This month Cindy and I are talking fall bags! I’m sharing what is hot and what is on my radar for fall, plus some of the newest bags out there.
I’ve had a thing for bags since I was small. I remember having maybe what was my first bag- a matching white drawstring beaded number for my First Communion. I believe my grandmother bought me that. She was big on matching accessories.
I also still recall having a bag in fourth grade that was a black quilted flap bag on a chain. I suppose it was a Chanel wannabe, but back then, I just knew I like the puffiness of it. Later in middle school, all the girls had brown leather purses and I wanted one too. What did I even carry? I think it must have been some of that lip gloss with a roller ball top, a hairbrush and my student ID, and our house key!
My first ‘big purchase’ of a bag was a Gucci I bought in the 1980’s It was a tan and cream oval bag with tiny baby GGs and on a coated canvas with a long strap. I do believe I paid $400 for it, which was a lot of money at the time. I bought it at the Gucci store in Union Square San Francisco. I carried that bag with me for years and it wore like iron. I don’t know what became of it. I think now that it was a lot of money for me to save, but it looked great and was used to death by me, so I learned early to buy better.
Are you a bag lover? I have bought so many bags over the years and still have a few that are over 20 years old- like my first edition leather Kate Spade that I bought in Neiman’s SF before she was a household name. Most of my bags I have passed on to others, or sold and I like less to change my bags out now, so I don’t need tons. You guys know I am good about getting rid of things I don’t use. What about you?
When I find a bag I love, I use it a lot. Last year I bought this tweed bag in the UK and used it all winter. This spring I bought a raffia MZ Wallace bag with patent handles and used it exclusively almost until September. Still, I like to have choices, and I am always looking for my next bag crush!
I do believe it is worth paying more for a good bag. They are the most used items, and like shoes take a beating. A good bag will look even better with age. My grandmother always said have nice shoes and bags and all your clothes will look better because of it.
I think nowadays some designer bags are inflated and over priced, not to mention over seen and frankly boring. Be wise about your purchase. It is fun to have a purse that not everyone has, or something in a cool shape or color that stands out. I used to be all about classics like black and tan bags. I still like those, but I am excited by colorful ones now too. They tend to make your look and are a fun pop when you dress in neutrals.
Hot Bags Now…
Coach is back
According to Vogue, Coach bags are it and the vintage ones are especially hot. I noticed so many in the past year. The groovy thing about Coach is that it is the everyman bag that all of us can find an affordable version of. You can get great second hand styles and the new styles are not outrageous. Coach has always had good design and quality and a timeless look. Look for a logo free one in leather. About five years ago I found a Coach Stewardess bag at Crossroads for $15 and it is a wonderful city bag I still use. I wish I had the Coach backpack I used so much in the 90’s, that many of us had.
I found a few online.. one here, here, and more here.
Some new Coach designs which are very appealing to me…
Other bags that are in..
Some of the styles that are having a moment are huge clutch bags that look like you are holding your pillow, and micro bags, so, it is anything goes.
Bags in modern shapes and with a softness and color are in. Suede and leopard bags are also back and traditional shoulder bags are having a resurgence, especially the bucket shapes and the slouchy versions.
I love this photo of two women with smaller bags for daytime. The small handled bag that is almost a circle shape is a fun one. Cute versions are at Madewell and J. Crew. This could also be a great bag for a night out, a wedding or special event. We need less so bags are smaller if we choose for day now too.
J. Crew bucket bags are having a moment. There are some with one side suede and one leather that look great. The burgundy and tan are solid classics with a twist. There is also a lovely shiny leather dressy versions..
Top handle bags are popular in small and mini sizes too and feel ladylike. The crossbody strap can make these more versatile, so you can use them on a busy day and go to handle at night. The past year I have almost exclusively carried a handle bag as I carry so little, and my shoulders look better for it. I like this Strathberry Mosaic Bag that does both and is a bit more money, but beautiful quality.. and there are even nice options from Mango that look great. Both below with a few others.
Leopard looks..
If leopard appeals to you, here are a few options I like in different price points. Leopard is a classic and leopard accessories, like a coat, a bag, or a pair of shoes always looks chic and give you style cred.
