The Fall Accessories Edit: The 5 Top Buys of the Season
With the onset of fall, we’re deep in conversations about the biggest trends from the runways and the exact items worth investing in for the season ahead. While buzzy items like suede jackets and scarf wraps may be conversation-starters, everyone really wants to chat about the accessories to scoop up for fall. With so many great investment-worthy pieces landing on the market this season, it’s no wonder that the fashion set is eyeing all of the great new shoes, bags, and jewelry dropping right now.
So which specific pieces made the cut for the top buys of the season? Ahead, we’re diving into our fall accessories edit with the key items to own. From the directional peep-toe pumps our editors can’t stop talking about to the archival bag that was just reissued to the timepiece everyone is trying to get on their wrist, these are the noteworthy accessories to invest in for fall 2024.
The bag I'm naming the top investment of 2024 is the Bottega Veneta Lauren 1980. The clutch originally debuted in the '80s when it was named after actress Lauren Hutton, who wore it in the film American Gigolo. In recent years, it has since garnered a cult-like following with fashion fans searching for it on the vintage market. For those who couldn't track one down, though, the bag was recently relaunched and is set to be the next key buy from the Italian fashion house.
When we first reported on the flat-shoe renaissance, I didn't realize just how impactful it would be. Flats have become ever more popular in recent years, from ballerinas to mesh styles to slingbacks to "naked" shoes. The winning shape, however, is the Rebecca flat from Loro Piana, designed with an almond toe and a pointed silhouette that makes it the perfect elongating shape. It has carved itself out as a smart buy and is so popular that the brand continues to release it in new colorways.
One thing that isn't surprising? The inclusion of a timepiece on this list. In recent years, watches have exploded as a category and are reflected in the sales numbers. What may be surprising, however, is the watch that is more popular than ever, despite its long history. While there may be plenty of buzzy new timepieces on the market, one of the most in-demand pieces is the Cartier Tank watch—a 107-year-old watch that has truly stood the test of time.
Yet another clutch ranks as a top contender for best designer bag buy of 2024: The Row Margaux clutch. The Row's top-handle Margaux bag all but dominated the shopping scene last year, and now the internet-famous logo-less bag has arrived in yet another iteration and in new colorways. Shades of burgundy and emerald green round out neutrals like camel brown.
The talk of the shows at fashion month and the Who What Wear office? The architectural pumps that are starting to pop up everywhere, including Khaite. The tall heels are practically the opposite of the flats that have all but taken over, but perhaps that is what makes them feel so fresh. The same can be said for the peep-toe detail, which is something we're watching closely as it starts to appear in more and more shoe designs.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.