooth exterior makes it a go-to for the minimalists amongst us especially if you stick to a pared-back palette. Take it to the office and team with sleek, tailored separates or one of the best shirt dresses for an instantly dressed-up look.

5. Chain details

Toughen up ladylike styles with some chunky chain details as seen on the Stella McCartney and Versace runways. Perfect for giving simple shapes added edge, you don’t need to veer too far from your favorite designs with this little added detail. “Chain details have been around for a while now and the gold, silver, and plastic hardware trends are stronger than ever for 2022. For a bold look, wear against strong prints - think '90s Versace, or wear as a statement piece against a clean silhouette in neutral tones or bright block colors,” says Karen.

6. Crochet Textures

Crochet is a huge handbag trend for 2022 so ease yourself in with a cute knitted bag. A surefire way to add instant summer feels to your look, this bohemian style has got us dreaming of festivals and beach days. With rainbow colors and fun fringing, it’s bold and eclectic with a '70s twist as seen on the Acne and Chloé catwalks. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and wear with denim cut-offs or your best mom jeans, letting the bag take center stage.

“Gone are the days when one black bag will see you through the year change of seasons,” says stylist Karen Williams (opens in new tab). “Texture is everything this season thanks to Chloe and a few others on the catwalk. Expect to see crochet & whipstitch details in full effect on all bags, all sizes. Texture worn with minimalist and simple pieces is a perfect contrast.”

7. Structured bags

Rigidity is the name of the game here. Highly structured and generally square or rectangular, this trend is one for the minimalists. Prada's Re-edition of their 1995 tote in bold red instantly won hearts and influenced this trend alongside structured iterations from Coach, Versace, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, and Hermès, all of whom have made easing back to the office in style a little more fashion-forward this season.

8. Slouchy Bags

In total contrast to the structured bag trend, designers also went all-in on lovely squishy, slouchy bags. The kind of bags that will expand to consume all your daily essentials, while they'll also collapse in on themselves when not filled to the brim, making them ideal for work and traveling.

9. Mini Bags

Mini bags continue to be big news. While on one end of the spectrum we're seeing catch-all, XL totes, at the other end of the scale, fashion is embracing tiny bags that carry little more than your phone, lippy, and a purse. Made for partying, or carrying alongside an XL tote, simply as a lovely piece of arm candy, mini bags were spotted on the runway at the spring/summer 2022 shows of Versace, Christian Dior and Coach.

10. Whip stitching

Whip stitching made an impact on the runway for the likes of Chloé and Altuzarra, adding a new luxe detailing to classic handbag shapes. While this trend has mainly been seen at more high-end retailers - due to the increased cost of extra stitching, there are some straight-to-market iterations of the trend. Giving accessories a more artisan feel, look out for contrast stitching to really make this trend stand out.

11. Logo Details

Part of the '90s nostalgia trend, brands returned to monogram and logo detailing this season in a big way. From the repeat patterns at Gucci and Louis Vuitton to the oversized, quilted, and metal monograms at Chanel, it's all about showing off what brand you've bought. And while this might feel very trend-heavy, logo and monogram bags are unlikely to date. Some of the best Gucci bags and best Chanel bags make its logos central to their design, ensuring these styles are always worth investing in.

12. Clutch Bags

While clutch bags used to be reserved for evening wear, there has been a definite shift towards more 'anytime' clutch bags. Chanel, Loewe and Hermès all opted for styles that fit into the model's palms for an unfussy way to accessorize. From sleek and slouchy leather iterations to more defined box bag styles, if you've invested in any of the best backpacks for work but still want your valuables to hand, this is a good option.

13. Tan Hues

If you're looking to invest in a designer handbag, then opting for a neutral hue will ensure your bag will never date. As the fashion industry puts greater emphasis on buying less, buying better, and wearing for longer, neutral hues have become even more crucial to a designer's collection. Chloé was just one of many brands that elevated their tan-hued bags to runway status, causing a resurgence of love for the classic style.

14. Colorful Bags

When it comes to rainbow hues, 2022 are leading from the front. Embracing bright colors is a trend we've seen in abundance when it comes to clothing and it has seeped its way into spring bag trends too. When it comes to colorful bags we're talking about everything from pretty pastels to bold knock-out tones that will refresh any classic jeans and tee look. And if you've always shied away from color due to fear of not knowing 'what color suits me', adding a bold accessory is an easy way to trial new ideas.

15. Basket Bags

Raffia, wicker, and woven bags are a trend we can always rely on to appear as the weather warms up. Evoking a holiday-like mood, for the handbag trends 2022 this artisanal look took on all shapes and sizes. From the biggest and best beach bags to chic box style clutch bags more appropriate for a night out, this look stormed the runway at the likes of Michael Kors and Chloé.

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The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year

The popular host Joe Budden recently made headlines after accidentally sharing a screenshot that revealed he earns close to $900,000 per month—and later confirmed that his podcast network is on track to generate over $20 million in revenue by 2025. Budden represents a growing trend among independent audio creators who are trying to reduce their reliance on the industry’s major players—an industry that, according to new data, now generates $7.3 billion annually.

A Billion-Dollar Boom for Podcasts

According to a recent report from research firm Owl & Co, the global podcast industry brought in $7.3 billion last year—more than double most prior estimates. This surge reveals that podcasting, still a relatively young entertainment format, is bringing in far more money than many insiders had previously realized.

