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When you’re giving your wardrobe a Fall makeover, don’t forget your handbags. Lighter fabrics don’t hold up well during Winter — and nothing helps change up your look faster than a new purse on your arm. Right now, we’re gravitating toward structured trapeze shapes, chic clutches by day, and a few furry, textural finds that feel particularly seasonal. With an eye on the runways and the accessories we’ve seen from the street style crowd, we’ve handpicked the best bags to hit the shelves for Fall 2013 and shopped them out for every budget. Click through for the full report, or jump below to the trend you want!
Top-Handle Bags
Trapeze Bags
Day Clutches
Furry Bags
Backpacks
Mini Crossbody Bags
Source: IMAXtree
Top-Handle Bag
Why we love it: This is about as ladylike as they come. We love the charm and sophistication of a great top-handle bag mainly because it adds that same vibe to anything we have on.
How to wear it: Polish off your workwear with a structured top-handle bag on your arm, or use it to add a more pulled-together vibe to your off-duty boyfriend jeans and booties.
Source: Hannah Freeman
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The Row Top Handle Bag ($2,950)
2 / 70
Isly Handbags Lyali with hardware ($470)
3 / 70
Marc by Marc Jacobs Get a Grip Emma Top Handle Bag ($458)
4 / 70
BCBG Harper Snap Top Handle Bag ($428)
6 / 70
Vince Camuto Max Top Handle Satchel ($298)
6 / 70
Madewell Mini Frame Cross Body Bag ($178)
7 / 70
Kate Spade Cricket Street Small Emilia Top Handle Bag ($478)
8 / 70
Proenza Schouler PS13 Small Buffalo Leather Bag ($2,250)
9 / 70
Givenchy Small HDG Top Handle Bag ($2,595)
11 / 70
3.1 Phillip Lim Ryder Satchel ($895)
11 / 70
Mulberry Suffolk Leather Tote ($2,300)
12 / 70
Trapeze Bag
Why we love it: We first fell for the style when Céline’s luggage totes became a street style favorite. The wider structured shape is now synonymous with this season’s biggest bag trend, and we love every iteration — especially since it pulls double duty as a work or play option.
How to wear it: A bag like this is always going to be the center of attention, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a million ways to style it. For a posh look, opt for a fitted sheath and sky-high heels, but know that you can dress this down with distressed jeans and flats, too.
Source: Getty
13 / 70
ModCloth Structured Success Bag ($65)
14 / 70
Valentino Garavani Printed Rockstud Trapeze Tote ($2,773)
15 / 70
Bracher Emden Structured Tote ($313)
16 / 70
Rachael Ruddick East West Shopper Tote ($375)
17 / 70
Michael Kors Selma North South Tote ($378)
18 / 70
Oryany Ruby Tote ($475)
19 / 70
J.Crew Goodwinn Purse ($198)
20 / 70
Zac Posen Earth Leather & Nubuck Shoulder Bag ($495)
21 / 70
Kate Spade 2 Park Avenue Beau Shopper Tote ($498)
22 / 70
H&M Handbag ($50)
23 / 70
Day Clutch
Why we love it: The street style set taught us that less is more with minimalist day clutches in hand. We love the sleek feel of zippered clutches as a chic, pared-down alternative to the bigger-is-bigger tote bags. We also love that they make it easy to go day to night in a flash.
How to wear it: Don’t overthink it — these clutches are just about all-occasion appropriate. Stick one under your arm with a pencil skirt and sweater at the office, and head right out to drinks after.
Source: Getty
24 / 70
Lizzie Fortunato Safari Clutch ($333)
25 / 70
Vince Camuto Roma Clutch ($398)
26 / 70
Marc by Marc Jacobs Electric Stage Techno Holographic Wristlet Clutch ($117)
27 / 70
ASOS Leather & Check Oversized Clutch Bag ($80)
28 / 70
Lanvin Top Zip Clutch ($584)
29 / 70
Alexander Wang Prisma Skeletal Envelope Bag ($745)
30 / 70
Zara Clutch With Flat Clasp Fastening ($30)
31 / 70
Victoria Beckham Two-Tone Leather Clutch ($650)
32 / 70
Milly Tatum Metallic Clutch ($450)
33 / 70
Charlotte Olympia Varsity Zip Pouch ($445)
34 / 70
Anya Hindmarch Courtney Printed Canvas Clutch ($650)
35 / 70
Furry Bag
Why we love it: It’s a fun seasonal update on the bags we already love. Designers crafted clutches and even backpacks with a notice-me winterized finish that street style stars toted all Fall. Now, we’re getting in on the trend.
