7 Handbag Trends to Buy and Skip This Fall, According to Our Editors

I always have my eye on the new handbag trends that are dropping, and for fall 2021, there are so many new styles worth noting. If you took a look at my Slack messages, you'd find notes to our editors about some bags I'm thinking about adding to my cart. After all, Who What Wear editors are experts on all of the new shopping on the market. Curious to find out their thoughts on the best new bags to buy, I asked our team to weigh in.

Ahead, our editors are sharing the seven handbag trends they're eyeing right now and the outdated fall handbag trends they're pressing pause on. From sleek styles they want in their everyday wardrobes to unexpected, colorful pieces to inject some fun into their closets, there are so many fresh editor-approved bag trends you'll want to take a look at.

Wearing: Low-key logo bags

Skipping: XXL bags

"The oversize XXL bags that have been all over collections in the past few seasons are such a great statement on the runways, but they're a little less practical IRL. On the other hand, I can't stop thinking about all of the new logo bags on the market that have low-key branding or hints of a logo that are so subtle you almost miss them."

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Wearing:'90s-inspired bags 

Skipping: Mini bags

"I've finally come to the realization that tiny mini bags just don't suit me, as cute as they are. I'm not really a 'less is more' kind of girl when it comes to the contents of my bag, no matter how hard I try to just whittle it down to the bare necessities. The alternative for me has been '90s-inspired shoulder bags. They fit everything I need and work for day or night (because I never want to be the girl at the after-dark event with the giant handbag)."

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Wearing: Boxy top-handle bags

Skipping: Belt bags

"While I still have a belt bag I'll use from time to time when running errands, I'm favoring other styles this season instead. I'm particularly feeling boxy top-handle bags that can fit the essentials."

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Wearing: Colorful bags

Skipping: Neutral bags

"The general consensus about handbags in the fall is that you should stick to darker neutral colors (e.g., black and brown), but this season, designers have pulled out all the colors, and it was sort of surprising. I've seen Bottega do bright pink and yellow shearling as well as Mansur Gavriel do a gorgeous baby blue. I'm all about extending the happiness of spring and summer as long as I can, so count me in."

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Wearing: Suede bags

Skipping: Croc-effect bags

"As someone who went heavy on all things croc effect a few years ago, for now, I'm skipping on buying any more bags in the once-highly-trendy material. Instead, I'm so into the subtlety of suede right now."

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Wearing: Furry bags

Skipping: Market totes

"Market totes were having their moment in the spring, but as we move into the fall, I'll be swapping that handbag trend out for a more fall-friendly choice: furry handbags. Whether it's a feather bag or a shearling one, this is a handbag trend I'll be snuggling up to this season."

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Wearing: Functional bags

Skipping: Clutches

Even though clutches were huge last year—hello, Bottega Veneta pouches—I just don't think the style is practical for me. I really need more functional bags in my life, so I'll be investing in a great crossbody bag this season. I love this one because of its mix of materials. Plus, brown leather always feels so right for fall.

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Next: The 12 Editor-Approved Trends I'm Wearing Until Further Notice