Update: This post was originally published on October 27, 2016.
In a season when your coat often covers up the rest of your outfit, the right bag can make all the difference. It's one of the first pieces people will see when you walk into a room and one of the last when you leave. So once you've got your outerwear all sorted, it's time to shift focus towards what you'll be carrying every day.
Sure, you might still be hesitant to let go of that perfect basket bag or mini crossbody you used all summer long, but now that the weather's changing, it's time the silhouette you're using does, too. No longer are your days spent worrying about the next time you'll go to the beach — the quarter is crazy at work, you've got a few travel plans lined up, and there are plenty of social plans in your horizon. That's why you need a bag to match.
Whether it's a sleek tote or a itty-bitty pouch bag, click on for the five styles that should be making an appearance in your fall wardrobe. The picks ahead are sure to be the double-tap worthy focal point of your outfits from now through the end of the year.
The Drawstring Pouch
Consider this the more polished, grown-up version of that nylon drawstring backpack you carried your gym clothes in during high school. To make it feel more formal (but not too dressed up), we suggest gravitating towards metallics, embellishments, or pleated fabrics to give this little pouch an unexpected twist.
Clare V. Henri Petite, $295, available at Clare V.
Rochas Embroidered Sac Bag, $1,095, available at Shop Super Street.
StyleNanda Embellished Pyramid Bag, $36, available at StyleNanda.
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The Top-Handle Bag
Wake up your dark fall color palette with this neon-accented carryall.
Versace, $3295.00, available at Versace
Tod's Small Wave Bag, $2,165, available at Tod's.
Sophie Hulme SSENSE Exclusive Blue & Pink Albion Box Tote, $595, available at SSENSE.
The Ring Detail
Minimal meets badass with the metal-ring fad that's popping up on bags large and small this season. Whether actually pierced or simply used as a decorative touch, bling is in — and we're most certainly here for it.
Zara Studio Leather Bucket Bag with Hoops, $239, available at Zara.
Veda Half Moon Bag, $495, available at Veda.
J.W. Anderson Small Pierce Bag, $1,145, available at Need Supply Co.
The Wide-Strap Crossbody
These days, a bag's strap matters just as much as the bag itself. Go wide and wear it across your chest high-and-tight for a fresh-off-the-runway look that produces optimal comfort, cool, and style.
Marge Sherwood Vava White, $239, available at W Concept.
Marc Jacobs Snapshot Small Camera Bag, $295, available at Marc Jacobs.
H&M Small Shoulder Bag, $34.99, available at H&M.
The Super-Streamlined Tote
No bells, no whistles, no bows. With simple lines, solid colors, and practical pouches and pockets, this is versatility and sophistication at its finest.
Mansur Gavriel Large Tote Avion, $585, available at Mansur Gavriel.
Cuero y Mor Forest Tote, $735, available at Cuero y Mor.
Camelia Roma Patent Leather Tote, $120, available at Camelia Roma.
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