What Are The Trends in the Best Luxury Handbags This Fall?

What are the important and interesting trends in luxury designer handbags as we head into the fall season? Our ace correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has curated a list of the best designer luxury handbags of the fall this year.

is there any reason to buy a new luxury designer handbag this fall season?

I’m the first to admit that handbags are my favorite fashion category. But ever since the ides of March, even mine have been collecting dust.

With no offices to travel to, the work tote was rendered obsolete. No nights out with the girls; no need for clutches. In fact, like many denizens of the city, I’ve been riding a bicycle more at this point in my life than when I was 9 years old. And the bags I’ve been using? Sporty, functional backpacks and fanny packs to go along with my biker shorts and tie-dye tees. Who says youth is wasted on the young? You can always go back – at least in your mode of transportation and attire. Still, I can’t wait to look like a grown-up again. 

Luxury brands could never have predicted what was to come when they were designing and debuting their fall-winter collections several months ago. You know, in the Before Times.

So maybe these trends are a bit impractical for our current collective reality. But that’s what fashion is, dear reader! It helps us dream, imagine and hope for a day when we will be stepping out once again for first dates, birthday dinners at long tables and exciting work meetings. And for sure, we are nostalgic for our favorite kind of day: hopping around the city from a museum to a string of boutiques to a massage.

Here are the 7 handbags trends we are loving for just that kind of fall day.

What are the trends and best luxury designer fall Handbags this year?

1. Hobo

The quintessential 90’s handbag silhouette has been making a comeback. It’s defined by a slouchy, crescent shape that tucks under the arm. We know that for some, it’s still way too soon. But like the designers at Bottega Veneta, Tod’s and Brandon Maxwell, we’re feeling it. It’s easy, close to the body, and has an insouciant attitude that is perfect for any casual occasion.

•   Bottega Veneta turquoise leather shoulder pouch ($2,800)
•   Stella McCartney black Falabella scoop tote ($890)
•   Gabriel for Sach red canvas and leather panelled Saturno bag ($228)
•   Staud tan leather large island tote bag ($595)
•   Gucci Ophidia GG shoulder bag ($1,450)

2. Chains

Yes, chains do make bags heavier (as if we needed anything more to weigh us down). But we think of that shiny, thick metal hardware like jewelry. It’s practically a two-in-one: adding both instant polish and glamour. They were all over the runway from Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabbana, JW Anderson to Ulla Johnson.

•  Urban Expressions plum vegan leather crossbody ($70)
• Gucci navy Sylvie 1969 mini shoulder bag ($2,400)
• Clare V Sissy cat print frame bag ($325)
• Bottega Veneta orange chain cassette cross body ($3,800)

3. Quilted 

Quilting treatment on a leather handbag is hardly a trend – it’s just a classic and iconic statement. Thanks to luxury brands like Chanel and Dior, whose quilted bags just keep getting more valuable and investment worthy, this puffy look will always look stylish and sophisticated.

•    Burberry tan and black quilted tote bag  ($2,171)
•    Dior green Lady Dior bag ($4,400)
•    Balenciaga burgundy Touch B-plaque quilted-leather shoulder bag ($1,380)
•    Chanel grey Lady Pearly tote ($2,300)
•    APC red half moon bag ($257.50)

4. Fringe 

Prada, Givenchy, Christian Dior and Rochas all sent models swishing down the runway in fringe. So of course it made its way into handbags, too. In leather or suede, the look is pure boho fun.

•   Chloe white mini Marcie fringe satchel ($1,390)
•   The Attico pistachio green tassel mini tote bag ($715)
•   Balmain electric blue B-Buzz fringe suede baguette ($1,795)
•   Celine chestnut fringe bucket in suede calfskin ($1,750)

5. The pocket book

This vintage-inspired ladylike silhouette keeps sticking around. It’s become an essential staple  for its nostalgic charm. And also for its structured, clean lines. Chanel, Miu Miu, Lanvin and Balenciaga were all in. If you’re dressing in loose layers and slouchy silhouettes, there’s nothing like a proper pocket book to pull your look together.

•  DeMellier caramel nano Montreal bag ($395)
•  Balenciaga burgundy hourglass croc-embossed leather shoulder bag ($1,620)
•  Marc Cross avocado leather-trimmed top handle bag ($2,790)
•  Jil Sander black matte leather frame bag ($1,912)

6. Top handle totes

After roomy summer beach totes all summer, there’s just something about the crisp lines of the structured hand held tote that helps us get our act together. It’s chic and practical, and as shown at Marni, Prada, and Christian Dior, it’s the perfect canvas for high-quality materials and mesmerizing color and pattern.

• Clare V’s tan lizard tote with navy and red suede stripe ($535)
• Christian Dior green tie dye and metallic embroidered book tote ($2,750)
• Marni shearling mini museo soft tote ($1,610)
• Saint Laurent black studded suede and leather tote ($1,951)

7. Croc-embossed 

There’s something about the croc-embossed texture on a handbag that conveys instant luxury and attitude. From Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Dries Van Noten to Gucci–  this high-gloss 70’s attitude was all the rage. We love it as a vehicle for fall’s jewel tone colors.

•  Saint Laurent black crocodile effect leather cross body ($2,069)
•  By Far croc-embossed leather shoulder bag ($657)
•  Alexander McQueen pink croc-embossed leather pouch ($480)
•  Urban Expressions mustard vegan leather crossbody ($70)
•  Elleme hunter green croc-effect leather shoulder bag ($505)

What are the Best Luxury trends in Fall Handbags this year?

There you have it- 7 of our favorite fall handbag trends! What are you lusting after?

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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