How to wear it: Let this bag be the star of the show. Add it to your jeans and tops for another dimension, or use it to introduce more luxe into an evening look.
Source: IMAXTREE
36 / 70
ASOS Tophandle Bag in Crazy Faux Fur ($50, originally $62)
37 / 70
Fendi 2Jours Zebra-Print Tote ($5,800)
38 / 70
Meredith Wendell Shearling Backstroke Backpack ($995)
39 / 70
Mango Faux Fur Hobo Bag ($80)
40 / 70
Club Monaco Little Liffner Handbag ($649)
41 / 70
Zara Furry Clutch Bag ($36)
42 / 70
Nasty Gal Instinctual Faux Fur Clutch ($58)
43 / 70
RAFE Celia Leather & Faux Fur Clutch ($225)
44 / 70
Jerome Dreyfuss Loic Shearling Tote ($890)
45 / 70
3.1 Phillip Lim Fur Ryder Satchel ($1,350)
46 / 70
Rika Rabbit Fur Clutch Bag ($331)
47 / 70
Backpack
Why we love it: We’re totally down with the backpack’s big comeback. The ’90s school staple got a major revamp with sophisticated leather finishes and even printed calfhair.
How to wear it: Don’t just reserve this style for your laid-back weekend looks — a polished drawstring style could be a cool alternative to your everyday work tote. And, when in doubt, know that this bag looks particularly slick with skinny jeans and a pair of cool-girl sneakers.
Source: IMAXTREE
48 / 70
Aimee Kestenberg Tamitha Backpack ($228)
49 / 70
Steven Alan Clemence Backpack ($475)
50 / 70
Coach Studio Legacy Leather Backpack ($258)
51 / 70
KENZO Black Leather-Trimmed Mini Backpack ($460)
52 / 70
Zara Rucksack With Zips ($80)
53 / 70
B Brian Atwood Juliette Small Leather Backpack with Tassel ($350)
54 / 70
Cambridge Silversmiths 15″ Satchel Backpack ($205)
55 / 70
Club Monaco Mackage Tanner Backpack ($495)
56 / 70
Elizabeth and James Spotted Calf Hair Drawstring Backpack ($545)
57 / 70
MCM Stark Sprinkle Stud Small Backpack ($560)
58 / 70
Mini Crossbody Bag
Why we love it: There’s nothing quite so easy as going hands-free with a mini bag thrown over your shoulders. We love that they’re as adorable as they are functional, and rather than just sitting on your shoulder or over your arm, these little bags truly become a part of your outfit.
How to wear it: Use the crossbody bag to liven up a coat or jacket when you sling it across your shoulders. The benefit of this mini size, too, is that it’s easy to dress up for a night out. Just choose one with a more sophisticated hardware or embellishment to style up your outfit.
Source: Greg Kessler
59 / 70
Zac Posen Crossbody Loren Mini Bag ($295)
60 / 70
Kodi Mini Chain Bag ($504)
61 / 70
Milly Dalmatian Mini Bag ($225)
62 / 70
Rebecca Minkoff Miles Mini Bag ($325)
63 / 70
Rebecca Minkoff Sunny Mini Bag ($395)
64 / 70
Lizzie Fortunato The Solid Schoolgirl Mini Bag ($550)
65 / 70
TL-180 Mini Tambour Circle Bag ($354)
66 / 70
Reece Hudson Siren Mini Bag ($495)
67 / 70
Tory Burch Parkan Cross Body Mini Bag ($365)
68 / 70
Sophie Hulme Mini Envelope Clutch ($424)
69 / 70
Diane von Furstenberg 440 Mini Leopard Haircalf Bag in Leopard ($350)
70 / 70