Full disclosure: You may find yourself drooling over this year's best bag trends. The accessories game was strong on both the fall/winter ready-to-wear and Haute Couture runways, and the bags were especially on point. Fashion's biggest designers took risks with color, shape, and size, delivering some of the best purses, clutches, and totes we've seen in years.
Many designers doubled down on spring and summer's most coveted bag trends. Mini-bags somehow got tinier, while roomy totes were supersized. Crystal bags reached new levels of glitz, while bucket bags appeared with sleeker silhouettes. Already tempting trends like metallics, as well as quilted and woven bags, appeared in new finishes, and colors were ultra-saturated.
Suffice it to say, it was difficult to narrow down our faves, but we managed to round up 14 of the best and brightest bag trends for fall.
Full Circle
Sculpted heels were a major fall shoe trend, and it seems that designers tapped into their creativity for bags as well. Spherical statement bags were spotted in the Bottega Veneta and Chanel collections, as well as the Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture show. Chanel applied its signature camellia to its statement handbag, while other designs opted for a smoother effect.
Micro Minis
It seemed like every designer who dropped a fall collection this year gave one of its bags themini-me treatment. Structured satchels and embellished handbags reached new levels of miniaturization, and MM6 Maison Margiela, Paco Rabanne, and Akris. Valentino. Stella McCartney, Versace, and GCDS also delivered their takes on the tiny bag trend. Gorg? But good luck fitting your iPhone.
Supersized Totes
Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, Loewe, and A.W.A.K.E Mode all sent toddler-sized totes down the runways. Of all the supersized styles, we found ourselves most drawn to Versace and A.W.A.K.E Mode's high-shine versions of this larger-than-life trend.
Weaving and Wicker
We often think of woven raffia and wicker bags as summer staples, but Loewe, Off-White, and Coperni proved they work year-round with a few design tweaks. At Loewe and Coperni, a deep color palette was applied to leather and wicker. Off-White's sunny bag featured woven details rather than an overall style, a concept also spotted at Loewe and Miu Miu.
Chain Gang
While chain strap bags are far from a new concept, they're often delicate and seen attached to crossbody styles. Stella McCartney, A.W.A.K.E. Mode, and GCDS took a fresh approach, sending bags with chain straps as thick as bike chains down the runway.
Disco Ball Bling
Amid the endless array of embellished bags, rhinestone-encrusted purses managed to stand out. The silver snaffle hardware turned the sparkle factor all the way up on Gucci's rhinestone baguette bags, while Balmain's statement rhinestone mini bag glowed with gold details.
Spikes and Studs
The spiked and studded bags spotted at Moschino, Valentino, and Weinsanto added sharp edges to wildly different silhouettes, from mini-bags to structured trunks and soft shoulder bags
Night-Blooming Flowers
Chilly temps always bring along moody prints and patterns, but designers like Christian Dior and Elie Saab gave the trend a cool floral treatment. From black-on-black leather blooms to metallic embroidery set on black satin, the vibe was a cross between Wednesday and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Going Clear
Concert-ready clear bags were spotted throughout fall shows, but the smooth curves and vintage-inspired styles seen at Gucci and antique frame effect at Kimhekim were especially luxurious. However, the Most Playful Clear Bag superlative goes to GCDS's glitzy see-through minibag, which features a telephone as the handle.
Baroque Bling
Even when the models wore minimal jewelry, they carried bags adorned with brooches, delicate gold chains, and charms. At Paco Rabanne, mini bags were given the Byzantine gold jewelry treatment, while Moschino decked its shoulder bags out in bling, crown jewel style.
Bucket Bags
It's hard to improve upon a classic bag, but Bottega Veneta, Hermès, and Etro knocked it out of the park with their sleek, streamlined bucket silhouettes. With a bit more structure than you're used to and a range of functional sizes to choose from, these bucket bags are best-in-class.
Trunk Show
Trunk bags are another classic style that received a modern update this fall. Louis Vuitton created tortoiseshell contrast with resin and creamsicle-colored trim, while Elie Saab went for all-over neon.
Handle with Care
No shade to shoulder bags or clutches, but top-handle bags might be in their Hot Girl Era. Creative styles were spotted at Ester Manas, Ferragamo, and Bottega Veneta, where the latest version of the viral Sardine bag debuted.