Bags that stand out, but are under the radar…
I love a bag that makes people take notice. Bags that no one has seen are unicorns now! We see the same bag or iterations of them coming and going, so it’s nice to have a bag that is literally from somewhere else. It’s why I often buy a bag while traveling. Aimee Kestenberg bags come from Australia. You don’t see these around and they have a luxe arty vibe. The furry kale colored tote would be a great fall and winter bag, as would her black suede number with the lovely braided straps. There are so many unique options loaded with pretty details. If you want a bag you won’t see all over – this brand is a good one. All her bags here and below….
Bags to splurge on
Maybe you have some money saved or a birthday or the holidays coming and are considering putting a nicer bag on your wish list. I like to try and add one nice bag a year to my collection.
One brand of bags that are on my radar is Toteme which has fresh modern shapes. I love their Top Handle T- lock bag in Fawn. It also comes in smaller version in a crossbody in that same gorgeous color and a croc look or pebbled leather in a few other tones. I just love the design that flaps down to close. Cool gals that are minimalists love this Swedish brand. Also linked in photos..
I also have my eye on a few from Veronica Beard. I am in love with the pretty Dash Bag which is a top handle in suede, and the smart design of the VB Bucket bag in suede with four outside pockets.
A few other bags that I like
I tried to categorize, but these are that stragglers that I think warranted notice and you might like too in a few price ranges.
I hope this was a bit fun and got you excited about some of the new bags out there. I only touched on a few and I tried to do different brands than I have in the past. Please feel free to share any brands or style that are your favorites in comments.
If you missed last month’s post, it was Fall Wish Lists and I shared Pieces to make Your Wardrobe Pop!
Please stop over to Cindy’s where she is sharing her thoughts on fall bags!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog,
Kim
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Your memories regarding handbags in school got me thinking. I am in my mid 70’s and definitely remember the big bag look when I was 13 or 14. Black and glossy , the bigger the better. What on earth did I put in it?! Carrying our books in our arms and bag over one shoulder…so grown up…for the long walk home. My favourite bags are a soft red leather Fossil, and a slouchy moss green one. The latter has magnetic disc closure and my glass cases always stick to it. Doesn’t stop me using it though. When in Venice, I bought a beautiful rich brown two tone leather traditional handbag 👜 and need to use it more. Love the smell and the quality workmanship of it…and I remember the boutique where I found it, well away from the tourist crush. A very interesting and thoughtful blog, Kim.
Cath, So funny and true.. We never had book bags or backpacks! We only had purses and carried our books in our arms. I wonder when the backpack happened for school?
Your slouchy moss green bag sounds like it would be on trend. Wonderful to buy a bag in Italy.
I have a Furla bag bought in Venice in a teal color and I still remember the beautiful Italian lady that helped me choose it. I will never get rid of it as it is a reminder of the trip. At the time I wanted a brown one and she rightfully said, wouldn’t the teal be more special and stand out? I’m so glad I listened to her.
Thank you Cath! xo
So fun! I have a bag collection with some of these styles and I’m going to switch purses today to either leopard or the small handled one.I felt like Coach was my first big girl bag. Mine were used until they were pretty trashed though (my commutes in NY and Chicago). Loved the leather.
Mary Ann, That is the best! You can shop your own collection! I know I was thinking about my former Coach bags…. I had a grey one and a silver- and a neoprene one in the 90’s. Wish I still had them, but they were quite beat. That so many are still out there is a testament to their quality. xo
A few years ago I started collecting vintage Coach bags – the leather ones, mostly from before 2000. There are some good ones on sale second hand but one thing to keep in mind is that there are A LOT of fakes out there. Before I buy one, I always have it authenticated over at The Purse Forum. There are certain requirements in order to have it looked at (certain photos, measurements, etc) but if you follow their instructions, the people over there will get back to you quickly, and it is free. There are people who have paid a lot of money for a vintage bag, only to be disappointed that it isn’t real. Something to keep in mind. That being said, I LOVE my vintage bags. Love, love, love!!! They don’t make them like they used to, and in my opinion they are classic and timeless.
Hi Bee, I had no idea about the Purse Forum! So cool. I know evern on EBAY now you can get a bag authenticated. I would absolutely do that if it is expensive.
