Spoiler Alert: These Affordable Handbag Trends Will Be Everywhere Come September
As a handbag hoarder, I can speak from experience when I say there isn't anything quite as satisfying as pulling your fall and winter purses out of storage. Whether it's a $500 suede bucket bag or a $50 shearling-lined baguette, fall handbag trends are some of my favorites to play around with and introduce back into my seasonal wardrobe. It can, however, prove extremely difficult if you're like me and want the latest, shiniest It bags and purse trends after seeing them go viral on Instagram. (Trust me—neither my closet nor my credit card can take another hit!)
Thankfully, if you're in the market for a new handbag this fall, every must-have style feels extremely versatile and rewearable, and if you dig deep enough, you can find them on a sweet budget. Personally, I tend to invest a little bit more into my purses than other items thanks to my nitpicky attitude about leather, stitching, and construction. To be honest, though, there are some swoon-worthy finds coming in under $350 that I'm already salivating over.
Below, shop the five biggest handbag trends of the fall, including wallet-friendly options you won't have to think twice about. No buyer's remorse here!
Woven Leather Bags
Bottega Veneta's Intrecciato leather handbags are still massively popular. Not only is a high-quality leather bag a great investment no matter the price point, but it's also incredibly timeless thanks to its no-frills quiet-luxury design.
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Faux-Croc Bags
There's something so chic about croc-embossed leather as the weather gets colder. If you're looking to splurge, this long clutch from Saint Laurent is impeccable. On the other hand, vegan leather can have the same stylish effect at a fraction of the price.
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Red Bags
Red isn't just reserved for runway garments anymore. The bright hue is creeping into every element of fall 2023 fashion trends, including accessories and, notably, adorable handbags.
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Top-Handle Bags
Sofia Richie Grainge would be proud of this one. Sleek, understated top-handle bags are low-key making a comeback after micro bags and oversize tote bags have been reigning for far too long. While the Dior D-Joy Bag is a fun twist on the brand's iconic Lady Bag, any sleek top-handle bag will do.
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Bucket Totes
After seeing our editor Yusra wear this suede bucket bag, I was immediately sold on the rotund-tote trend that's set to go viral in September. Suede or not, an oversize throw-and-go tote looks especially chic when styled right, even more so if you're opting for high-quality leather or a neutral fabric to do the trick.
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Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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