The Fashion Memo

The Biggest Bag Trends For Fall

The ultimate shortcut to chic, a new bag is the perfect way to enter the new season. From petite pouches to luxuriously oversized totes, these are the six key trends you’re about to see everywhere

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Viktorija Tomasevic
Fashion
Beautifully ornate, embellished and bejeweled bags will be a hit this fall

The new ornate

Ornate textures and embellishments ruled the fall/winter 2026 runways, with beaded tunics, flapper-esque finishes and intricate jewelry inviting us to escape the everyday. Get ahead of the trend with one of two intricately embroidered styles by Dries Van Noten. Designed in softly structured shapes with resin top handles, they could easily be mistaken for prized vintage finds and will look just as good paired with jeans and a tee as they will with a cocktail dress. Additionally, magpies will love the shimmering chainmail of Rabanne’s ‘1969 Nano’ bag and the statement crystal embellishments decorating Erdem’s ‘Bloom’ clutch.

  • DRIES VAN NOTEN
    Bead-embellished printed leather-trimmed velvet tote
    $1,480.00
  • VALENTINO GARAVANI
    DeVain leather-trimmed sequined shoulder bag
    $3,900.00
  • RABANNE
    1969 Nano fringed beaded chainmail shoulder bag
    $2,050.00
  • DRIES VAN NOTEN
    Leather-trimmed floral-jacquard crossbody bag
    $1,025.00

Effortlessly oversized

If you like your bags luxuriously large, soft and slouchy, then you’re in luck because this season, designers have gone big on all three elements to create totes that will more than carry their own. Ideal for busy working weeks, Gucci’s ‘Paparazzo’ bag is crafted from supple black leather with signature striped webbing and gleaming horsebit hardware, plus it comes with a longer strap if you’d prefer to wear it crossbody. Elsewhere, Lié Studio’s ‘The Eva Weekend’ tote is understated enough to wear with everything from relaxed tailoring to denim and has ample space inside for a laptop, headphones and a change of clothes. Similarly, Bottega Veneta’s butter-soft intrecciato suede ‘Campana’ bag from our NET SUSTAIN edit is an effortlessly chic choice, whether you’re traveling or commuting to the office.

  • GUCCI
    Paparazzo medium leather shoulder bag
    $3,650.00
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Mombasa paneled leather-trimmed suede shoulder bag
    $4,300.00
  • THE ROW
    N/S Park medium suede tote
    $1,850.00
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Campana large Intrecciato suede shoulder bag
    $6,700.00
A luxurious large bag is the ultimate investment piece – ideal for your weekday commute and busy weekends
A bijou pouch is the chicest new addition to your arm-candy rotation

Petite pouches

Small but perfectly formed, a drawstring pouch in velvet, woven leather or silk will be every editor’s favorite way to finish an outfit this fall – and not just for evening. Granted, it might not seem like the most practical choice, but these pouches are perfect for days when you’re unencumbered by a laptop and only need life’s true essentials: your phone, credit card and lipstick. Style Sophie Buhai’s Art Deco-inspired ‘Teardrop’ pouch in beaded black satin or Bottega Veneta’s ‘Dustbag’ style with everything from slip dresses to tailoring and prepare to receive plenty of compliments.

  • VALENTINO GARAVANI
    Sequin and bead-embellished fringed velvet drawstring shoulder bag
    $5,200.00
  • SAVETTE
    Macrame bead-embellished suede-trimmed leather pouch
    $1,290.00
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Dustbag mini intrecciato leather pouch
    $1,850.00
  • VALENTINO GARAVANI
    Vlogo floral-print moire clutch
    $790.00
Expand your palette with the new season’s bold and bright bags

Color drench

From the bright primary shades that ruled the spring/summer runways to the sumptuous jewel tones saturating pre-fall’s palette, it’s never been easier to add color to your wardrobe. But if you aren’t quite sold on wearing it from head to toe, ease yourself in with an eye-catching accessory instead. Khaite’s ‘Olivia’ bag comes in tactile cherry-red suede and looks gorgeous paired with rose-pink and chocolate-brown separates. Alternatively, let neutral tailoring pop with Loewe’s ‘Flamenco Coil’ clutch in a clover-green colorway or Versace’s mustard-yellow ‘Vivienne’ bag.

  • VERSACE
    Vivienne logo-embellished suede clutch
    $2,980.00
  • LOEWE
    Flamenco Coil mini leather clutch
    $3,900.00
  • FERRAGAMO
    Hug leather shoulder bag
    $2,500.00
  • FANE
    Bra patent leather shoulder bag
    $800.00

All white

A white bag is the ultimate palate cleanser – add one to an outfit you’ve worn on repeat for months and it will immediately feel new again. Plus, it goes with everything, so you needn’t worry about coordinating with other colors or finding shoes to match. Redesigned in a relaxed, open-top silhouette to mark the brand’s 180th anniversary, Loewe’s ‘Amazona 180’ comes in countless covetable colors and textures, but this woven leather version is particularly special. Wear it with relaxed tailoring to the office. As for evenings and weekends, opt for something neat and streamlined, like Khaite’s ‘Donna’ clutch or Gucci’s canvas-jacquard ‘Jackie 1961’ bag.

  • LOEWE
    Scarf mini knot-detailed leather shoulder bag
    $2,400.00
  • GUCCI
    Jackie Slim logo-jacquard leather-trimmed canvas shoulder bag
    $2,200.00
  • KHAITE
    Lamb leather clutch
    $2,680.00
  • SAVETTE
    Slim Symmetry canvas leather-trimmed clutch
    $1,490.00
For purists, you can’t go wrong with a bright white bag
Animal print is as chic and impactful as ever

Animal print

When it comes to animal print this season, the louder and more statement-making, the better – think big, bold leopard spots, tactile snake effects and graphic cowhide elevating everything from mini bags to oversized totes. At once on-trend and timeless, Marni’s ‘Pod’ tote comes in cow-print pony hair that’s guaranteed to give your outfit (and your mood) a boost, while Saint Laurent’s cheetah-print ‘Amalia’ tote is all you need to elevate a little black dress.

  • KHAITE
    Olivia medium snake-effect leather and suede bag
    $2,100.00
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Amalia medium leopard-print silk-satin tote
    $3,700.00
  • CHLOÉ
    Paddington python-effect locket-detail shoulder bag
    $2,690.00
  • TOTEME
    Lucky Wristlet leather-trimmed leopard-print calf hair shoulder bag
    $1,550.00

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