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Ah, novelty purses. Kooky, kitschy and occasionally downright weird, one could say these eccentric little accessories are right on brand for me (and Lindsay Lohan, who got the memo with her Freakier Friday fortune cookie clutch). Sure, they’re not exactly practical — my pizza crossbody barely holds a tampon and the vintage telephone bag I won in an online auction still smells like mothballs — but their whimsy also brings me a whole lot of joy.
Even when they give me pause or make me scratch my head (yes, I am referring to the $275 Kate Barton goldfish bag I desperately want that holds exactly nothing), I still appreciate them for their ability to make me feel something.
It’s in that spirit that I’ve devoted my morning to tracking down the most batshit crazy novelty bags you can buy. Sure, there will be those who can’t comprehend the purpose behind, say, a cat-shaped clutch or a leaf purse, but in the words of Nikolas Bentel (a.k.a. the mastermind behind The Pasta Bag), “For those of you asking, ‘Why? Why design a pasta bag?” my reply is simply, Why not?’ F*ck it. It’s a bag now.”
It’s a bag now, indeed.
The Best Novelty Purses of 2026
1. Nikolas Bentel The Pasta Bag 3.0
You can’t get my Nikolas Bentel pasta bag 3.0 anymore, which is a damn shame, because this De Cecco farfalle-inspired purse just may be my favorite bag I’ve ever owned. In addition to being completely adorable, it’s also super high-quality, with a sturdy magnetic flap closure and a luxe leather feel and a chic little pasta-shaped charm. You *can* get the next best thing, however, in this Betsey Johnson spaghetti clutch ($128).
2. Betsey Johnson Baguette About It Bag
This bag made my heart skip a beat at first sight, and I love it even more in person. It’s printed to look exactly like a baguette, with all of the holes, cracks and intricacies of the bread, and the slab of “butter” that hangs from the zipper is the cutest little detail you ever did see. Believe it or not, it’s also highly functional—just the right size for toting essentials. It also happens to go with everything, so naturally, it’s high up in my current rotation. Find me wearing it everywhere this summer.
3. Kate Spade NYC 3D Taxi Crossbody
I’ve never been stopped more on the street more than I was wearing this taxi purse on the streets of Chicago. The trunk opens up to hold all your goods (it’s *quite* roomy, if I do say so myself), and it adds the perfect pop of color to any outfit. Sadly, it’s also totally sold out—the closest match I found was this beaded version ($368) from Susan Alexandra.
4. JW Pei Eleanor Grapes Clutch
I spotted Cult Gaia’s $598 version of this clutch on one of my favorite influencers, Coco Schiffer, during fashion week, and immediately had to have it. My novelty bag budget does have its limits, however, so I ordered this JW PEI one during the brand’s Memorial Day sale instead and hoped for the best. Let me just say: It couldn’t be more beautiful in person. The little stem is perfectly curved to use as a handle, and its resin construction is nice and sturdy. 10 out of 5 stars.
5. Betsey Johnson A Big Dill Bag
Betsey knocked it out of the park with this pickle-shaped piece, which, as the name suggests, is kind of “a big dill.” It’s a bit bigger than the baguette, which makes it easier to stuff my iPhone 16 Pro inside, and there are subtle green rhinestones across the front acting as the pickle’s tubercles. (Those are the pickle’s little bumps, in case you, like me, were unaware.) There’s also a little pickle slice at the zipper and a sweet heart detail halfway down the chain. My only complaint? The chain isn’t on this one exactly the most comfy, but it’s worth if for the overall effect.
6. JW Pei Kiara Cat Clutch
People have *so* many questions when this little beauty comes out to play. “Is it real?” No. “Where does it ‘open’?” In the middle of its back. “Does it hold anything?” A surprising amount—it’s completely hollow inside, so you can easily sneak in a pair of keys, a lipgloss, a sunscreen and some credit cards. P.S.—if this kitty is a little too over the top for you, there’s a more demure black cat version, too.
7. Staud Palm Leather Purse
This summery bag is much smaller than I had anticipated — my iPhone 16 Pro pokes out from the top— but it’s also one of my most-used accessories. The green just seems to magically go with everything, and the unique leaf shape zhuzhes up even the most boring of ensembles. There’s a little suede insert that keeps its contents (mostly) concealed (though you can also remove it for more space in a pinch).
8. Kate Spade Glitzy Ritzy Newspaper Clutch
Extra, extra! As a journalist, this gorgeous paper clutch speaks to my soul. It’s essentially the Carrie dress (you know the John Galliano masterpiece of which I speak) in bag form. The exterior truly feels like paper (for the love of god, don’t get it wet!), but the PU lining makes it sturdy enough not to collapse under the weight of your belongings. Its headlines are made up, but honestly? They’re more appealing than the actual news, anyway. It’s been sold out for ages, but if you can swing it, this Moschino version, $2,000, certainly gives it a run for its money.
9. Kate Spade Slice 3D Pizza Crossbody
I’ve had this little beauty for a few years now, and it’s still a favorite. I tend to save it for more special occasions, since it’s so fancy (the entire thing is covered in crystals and the “pepperonis” are made of sequins). It’s also not the bag to bring along when you’ve got a lot to carry—it zips open at the “crust” and has quite a slim profile. We’re talking a few cards in the slots, a lipgloss and *maybe* a pared-down set of keys if you’re lucky. Still… she’s awfully pretty.
10. Lodis Love Crossbody Bag
Every designer and the brother has seemingly tried their hand at a heart bag at some point or another: Kate Spade had one bag in the day. Hearts Valley sells one for $125. JW Pei has its own version. But none of them have impressed me quite like Lodis’s. See, as much as i like my kitsch, I still like my pieces to look high-quality—not cartoon-ish. This is the only heart bag I’ve seen that checks my boxes—the leather is super luxe, and little details, like the looped bag charm, give it that extra-special touch.
11. Vintage ’80s Telephone Purse
I’m completely enamored with this vintage telephone booth bag, which has an actually jack inside to connect it to service. The handle has a little holder for the receiver, and you can unvelcro it to pick it up for use. Honestly, this bag is an icon, but it’s on the more delicate side (it is some 40 years old, after all), so I don’t use it nearly as often as i’d like.
12. Betsey Johnson Kitsch Nice Buns Bag
I debated buying this one for a good long while, mainly due to its height: Let’s just say this burger bag (are you sensing a food theme yet?) is not for the faint of heart. It’s bigger than my head, and I was worried it might look, oh, I don’t know, less chic, more ridiculous? While I’ll admit it’s rather cumbersome to wear, it’s also really fun. The sequin burger meat keeps it from looking cheap, and the little pickle adds a nice finishing touch to the zipper. It also holds an absolute ton, so long as your stuff fits the unique shape. This one’s only available on eBay at this point, but JW Pei has a similar style ($229) with resin construction if you’ve got your heart set on one.
13. Mango Shell Clutch
Practical, this shell clutch not. It’s on the heavier side, and the chain strap digs into my collarbone a bit. But if beauty is pain, fashion is discomfort, and I’m willing to endure it for the seashell aesthetic (so trendy!). There’s no clasp—it closes via two super strong magnets on the inside—but mine arrived with the magnets attached together, so the bag wouldn’t close right. Luckily, I have a very handy boyfriend who was able to save the day to keep my stuff from spilling out all over the place when I finally find the perfect thing to wear this with. A more practical option, since mine has sold out, might be this Lula Collection shell bag at Anthropologie ($70), which gives off the same vibes and has a similar price point.
What’s your dream novelty bag? Tell me in the comments below.
Xo, Nicole
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