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Top Beaded Bags Under $300
Considering the takeover of bag charms and shoe charms paired with the meteoric rise of Labubus, it’s no surprise that one of summer 2025’s biggest bag trends is shaping up to be just as playful as its accessory counterparts. Rounding out a resurgence of nostalgic trends taking us back to our youth — from jelly sandals to anklets and flip-flops — beaded bags are emerging as summer’s buzziest bag. Although the accessory has been a longtime favorite of fashion insiders and downtown cool girls alike, thanks to brands like Susan Alexandra and Staud, TikTok’s current quest to find the best beaded bags for summer proves the trend is officially reaching new heights.
It all started with a viral beaded lobster bag that took over TikTok this past spring. The $34.99 find sent thousands flocking to TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores across the country, with the #lobsterbag and #beadedbag hashtags racking up over 15 million views collectively. The lobster bag craze led to a TikTok-wide scavenger hunt for beaded bags in general, with hundreds of users documenting their shopping hauls through the aisles of TJ Maxx in search of any colorful beaded bags they can find. Naturally, the original lobster design segued into an array of whimsical motifs capturing the spirit of summer, from cherries to sea turtles and the sardine craze. The consensus? The beaded bag is no longer a niche accessory — it’s this season’s breakout star.
Beaded bags have been gaining traction off TikTok’s for you page feeds, too. Gigi Hadid recently donned a beaded Staud bag to an event in New York, opting for the brand’s viral Tommy bag in a colorful rainbow beaded style with a white mini dress and yellow flip-flops. The look was a culmination of the whimsical, kid-friendly throwback trends currently taking center stage in fashion.
Gigi Hadid carrying Staud’s beaded Tommy Bag at a Havianas event in New York.
Brendon Cook/BFA.com
As evidenced by the spring 2025 runways, the beaded bag trend also plays into fashion’s return to maximalism. From Alessandro Michele’s debut at Valentino to layers of jewel tones and brocade at Saint Laurent, the more is more mentality is back. And what better way to experiment with that for summer than with fun beaded bags that amp up the color and pattern play?
If you weren’t able to get your hands on the TikTok-viral lobster beaded bag or you don’t have the energy to trudge through the aisles of TJ Maxx, the good news is there are plenty of beaded bags you can shop online now that get the trend just right. From Staud’s coveted sardine bag to maximalist-friendly styles that embrace summer colors, these are the best beaded bags to shop for under $300 now — no TikTok scavenger hunt required.
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Shop the Best Beaded Bags for Summer
Staud Tommy Beaded Bag
Considering the fisherman aesthetic is one of summer’s hottest trends, it’s no surprise that a sardine-clad style was one of the first beaded bags to go viral on TikTok. Staud is delivering big on both the beaded bag and the sardine front this season, with not one but two options: this colorful beaded sardine pattern as well as a beaded bag in the form of a can of sardines. And if canned fish aren’t your thing, Staud’s Tommy Beaded Bag (which was recently spotted on Gigi Hadid), comes in a ton of fun beaded styles, from beach bum designs to garden vegetables for those leaning more into a Martha Stewart summer aesthetic.
Anthropologie The Fiona Beaded Bag
What happens when tomato girl summer meets the beaded bag trend? You get this very sweet, statement-making accessory to top off all your warm weather looks. Anthropologie’s Fiona Beaded Bag comes in a ton of playful prints and colors, but this tomato-adorned style is perfect for channeling a more rustic, Nancy Meyers aesthetic this season. It has been deemed Martha Stewart Summer as well, after all.
YUSHINY Candy Color Acrylic Beaded Bag
This vibrant green mini beaded bag is the perfect accessory for all your summer vacation ‘fits, from linen white pants in the daytime to silky slip dresses by night. And at just $25, it’s an affordable way to tap into the trend.
LSpace Rocky Wood Beaded Bag
Calling all the neutral girlies: this one’s for you. While the beaded bag trend tends to favor bright colors and fun patterns, this wooden beaded bag offers a more muted take on the look without sacrificing any style or fun. The round handle and natural and black beads add a touch of understated glam for summer, and yes, it also makes the perfect vacation bag, too.
Susan Alexandra Watermelon Beaded Bag
You can’t talk about beaded bags without mentioning Susan Alexandra’s colorful, kitschy bags that have been favorites of fashion insiders and cool girls alike for several seasons now. Channeling the essence of a summer picnic, this watermelon beaded bag is a fun, sweet accessory to work into your warm-weather wardrobe rotation.
LK Bennett Mini Faux Pearl Tote
Meet the elevated take on the beaded bag trend: pearl bags. This mini pearl tote from LK Bennett is equal parts sophisticated and playful for a dressier approach to the accessory trend. From wedding guest attire to weekend brunches, style it with all your special occasion looks this season, and keep it as a year-round evening bag beyond that. The polka dot lining is another bonus, also tapping into one of the hottest prints of the season.
Moda Luxe Dolly Evening Bag
Available in a range of bold, summer-ready colors, this evening bag can be carried with a top handle or worn as a crossbody bag. The mini size and convertible strap makes it ideal for day-to-night wear, and you can guarantee this bright orange hue will pack a punch to all your summer ‘fits.
Zara Beaded Mini Bucket Bag
The entire point of the beaded bag trend? Fun. This maximal bag delivers just that in a two-tone colorway and mushroom pattern that goes 3D with the beads for extra movement and flair. The scrunched silky handle is just the cherry on top.
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Meet the Author
Lauren Alexis Fisher is the Senior Style Commerce Editor at WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stories. Previously, she served as Senior Editor at Cosmopolitan and Market Editor at Harper’s BAZAAR, where she oversaw digital content from fashion features to news and product reviews. With over a decade of experience as a digital fashion editor, she’s an expert in scouring the internet for the greatest emerging brands, top-rated products, and latest trends to shop.