From Balenciaga to Mango, Edgy Handbags Are Taking Over Fall 2022
When it comes to designer It bags, nothing will ever replicate the original. But in the wake of Balenciaga's Le Cagole handbags and their meteoric rise to fame this year, an entire suite of edgy styles has been born. When the brand released the 2022 update to its beloved Y2K-era City Bag, the fashion world embraced it in full force. Suddenly, we spotted it in the hands of celebrities all over the world, and it graduated to It-item status almost as soon as it hit the shelves.
In fact, the bag's meteoric rise is behind a spike in similarly hardware-laden handbags full of buckles, studs, grommets, and claps of all kind. Yep, handbags are getting edgier this fall and with so many options to choose from now, there's most certainly a style for everyone, whether you'd consider your style to be grungy or not. Keep scrolling to see the edgy handbags that are defining cool carryalls for 2022 (and beyond), from Balenciaga's world-famous shoulder bag to the affordable options Mango and Zara are serving.
After the popularity of Balenciaga's heavily embellished Le Cagole line, its sleeker and more minimal Lindsay Shoulder Bag feels especially fresh.
The hardware-laden bag that sparked a movement.
And of course, the OG 2000s-era bag that started it all.
This slouchy shape is ideal for an everyday carryall.
A secondhand gem that won't be on the market for much longer.
Take off the chain for a more streamlined look, or keep it on for an eye-catching detail.
Just when we thought we'd seen every Cagole bag on the planet.
Next: Sorry, But These 7 Winter Handbag Trends Didn't Quite Make the Cut This Year
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.