Breakfast, But Make It Bags

From grocery runs in designer Chanel to decoding the next global it-bag, Shay Prasad—aka the mind behind Bags for Breakfast—has a gift for making luxury feel personal, playful, and wildly wearable. Known for pairing covetable handbags with breakfast moodboards (yes, really), Shay has built a cult following by reminding us that everyday style doesn’t need rules—it needs joy. In this Q&A, the handbag expert dishes on the vintage bag that changed everything, why archival silhouettes are the future, and how to build a bag wardrobe that actually fits your life (and your phone, chapstick, and wallet). —Noa Nichol

Style Starter: You’re known for pairing bags with breakfast moodboards—what was the first designer bag that truly changed the way you think about everyday style?

That would definitely be one of my first ever designer handbag purchases – which was a vintage Chanel quilted bucket bag. The way I thought about every day style changed when I began wearing it every day. I bought this bag thinking it would be my “occasion” bag – but I had so much fun styling it, I didn’t want it sitting in my closet waiting for an event to be worn. And one day I realized – I can wear this bag with my sweatsuit to the grocery store if I like how it looks and if I feel good. So I did. My “occasion bag” became my every day bag.

We think everyday style has to be “toned down”. But the reality is that everyday style is different for everyone. Everyday style is wearing whatever it is that makes you feel happy, confident, and comfortable – the Chanel bag helped me realize this.

Year of the Bag: If you had to name one bag silhouette that defined 2025, what would it be—and why was it everywhere?

One! There’s so many! But if I had to pick…from my viewpoint, it was the “East/West” shape that took over 2025. I always say – if it has a lot of dupes, then you know it’s an it-bag. Alaïa’s “Le Teckel” was released in late 2023, but 2025 was the year it was everywhere. And if you don’t know what bag I’m talking about – give it a quick google, and I’ll bet you’ll recognize it. Not necessarily from the bag itself, but from the sheer amount of dupes that we saw from various brands.

As for why? I wish I knew! There are so many layers that go into the making of a trend – celebrity influence, timing, pop culture. For the Le Teckel? It was just the perfect combination of all those factors.

It Bag Forecast: Looking ahead to 2026, which bag style do you predict will become the next it bag for fashion obsessives around the world?

When I think about 2026 bag trends it’s not a specific style I see but rather, the trend of “what’s old is new again.” We have been seeing so many re-releases of archival bags – Balenciaga’s City Bag, Chloé’s Paddington Bag, Fendi’s Spy Bag, to name a few. Designers are noticing that consumers are looking backwards to find their next big purchase. So while I can’t say exactly what style I see being the next “it” bag – I can say that for us fashion obsessives? We want archival. It’s the trend of having “the bag that was big in the year 2000.” That’s what we’re after for 2026.

Local Love: Are there any Canadian or emerging designers making bags that you think deserve way more attention?

I am absolutely, positively in love with A Bronze Age. I am a fairly strict second-hand shopper – so when I do buy something new, I want it to be ethical and sustainable. Everything A Bronze Age makes is made-to-order – meaning there are no unsold items ever on their way to the landfill. Also, handmade in Vancouver – does it get any better?!

A personal favourite of mine is the dumpling bag. Its genius is in its simplicity – no matter the colour, I swear it goes with everything, and it can be styled a few different ways.

Wearability vs. Wow: How do you balance form and function when choosing a bag you actually carry every day?

This ties back to my mindset on everyday style in that the relationship between form and function will vary for everyone. But for me? It’s simple – if a bag can fit my phone, my chapstick, and my wallet, it’s an everyday bag.

Trend Shift: We’ve seen micro bags and oversized totes alternate in popularity—what do you think the next size story will be?

While I think the micro bag trend was very fun (it felt like we were in the 20’s – carrying minaudières more as accessories rather than pieces to actually hold our items) I do find that more and more people are searching for functionality. So if we swung from teeny tiny bags, to ludicrously capacious bags in the last couple of years…that must mean that the good old medium sized bag is up next in the spotlight. Not too big, not too small, just right and perfectly functional.

Color Crush: Are there bag colours or materials you see rising next year that will break through beyond classic black and neutrals?

Oh my gosh – yes. I think mixed materials, textures and colours are on the rise. So, not one specific colour or material, but rather, unexpected pairings of each. A good reference of this is Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2026 handbags – we see their classic Peekaboo in a timeless black leather. Open it up – and it’s a sea of purple sequins inside. Another example would be Loewe Spring/Summer 2026 – we see their classic Flemenco in a nude beige, but with pops of red, yellow and black layered in the opening. It makes me so excited to see.

Digital Influence: How has TikTok and Instagram changed the way bags become viral—do you see any patterns in what makes a bag breakout online?

When I was in high school, I’d see my favourite celebrity with a bag in Teen Vogue – and, while there’s no chance at 15 years old I could buy one of those bags, I’d absolutely go to bed dreaming about it. Today, nothing has changed – except maybe it’s not your favourite celebrity, it’s your favourite influencer. And maybe it’s not a print magazine, it’s their Tik Tok review or Instagram story.

So, no – I don’t think social media has necessarily changed the way a bag becomes viral, it’s just changed the platform. I do, however, think that more bags have a “viral moment” because there are just more creators in the world than there ever were print magazines. More creators mean more opportunities for more bags to be discovered.

Investment Pieces: For someone building a timeless bag wardrobe, what three classic shapes or brands should they invest in first?

Before beginning to build a timeless bag wardrobe – I’d suggest someone do a deep dive on their current wardrobe. Try things on, and take note of what colours, materials, and styles make them feel happy, comfortable, and confident. I think a big mistake many of us make is that we buy something simply because we’re told to, not necessarily because we like it. And if we don’t like it, it won’t be timeless. We live in an age of influence, where really knowing your personal style is difficult because we’re exposed to so much all the time.

So start with a wardrobe audit. Get really clear on your likes and dislikes. This can be hard – but this is what will make a lasting, timeless collection. Once that’s done, I suggest a small bag for dinners, a medium bag for day-to-day, and a large carryall for travel to-and-from. Those are three shapes that vary enough to ensure a well-rounded, timeless wardrobe is created.

Wonderwall: If you could curate a dream wall of bags for 2026, what three bags (any price point) would definitely be front and centre—and why?

This would be a dream come true! First I’d want a vintage Birkin 40 in a deep red. Vintage, because I love a slouchy, worn-in Birkin. Red, and size 40 because I have no red bags at the moment, and I am finding that I’m lacking in the big-bag department.

Second would be a Chloé Beaded Bracelet bag. Released in 2002 under Pheobe Philo, this bag is very unique and unlike anything I own. It’s also reselling around the $6k mark…so if I could snap my fingers and have this just appear on my dream wall that’d be great.

Lastly, I’d add a Dior Gaucho bag, specifically in cream. Released in 2006 under John Galliano, the Gaucho has a masculine edge to it, and as most of my bags read more feminine, this would be a great addition. And why cream? Simply because ever since I saw the image of the cream version on the 2006 runway, I can’t get it out of my head. And that’s reason enough for me!