I’ll Be Wearing These 4 Handbags This Autumn–Here’s How I’m Styling Them

There are many ways to build a fantastic outfit. Some people like to start with a mood or a colour palette, others with a silhouette or new trend. Many will argue that you should start from the ground up with a pair of shoes, but I believe there's a strong case for centering your look around a well-chosen handbag. They are, after all, one of the most important investments a stylish person can make. As a mainstay over years (if not decades), a handbag can be a permanent fixture in your wardrobe no matter the passing trends or time of year. A handbag can say a lot about a person and their lifestyle, so not all styles, sizes or finishes can suit everyone. What we can all agree on however, is that a classic bag—whether saddle, cross-body, hobo or otherwise—in a go-with-everything colour is something that you can rely upon time and time again. Which is why we're so thrilled to see Ralph Lauren's Polo ID handbags coming in for autumn—they are the very epitome of a timeless, elevated aesthetic, providing the core jumping off point for many an equally chic outfit. Taking cues from the brand's equestrian heritage, you'll find nods through the Bombay filled straps or stitching, the sumptuous Italian-sourced leather and outdoorsy colour palette.

Pictured: Ralph Lauren Polo ID Shoulder Bag and Saddle Bag

The brand is loved and trusted for its high quality craftsmanship and laser-sharp focus on the luxe wardrobe staples every closet can benefit from, and this range of Polo ID handbags is no exception. In fact, you'd be hard pushed to find such premium leather handbags elsewhere for such an impressive price point.

Let's start with the silhouettes: For those who like their everyday handbags to be neat and versatile, you'll find that either the saddle or envelope will work perfect to fling on over tailoring, dresses and much more. If you need something a little more capacious, the shoulder bag can carry everything but the kitchen sink and still manage to look completely effortless—it's particularly good when set against a bohemian dress. On the flip-side, if petite bags have become your go-to over the past few years, you have a great option in the Mini Shoulder Bag. It's a great option for carrying the bare minimum on those days when you just want to get out and go, and probably carry on well into the evening…

Pictured: Ralph Lauren Polo ID Saddle bag

The shades—cream, tan, burgundy, black (of course), chestnut brown—are the hues that never fail to look expensive, and also can be combined in all kinds of ensembles from neutral to vibrant, daytime to party hours.

So, with the theory of outfit-building from the bag first, below we show you the five key new Polo ID styles for the season as well as the precise ways we'd style them up. 

1. THE CLASSIC SADDLE

Style Notes: When you're searching for that extra touch of polish to bring a look together, a saddle is the one to beat. Compact yet deceptively roomy, a structured satchel instantly brings a professional edge to any given look, which means it fits as easily with a three-piece suit as it does with a pair of baggy jeans worn with a cosy knit.

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Style Notes: For a look that ticks all the boxes for the office as easily as it does for a weekend brunch or dinner with friends, just combine a blazer with wide-leg trousers and go!

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2. THE UPDATED HOBO

Style Notes: It's the kind of bag an artist would carry—this roomy-yet-slick shoulder bag is a versatile number, looking smart and yet entirely laid-back and fuss-free too. We'd wear it in an autumnal bohemian look with an artisanal dress, knee boots and a chunky belt with lashings of jewellery.

The adjustable strap on the Polo ID Shoulder Bag makes this bag even more tempting as you can wear it on your shoulder or across your body for a busy hands-free kind of day.

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Style Notes: With a patterned knit dress and mismatched tonal accessories full of texture, this is an autumnal look that will guarantee compliments yet feel entirely breezy to throw on.

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3. THE MINI BAG

Style Notes: Mini shoulder bags instantly lend themselves to a pared-back '90s evening vibe, so try combining your bijoux bag with a satin slip dress in a contrasting colour to really making an impact, and a biker jacket to toughen the look. This little style will be just as adorable for an off-duty moment with jeans and a blazer.

You can adjust the strap on this to turn it into a wristlet or remove it completely to become a clutch—genius!

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Style Notes: For that '90s supermodel look that oozes casual charm for an after-dark soirée you can take an eclectic approach with a mini bag in a contrasting colour.

4. THE ENVELOPE BAG

Style Notes: There's something about an envelope bag that conjures up a collegiate mood and therefore a suitably preppy outfit to go with it. Although a chain-strapped crossbody bag can work with all manner of wild and wonderful wardrobe combinations, the idea of a matchy-matchy bag-and-loafer look was too good to ignore.

The chain on this style can be doubled-up to make a shoulder bag or worn long as a cross-body style. Both the Envelope and the Saddle feature a magnetic teardrop fastening on the front flap, which provides a fast and easy closure.

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