These 9 It Bags Are the Moment, and They're Everywhere I Look

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

In my experience, you're either a shoe person or a handbag person. Perhaps you have the budget and closet space for both (congrats!), but if you fall into the latter category of seasoned bag pro, then it's highly likely that you'll be one of two types of collectors: You'll enjoy either indulging in the fun, It bag of the moment or investing in timeless classics. Rarely do the two meet, and the opposing camps that divide this world of leather-goods connoisseurs provide inspiration for those who like seasonal switch-ups as well as the shoppers with a longer-term strategy in mind.

This dynamic has played out across the fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. I've witnessed many a classic come back to the fore. In fact, you can't move through the street style galleries for the Hermès Birkins, nylon Pradas and Chanel Flap bags. They are all quiet, neat and timeless; worthwhile purchases considering how they appreciate in value. However, if it's adrenaline you're after, I've also seen plenty of the season's unique and unusual statement bags toted on the arms of fashion's leaders. There's nothing quite like a new handbag style to totally transform an old outfit, so puffy finishes and Y2K throwback styles—complete with trinkets and all—are what the more experimental dressers are using to pep up their looks. 

I combed through thousands of IRL looks from stylists, buyers, editors and influencers to hunt down the new (and old) handbags on the rise for autumn/winter 2022, and these were the results…

1. LOEWE PUFFER GOYA SHOULDER BAG

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: An entirely new style for Loewe, the Puffer Goya takes a classic idea of the shoulder flap bag and turns it into something really spectacular with squidgy leather and a circular-link chain strap. 

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: It comes in a host of neutral, autumnal hues like tan, chocolate, rusty red and more.

2. PRADA SYMBOLE BAGS 

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: Any fashion person can spot a Prada triangle plaque logo from a mile off—now it's inspired a repeat pattern called Symbole.

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: It's the actual triangle-shaped bag that has been popular with the It-girl set.

3. COPERNI SWIPE BAG

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: For a conceptual, sculptural bag, it's Coperni's egg-shaped Swipe that has been chosen as leader. It comes in everything from classic black leather through to glass—yes, really!

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: For extra A/W 22 trend points, a mini bag covered in crystals ticks a lot of boxes.

4. BOTTEGA VENETA CHAIN POUCH

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: It's not a new style, but I always love to see an It bag with year-after-year mileage—the Bottega Veneta Pouch has now been loved since spring 2020. Both the chain styles and the clutches are still going strong.

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: Red iterations are often the first to sell out and be sold again for a much higher price.

5. BALENCIAGA LE CAGOLE 

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: If Y2K is your jam, then you won't be new to the phenomenon of Balenciaga's Le Cagole bags. It's loosely based on the original City styles of the '00s, only with extra bells and whistles and rendered in slightly curvier shapes.

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: Larger styles are great for those who like the carry all the essentials 24/7. However, the bigger versions are very hard to come by.

6. COS CROSSBODY BAG

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: So it's not designer, but boy, is it popular! COS's Leather Crossbody Bag has been flying out of stores for months now.

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(Image credit: Michaela Efford @michaelaefford_photography)

Style Notes: Who What Wear's affiliate editor Emily wears hers with everything from minidresses to trouser suits.

7. DIESEL D-PLAQUE BAGS

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: For another nod to the year 2000, Diesel's logo-plaque styles have a cult following.

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: The shoulder and crossbody styles are roomier but still give a specific aesthetic. You'll find the hyped styles already popping up on pre-loved sites for a higher cost.

8. A.W.A.K.E. MODE MIA BAG

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: A.W.A.K.E. Mode was doing puffy bags before many brands tapped into the idea. This knotted Mia style takes the look forward.

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: The Mia comes in a smaller size as well—great for an evening look.

9. HERMÈS KELLY

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(Image credit: Morgane Maurice @morganemaurice)

Style Notes: Birkins and Kellys never fade, but it's been fascinating to see them being quite so prevalent over the past month.

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(Image credit: Szymon Brzóska @thestylestalkercom)

Style Notes: Whether larger black totes or baby Kelly like this cream one, it's all about the iconic styles in neutral hues.

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.