I Swear Every Cool Person at Fashion Week Was Carrying One of These 5 Handbags

In the midst of navigating where I'm off to next during fashion week, I make it a point every season to scope out the cool items that everyone is wearing, specifically looking for the pieces that pop up again and again.

On the apparel side, there were certainly a few repeats, with big-ticket items including sweeping scarves, '80s-style leather jackets, pencil skirts and really anything that feels boho-inspired. The handbags, however, were by far the main event. Throughout fashion month, show attendees debuted a vast array of bags, from classic styles by the likes of Chanel, Loewe and Miu Miu to more on-trend silhouettes and accents, like belted bags, oversized clutches and bag charms.

With so many handbag moments to highlight this season, I took it upon myself to narrow down the five buzziest handbag trends I spotted most across New York, London, Milan and Paris. Scroll to see which will make the biggest impact this season.

THE 5 BREAKOUT BAG TRENDS FROM SEPTEMBER 2024 FASHION MONTH

1. OVERSIZED CLUTCHES

Style Notes: Clutches hardly have an exciting reputation, or really, any reputation at all. Oftentimes relegated to the back of our wardrobes and only called upon for formal occasions, the strap-free silhouette can easily be forgotten. But in a surprise twist, this season's street style stars chose to set the record straight about clutches, opting for cool, oversized shapes that for once made them the focal point of an outfit.

SHOP OVERSIZED CLUTCHES:

2. SUEDE STYLES

Style Notes: Supple suede bags are already the satchel of choice for Londoners this autumn, but it seems that the trend has permeated wider fashion circles. Imparting an effortless edge that helps to relax a fashion week 'fit, the suede bag trend came in tandem with so many chic ensembles this month.

SHOP SUEDE BAGS:

3. BAG CHARMS

Style Notes: Treated to a runway-ready makeover by Miu Miu, the bag charm trend has piqued the interest of those with a playful approach to style. Spotted across London's streets, but also throughout Paris and New York, this fun bag trend is the easiest way to give your look a 2024 twist.

SHOP BAG CHARMS:

4. BELTED BAGS

Style Notes: Prada's buzzy belted bag has had fashion people fawning ever since its debut. Now, having trickled into the wardrobes of those in the know, the belted-bag trend was a fixture on the streets this fashion month.

SHOP BELTED BAGS:

5. BRAIDED BAGS

Style Notes: There's nothing new about braided bags at fashion week, mostly because of the hold Daniel Lee's Bottega Veneta styles had on the style set during his tenure. But even with his departure and Matthieu Blazy's arrival, the Italian house's signature Intrecciato weaving technique continues to reign supreme on the streets outside of shows.

SHOP BRAIDED BAGS: