Published in New York Social Diary – May 12, 2026
While the headgear remains the headline of the Hat Lunch, the “public theatre” extends right down to the handles. This year, the crowd styled their handbags with a blend of heritage and playfulness:
Archetypes from Hermes, Chanel, Bottega, and Dior dominated the scene, many reimagined in a palette of soft pastels. Even the most structured classics felt personal, updated with dangling trinkets and artfully twisted scarves.
Fitting for the Conservatory Garden, flowers and blossoms were a recurring motif. Basket purses were out in force, alongside textures of woven natural fibers and seeds. Pearls, encrusted gems, and high-shine finishes — punctuated by hits of fringe — added a necessary layer of luncheon sparkle.
Several of the fashion-conscious opted for high-impact coordination, matching their bags directly to their garments in bursts of bold primary colors.
And it wouldn’t be the Hat Lunch without a touch of the literal. Whimsical novelty purses — from birdcages and deconstructed boxes to rhinestone “cell phones” and pet pooches — offered a final flourish of fun.
Carrying the Day: The Handbag of the Hat Lunch – May 12, 2026