My Style Is Simple, and These Are My Favorite Fall Handbag Trends

So by now, you’ve heard about my favorite overarching trends for the season ahead, the sweater trends I think are worth buying, the best new boot styles to invest in, and more. Judging by the headline of this article, I’m sure you’ve guessed that handbags are next—and why shouldn’t they be? In my opinion, if there’s any season for which to buy a new purse, it has got to be the year’s most stylish one: fall.

Speaking of my opinion, however, I know that the selection can at times be overwhelming, no matter what price point you’re shopping in or what you’re looking for. So as I’ve done with some of those other categories, I thought I’d hone in on which trends I think are worth focusing your time and money on if, like me, you consider your style to be not too out-there, not too boring, just simple (and cool). Curious to see and shop what made the cut? Keep scrolling for all seven handbag trends I’m into this fall.

1. Animal Print

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska/The Style Stalker)

Leopard, snake, zebra, you name it! Any animal print goes, and yes, it's as hard for me to choose just one as it is for you.

Shop animal-print bags:

2. Top-Handle

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska/The Style Stalker)

Classic but very trendy right now. It's hard to choose favorites, but based on what's currently in my closet, this might be my number one trend.

Shop top-handle bags:

3. Shearling

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska/The Style Stalker)

Fall and winter mean furr everything, and this season, that includes your purse. Whether it's through a trim or the whole thing, give your look some texture with a shearling (or faux-shearling) bag.

Shop shearling bags:

4. Oversize

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska/The Style Stalker)

While I'll always be a mini-bag devotee, there's no denying the big-bag trend for the season ahead—and how functional it is for daily life.

Shop oversize bags:

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska/The Style Stalker)

I'm a sucker for this trend because it really does make even the simplest bags instantly cool. Of course, the detail also complements a statement bag perfectly. 

Shop chain-link strap bags:

6. Croc-Embossed

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska/The Style Stalker)

Mock croc is the bag trend that I hope never dies, because it looks expensive at any price and is a subtly sleek addition to any outfit.

Shop croc-embossed bags:

7. Baguette

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska/The Style Stalker)

Last but certainly not least, the baguette-style shoulder bag, which has been trending hard for a few seasons, continues to gain traction into fall with more and more covetable styles coming out every week.

Shop baguette bags:

Up next? All the under-$100 items in my cart rn.

Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2020, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch 90 Day Fiancé.