The Bags We’re Still Thinking About From Balenciaga Spring Summer 2026

Even in a season billed as the “great reset” in fashion, Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut at Balenciaga was among some of the most anticipated; after all, he’s one of fashion’s great colourists and romantic.

To that end, most would agree that the designer succeeded; Piccioli melded elements of Balenciaga’s heritage — such founder Cristobal Balenciaga’s iconic silhouettes like the sack dress as well as nods to former creative directors like Nicolas Ghesquiere and Demna — with his own softer, humanist approach to fashion, creating sculptural yet weightless silhouettes that gently nudged the brand’s history forward without being a total shock.

Likewise in the all-important accessories department. There was of course, the Le City bag, a Nicolas Ghesquiere invention that was first introduced in 2001 and has been an icon ever since - and even enjoying renewed fervour among Gen Zers in recent years.

But the Le City wasn’t the only goodie on show. Here, we break down two brand new Balenciaga baddies that might just be future grails.

THE BOLERO

WHAT: A sculptural take on a bowling bag, the Bolero is Balenciaga’s first bag designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli.

HISTORY: The Bolero bag takes its name from a bolero jacket designed by Cristobal Balenciaga in 1937 for his first couture collection in Paris. Cropped and rounded at the back, this bolero jacket channelled the sculptural drama of traditional Spanish dress into a silhouette that would go on to be a signature of the house. This time around, that same curved attitude shows up in bag form — reworked as a wide-set, ovular shape that feels sleekly architectural, but still easy enough to slip under your arm.

DETAILS: You can’t miss the B-shaped metal emblems at the base of the handles - those are your first glimpse of Pierpaolo Piccioli’s new logo for Balenciaga. There’s also a slanted outer zip pocket that makes it easy to grab your essentials without fully opening the bag — especially when it’s tucked under your arm. You can carry it a few ways too: as a clutch, hooked over your elbow, or worn cross-body with the detachable strap.

WHAT ELSE: For now, the Bolero ($4,190 - $5,150) comes in both medium and mini sizes, crafted from smooth calfskin and lined with soft nappa lambskin. It’s finished with aged gold hardware, and arrives in a tight edit of colours: black, curry, rose quartz and cream.

THE LE 7

WHAT: Part of Piccioli’s first collection for the House, the Le 7 is a compact, versatile shoulder bag.

HISTORY: Named after Paris’s seventh arrondissement, where Piccioli’s The Heartbeat, Summer 26 show was staged, the Le 7 nods to a district known for culture, charm, and timeless architecture.

DETAILS: Think of it as three bags in one. A zippered mid-section with knotted leather pulls works like a mini pochette inside, with its own exterior pocket. Expand or collapse surrounding compartments to suit your load, while buckled side straps let the bag fold and flex as you carry it — casual but elegant, all at once. A rounded front flap snaps shut with a turn-lock clasp. If you ask us, it’s a good candidate for the casual everyday shoulder bag.

WHAT ELSE: Available in black, curry, or biscuit smooth calfskin lined with deep suede, or moka suede with ruby nappa lambskin, the Le 7 comes in a medium size for now (from $4,400).