Thank you for adding this! So appreciate it. I agree, some of the vintage bags are the best made – and the coolest.
Wow, Kim. This is a lot! I think my first bag was a plum corduroy shoulder bag. Like you, I wonder what I needed to carry back then. But I loved that bag. I am still a fan of a one-strap shoulder bag, but these days when I am no longer commuting and mostly not going anywhere but the gym or the grocery, I am not using as big a bag. (Do I need to part with a few?) I have three red bags of various styles, including a tooled leather handbag, and that pop of red is having a moment! I also have a black leather bag with a leopard front which isn’t overly large, so I should probably put that one into circulation while leather is in style. Thanks for all your work on this!
Hi Julia! Thanks!
I can visualize the plum corduroy bag! Cute and I had forgotten about cord material. Sounds like you have a cool collection with the red bags! Yes get your leopard bag out too. So nice to shop your own closet which is unlike anything else. x
Hi Kim, I am also a dyed in the wool bag lover! I love looking at all sorts of bags, even luggage! I usually try to buy a new bag when on holiday. This summer I bought a little orange camera bag in Nice, simple but I thought it looked so cute. As we moved on to Italy, I saw the same bag everywhere! Oh well, I still remember the little shop I bought it in. Unless I’m on my bike, I carry my gym gear in a bright pink north-south leather tote bag that I got in a market in Rome.
I don’t have any ‘designer’ bags, I don’t want to spend that kind of money on a bag. I’d rather find something a bit more unique. I tend to go for a zip top, and I like a crossbody – I’m glad it’s easy to find wider crossbody straps, they are much more comfortable. I also have 3 of the Uniqlo half-moon bags, in different materials, nylon, corduroy and paper ‘straw’ – cheap, but so useful!
Hi Patricia! I am the same and I concur about luggage. Oh an orange camera bag from Nice sounds cool. It will still be special to you even though a few others had it. The Uniglo bags I don”t know about. I love a good shape. I will check them out! I agree find something different than a designer. My mom would always say, ‘Why be like anyone else?’ xo
Your bag picks and the way you style them is spot on! I’d love to get the details on that leopard jacket!
Thank you so much Tracy. The leopard jacket is a vintage one passed on from a friend’s closet that I love.
I did see similar ones here on EBAY:
https://rstyle.me/+hfcSHlDzlJOKmV9apsYB3w
Also here:
https://rstyle.me/+D6Jmwh-35f3bMx6XbhGLTw
And J. Crew has this cute one:
https://rstyle.me/+cpIxTm63Lly80WwW-7uw6g
Lots to be found on resale! xo
Thank you Kim for this great round up of bags… what would I do without your style updates.. thanks for doing the work for me!
Funnily I worked most school holidays as a teenager in my family business that had about 30 handbag shops across the country. I was itching to finish my business degree and put in my contribution.. clear out all that old fuddy duddy stuff and put in up to the minute styles and classics. It wasn’t to be due to mis-management of an elderly, stuck in the past and control freak relative, so it went into receivership.
Maybe because of this, I have not taken as much interest in bags as I would have had……also I have to pay full price like everyone else now lol!
Finally we have cooler weather so great to be able to ring the changes with our wardrobes.
Have a great week!
Hi Fiona!
Thank you.
That must have been a cool job as a young person. Oh my gosh sorry you didn’t get to put your mark on the family business. I can totally understand why you would feel that way about bags. May be Fiona you can restart the line if you wanted? Easy to tell someone else that right?
I am excited about the cool weather! Hope your week is lovely too.xo
I loved this post! I have a handbag obsession too! I did the expensive logo
ones and then realized what an incredible misuse of money to have one
of these like everyone else here in Scottsdale. There are so many options
at all kinds of price points now. One thing about Coach coming into
trend again, I have a beautiful black bigger shoulder bag that is
still in prime condition and is probably 20 years old or more It
has a tiny coach printed at very top so its not “in your face”
I can condition it and it’s still wonderful. This post made me
go dig it out!!😂 One tote I bought about 4 years ago and its
still beautiful after lugging all sorts of things in it is made
by Leatherology who makes all kinds of leather bags, travel
stuff for men and women. Reasonable price for the quality
of leather, very soft and wears well. I wish it wasn’t such a a pain
to rotate them more!! LOL So many cute one, now I want
an animal print one! Great choices!
