Bye, Straps And Handles: 'Huggies' Are The Handbag Trend Of The Moment

Snug enough to clutch under your arm, structured or unstructured handle-free bags are the latest in chic, effortless carryalls. The laid-back style is centralized around the silhouette and brings a fresh energy to your accessorizing game. Aptly referred to as a "huggie," the strapless purse trend may not leave your hands free, but it does bring a cozy, chic element to any outfit, and they tend to be roomy enough to fit your essentials, plus some. Or, if you choose a smaller huggie, you'll be invited to live minimally for the day, carrying only what you can't live without.

Huggies are relatively easy to style, and thanks to their versatility, you can carry this one around for just about any outing. A slouchy, elongated huggie in the crook of your arm makes quite the statement and has you leading the way when it comes to fashion-forward style. Here's some inspiration if you're ready to wave goodbye to straps and handles this season.

A neutral-hued huggie is the perfect, simple statement for a timeless outfit. If you aren't sure how to style a huggie, stick to solid colors and elegant shapes that'll complement the unstructured, slouchy silhouette. Try pairing your favorite huggie with a contrasting top so that it will really pop.

Clutching your chic huggie against a unique blouse like the one pictured above makes this look all the more desirable. If you'd prefer to aim for a more monochromatic look, choose a huggie in a similar tone, and don't forget to add dainty, minimalist jewelry for an added touch of whimsy.

To make an eye-catching statement, try styling an oversized huggie with a relaxed, casual outfit. Distressed denim and an open button-up make for a fun, contrasting backdrop against the more elegant and sophisticated strapless huggie bag that can easily be clutched under your arm or carried by hand. Cool, chic, and slightly edgy, some might say that giant purses like this are always in. 

Nothing says cozy chic quite like a furry accessory, and we are head-over-heels for this fuzzy huggie bag. Fun to dress up or down, you are the canvas when it comes to this trend, so don't scale back on the creativity. Try mixing textures, like sherpa and silk, for an added element of versatility.

The huggie can easily translate to a workplace accessory. Try an elevated texture in a classic, rich hue, like this chocolate brown. Pair your elegant huggie with a blouse in a shade from the same family, and don't forget the power of other simple accessories, like a thin, classic belt. The slouchy, retro vibe is always a winner. 

On the other end of the spectrum, we have the micro huggie, which makes just as much of an impact. There's something about going small that indicates your ability to go with the flow and adapt to only the necessities. A cute, woven design like the huggie above brings a fun, earthy texture to any outfit.

A structured huggie with wood and metal hardware brings about an entirely different energy than its slouchy, unstructured sister. A huggie like this is on the formal side and looks great with tailored pieces. There's not much of a need for jewelry, as a bag like this does a lot of the accessorizing for you.