16 Cool Drawstring Bags to Carry This Fall

Drawstring bags have come a long way from the polyester backpacks you used to tote to gym class. The simple closure has become a bona fide street style trend, turning up on everything from embellished pouches to sturdy leather carryalls.

It's a natural evolution from the ultra-minimal handbags of recent seasons (think Mansur Gavriel's bucket bags or Everlane's market totes), eschewing heavy hardware while giving your valuables a little extra security. It's also surprisingly versatile: Nylon and leather styles look sleek and sporty, while satin and velvet versions recall vintage evening purses. Some, like Alexander Wang's rhinestone-encrusted pouch, even manage to do both.

The best part of the trend, though, may be its relative affordability: Even the designer styles ring up well under $1000, and others, like Zara's and Madewell's, are less than $200.

Below, shop 16 of our favorite drawstring bags of the season.