There was no singular silhouette that dominated fall/winter 2023’s handbag trends; in fact, designers expounded on every single design element imaginable.
Size-wise, we are being challenged once again to go big or go home with totes of XXL proportions—not an entirely new proposition, but still a thrilling idea for holding one’s entire life in a single carryall. Spring/summer 2023’s relaxed shapes have also given way to more boxy, structured designs this fall; tiny sculptures in motion that are perfect for adding gravitas to slouchy coats and oversized knitwear.
Mirroring one of the biggest fall fashion trends in the accessories department is texture. Tactile plays aren’t entirely surprising—after all, there’s no better time than the winter months to embrace sumptuous fabrics like shearling and suede to add some warmth back into a vitamin D-deficient wardrobe. Another overarching theme between the ready-to-wear and handbag collections is color—pops of red and metallic, to be precise. These may be festive classics, but thanks to the designs seen at Coperni, Chanel, and Jacquemus, they read more elevated than ever.
Creative directors are, of course, known to look back in time for archival inspiration, and this season saw a number of legacy houses, from Gucci to Fendi and Dior, revisit some of their iconic logos and most coveted silhouettes. A Vogue favorite is the reimagined Gucci Horsebit shoulder bag—a nod to the Tom Ford era—available in a multitude of colors and in small and large sizes. For those simply keen on adding a practical style to their capsule wardrobe, there are plenty of stealth wealth options worth investing in; Khaite and The Row are a great place to start if you want a bag to carry you from fall straight through spring.
Bookmark all the top handbag trends that walked the runways, below—then shop your favorite styles to see you through all your cold-weather adventures.
Modern Classics
The curvilinear shapes of season’s past have made room for more boxy silhouettes to stand out this fall. Prada, Tory Burch, and Ferragamo are at the forefront of this change, delivering structured top handles with day-to-night wearability. The Row’s Dalia bag—available in a number of finishes, from suede to patent leather—is a Vogue editor must-have for the season, though, if you find yourself at the halfway point between minimalism and maximalism, make sure to check out Ferragamo’s take with its cherry red lucite handle.
Pop of Red
Crimson, cherry, candy apple red—fashion’s love for the power hue continues with a slew of bold bags as seen at Chanel, Coperni, and Alexander McQueen. Dreamed up in an array of shapes and sizes, statement pieces like these will take the guesswork out of how to wear the hue this season.
Is That Vintage?
You’ll want to take a closer look at what’s in your closet (or your mom’s or grandma’s) because a number of heritage labels—Dior, Fendi, and Gucci, to name a few—are reviving archival logo prints and shapes. We love them all equally, but Gucci’s Horsebit chain shoulder bag (in the small size for versatility) might just be what we want for the holidays most.
Precious Metals
All that shimmers really is gold…and silver. Metallics—prominent on the runways at Dries Van Noten and Givenchy and equally popular among the street style set—are also revisited by contemporary labels Staud and Hereu, who put the Midas touch on signature styles such as the Ollie and Bombon bag, respectively. Pair these iridescent hues with classic fall textures like mohair and cashmere for the ultimate tactile play.
Fall Textures
Textures are a natural fit for the Fall/Winter collections—and this season, designers have really leaned into touch-me-now fabrics—think cozy shearling at Proenza Schouler, prickly suede at Loewe, and sumptuous suede at Toteme and J.Crew.
Girl On-the-Go
A new era of supersized totes is upon us, and you have Khaite, The Row, and Burberry to thank for marrying practicality with aesthetic appeal. Not only are these great work bag contenders (think of all the room for laptops!), but in the case of Khaite’s luxe weekender or Proenza Schouler’s felted tote, they’re excellent travel companions as well. These pieces aren’t meant for shoulder-carrying only, but practically pulled across the chest; slung supremely low on the hip if Daniel Lee at Burberry has his way.
Chain Reaction
Once again, jewelry-like bag straps prove their staying power, from thin and delicate at Khaite to big and chunky at JW Anderson. Elsewhere, Stella McCartney brings two-tone metals into the mix, while Loewe keeps it cool with silver only hardware. Smaller chains are perfectly suited for nighttime, but we love the cool-girl edge the heavier links bring to more casual ensembles.