There’s no better time than summer to bring some much-needed whimsy into your wardrobe—and this season, playful accessorizing is everywhere. From candy-colored beaded necklaces to bug-eye sunglasses and nostalgic sandals, personality-packed pieces are defining the mood, whether you’re jetting off to the Mediterranean for a Euro summer getaway or just dressing like it. The latest novelty piece reeling in the fashion set? Fish-shaped bags.

Summer 2025 was defined by the rise of the “Sardine Girl” aesthetic, which ushered in a wave of fishy fashion finds, from Staud’s cult-favorite beaded sardine tin bag to sardine-print dresses and beachy necklace charms. But this summer, the trend is evolving beyond the tinned fish craze. Thankfully for the sardine-averse, there’s a whole school of fish-shaped bags making a splash this season, spanning everything from raffia beach totes to sculptural silver and gold clutches fit for the evening. The latest wave of aquatic accessories feels a little more whimsical, a little more polished—and unmistakably statement-making.

A growing roster of cool-girl favorite brands—from Damson Madder to Simon Miller and beyond—are diving headfirst into the fish bag craze, each offering their own spin on the whimsical accessory trend. “As a brand, we always try to inject playfulness into our design process; it’s something our customers know and love us for,” Emma Hill, founder of Damson Madder, said. “There’s always more room to push that irreverence for spring/summer, when silhouettes feel easier and accessories can become even more expressive. The Damson Madder girl especially responds to the levity and wit woven throughout our design language.”

It’s not just raffia totes and vacation-ready bags defining the style. Sculptural silver and gold fish clutches have been circulating across social feeds on the arms of style influencers, proving the fish bag works just as well for evening as it does for the beach. Small accessories label Vin has taken the trend into luxe territory with its cult-favorite “Fishy” clutch, which retails for $625 and is currently sold out across most styles.

What began as a playful offshoot of the sardine girl aesthetic is quickly solidifying into one of this summer’s defining handbag stories. Whether done in raffia, resin, or polished metal, fish-shaped bags tap into fashion’s ongoing appetite for more humor, fun and statement-making design without sacrificing polish. As designers continue to lean into whimsy, expect the category to expand into more unexpected bag shapes and silhouettes. But for now, it’s clear that fashion is swimming with the fish this summer. 

Shop The Best Fish Bags of Summer 2026