Char that is so cool you still have your Coach! I bet it is lovely. Yes for sure wear it! The tote sounds great. I love soft leather.
I hear you about changing up bags. I know I should invest in an insert and just move them around. My friend Lauren has a company Tote Savvy that makes them. You can just pop in in another bag…They come in different sizes:
https://rstyle.me/+XRs_afIfQYAPQ50dtovRww
I know Char I have a leopard print one on my list too! x
I also saved up and bought a Gucci bag when I was in high school….can’t remember how much it cost but I still have it! I wish I had saved my black Coach bucket bag… those timeless styles are worth holding on to. My requirement for an everyday bag is a zip or sturdy magnetic closure. Especially when traveling, it feels safer and I’m not worried about everything spilling out. I like the Toteme styles you showed here… less flashy, no logos but very elegant. I’m cracking up thinking about the roller top lip gloss…my sister and I had so many of those. They were so sticky and shiny but we loved them!
Karen, So nice you still have your Gucci! Yes so smart to have a zip or closure for travel! I have had all my things fall out on a trip, and you never know whether you lost something in a spill! I love the Toteme too. Oh those roller lip glosses.. Were they called Kissing Slicks or something? We wanted those super glossy lips!
Hi Kim
Those bags with little handles seem so impractical to me! Maybe I am too old. I love the Amy Kestenberg bags . I think they are great looking and not as overpriced as some I always love leopard whether it is in our out! Great roundup of bags
Cindy I thin they are cute for a dress up look, but I understand. You have less freedom with them! Aimee K bags are cool and yes the price point is good. xo
Hi Kim,
A great post on handbags. I was into buying all these logo designer bags. I donated two if my Gucci bags. Too bad I did not keep them. Still have two Guccis in my clothes closet. Many Louis Vuitton’s and many accessories to match. It was the thing back in 1979 and the 1980 something. I love my Coach handbags, they are in excellent shape. Have a Fendi , a few Michael Kors ( not one if my better purchases. Love my Coach two bags, in excellent shape. Beautiful Bottega Veneta bag that I’ve had probably for 30 years, still looks like new. Three nice Chanel handbags that are knock offs. I usually never buy knockoffs but still sending $5,000. +++ on a Chanel bag I think is fine, for me a bit too extravagant. I support anyone that has the real thing. I love leopard, but I still do not own a nice leopard bag.
Your bags in your closet are very nice. You have excellent taste. Yes, on crossbody bags, have to have a shoulder bag too.
Thank you for this post.
Hold onto your older bags Katherine! They are more special than the new ones! That is cool you have an older Bottega too.
Wow sounds like a cool collection. I agreee got to have some practical ones too.
You are very sweet!
Hi Kim, Am I the only one having trouble clicking on your links and finding that Safari can’t open? Between your post and Cindy’s, I was trying to get more info on many but how can I see the ones you suggest? I still have a little black handled, lady-like Coach bag that has the receipt in it! I paid almost $400 at the Post St. store in SF in 1999. Haven’t used it in decades but can get rid of it. I will never carry a YSL bag because I hate seeing those initials displayed all over. I think logos are ostentatious and until/unless I change my name to match the initials, will never go there.
Wren, It works for me. I am hoping it was just your internet?
Your Coach sounds wonderful! I remember that store in SF!
Did the links eventually work? I do feel like logos are on their way out..And the simpler bags without them are really what is new and refreshing too.
Hi Kim, love your bag edit. You have a great perspective and always make me think twice about what to buy. My first serious bag was a Coach saddle bag. Back in the 70’s. Everyone seemed to have one but they felt very pricey for me with only babysitting one to spend. Somehow I acquired one, maybe it was secondhand. But I was so proud of it and wish I’d held on. Coach took a sad turn, and I’m glad they’re back. The Ergo’s on my list for sure. I’ve also been eyeing the Toteme but wondering if I’d use it enough to justify the price. Banana Republic has a great bag selection at fairly reasonable prices and the suede mini you linked is a favorite. xo
Juliet how cool you had a saddle bag! Banana does have nice bags too. I love that one. xo