Advertising accounts for the bulk of these revenues, with the rest coming from paid subscriptions. These numbers do not include live events, such as the wildly popular British political podcast The Rest is Politics, which sold out London’s O2 Arena for a live taping.

Joe Budden’s Accidental Disclosure

In this booming market, one of the most surprising success stories is that of Joe Budden, a former rapper once dubbed “the Howard Stern of hip-hop.” Last month, Budden unintentionally posted a screenshot from Patreon—a subscription platform where fans can pay creators directly. The image showed over 30 million views in 30 days.

While the revenue figures were blacked out, internet sleuths edited the image and discovered that Budden had likely earned over $900,000 in that single month, backed by more than 154,000 active subscribers. The figures quickly made headlines. Budden’s latest Patreon update and podcast episode even referenced the leak with a title that cheekily reads “Blackout the Numbers.”

On Track for $20 Million+ in 2025

According to Ian Schwartzman, CEO of the Joe Budden Network, the platform is now averaging $1.04 million per month on Patreon. “We have around 70,000 paying subscribers, with subscription tiers ranging from $5 to $50 per month. Higher tiers offer access to more content, including exclusive spin-off shows,” Schwartzman told The New York Times.

Budden’s Patreon offers four subscription levels:

Homies ($5/month) – Ad-free episodes and bonus content.
Family ($10/month)
Friend of the Show ($25/month)
Part of the Show ($50/month) – Includes a chance to appear on-air and have your name in the credits.

These subscription revenues alone could exceed $12 million in 2025, making Budden one of the highest-earning creators on Patreon—a claim that a Patreon spokesperson has confirmed.

Advertising Still Adds Millions

But subscriptions aren’t Budden’s only income stream. Advertising also contributes millions in additional revenue, said Schwartzman. Notably, Budden’s team sells their own ads directly, instead of partnering with major networks like iHeart, Wondery, or SiriusXM, which often take a cut of ad revenues.

From $500 a Week to Industry Powerhouse

Budden’s journey hasn’t always been lucrative. Back in 2017, when he co-hosted a show on the media platform Complex, Schwartzman recalls that they were struggling to break even. Budden himself has said he was surviving on a $500-per-week stipend at the time.

From 2018 to 2020, The Joe Budden Podcast had an exclusive licensing deal with Spotify, which paid under $2 million per year and didn’t include ad revenue or equity.

Leaving Spotify: A Strategic Reboot

After a tense split with Spotify, Budden and Schwartzman began shopping for new distribution deals. But negotiations often broke down over exclusivity clauses. In one case, a potential $44 million deal was rejected because it required removing all content from YouTube.

“As the money goes up, so do the demands,” said Schwartzman. “We wanted someone who saw our value and would let us stay in the game.”

In 2021, they found their fit in Patreon—no guaranteed check, but equity in the company and advisory roles for both Budden and Schwartzman. “Joe is in a league of his own,” said Patreon CEO Jack Conte. “Earning $1 million a month on Patreon is extremely rare.”

A New Model for Creator Power

Since hitting that revenue milestone in November, the Joe Budden Network hasn’t slowed down. Conte credits Patreon’s creator-first model, noting: “Artists today have more leverage and control than ever before in the history of the arts.”

Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines

The U.S. President disclosed new trade deals that include reduced tariffs and investment pledges from key Asian economies, with Japan committing $550 billion in U.S.-based projects

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a series of new trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, detailing what he described as transformative developments for the American economy.

According to statements released on his social media platform, Japan has pledged to invest $550 billion in the United States, with 90% of profits reportedly expected to remain within the country.

The trade agreement with Japan includes significant tariff adjustments, with Japanese imports to the U.S. subject to duties ranging between 15% and 19%.

In return, the Japanese market will open further to U.S. goods, including automobiles, trucks, rice, and other agricultural products.

Trump stated that the investment deal would generate hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Following the announcement, Tokyo’s stock exchange experienced a 3.5% surge, marking the highest closing since July 2024.

Additionally, Japan's 10-year government bond yield rose by 9 basis points to 1.60%.

The agreement with Indonesia entails the removal of 99% of tariffs on American industrial, technological, and agricultural products entering the Indonesian market.

In contrast, Indonesian exports to the U.S. will be subject to a 19% import tariff.

The deal includes commitments by Indonesia to supply critical minerals to the United States and purchase American goods, including Boeing aircraft, agricultural exports, and energy products, in contracts valued in the tens of billions of dollars.

A similar framework has been established with the Philippines, where American products will be exported tariff-free, while Philippine goods entering the U.S. market will face a 19% tariff.

During a state visit by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Washington, the two countries signed a trade agreement that also includes military cooperation initiatives.

These agreements come two weeks after Trump previously announced plans to impose higher tariffs on several Asian nations—32% on Indonesia, 30% on Japan, and 25% on the Philippines—due to the expiration of a moratorium on his proposed trade measures.

The recent negotiations have led to revised terms and apparent withdrawal from those earlier tariff levels.

Japanese and regional media outlets have prominently covered the announcement, with front pages in Tokyo highlighting the scale of the trade and investment commitments.

The agreements mark a shift in bilateral economic relations between the United States and several Asian partners, following extended negotiations involving trade liberalization and strategic collaboration.