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A new season means a new wardrobe shake-up, and one of the easiest ways to do so is with a new bag.
Especially so as the weather gets colder and our bags get inevitably chunkier. This year, there’s plenty of smart, stylish and versatile bags worth a spot in your accessories collection that fit the bill for looking good and being functional.
This year’s bag trends are some of the best yet, with a variety of colour palettes, fabrics, textures and sizes doing all the talking.
Some are oversized, with a go-big-or-go-home appeal, while others have sleek, elongated silhouettes that are perfect for your evening plans.
Faux animal skins have also made a comeback, with lots of croc textures making the rounds, along with modern, fresh-shaped styles that twist the classics.
Here are the standout handbag trends we’ve spotted that will shape your autumn/winter wardrobe this year.
Oversized Shoulder Bags
While shoulder bags have traditionally been small, a new crop of styles has been scaled up into oversized designs that are much more functional for fitting things like a laptop.
Chanel’s new Maxi Flap Bag, with its softer, slouchier, and oversized version of its classic design, except without its signature quilting, has become the it bag of the season and spurred many similar iterations on the high street.
Take the COS Pavilion Tote Bag. It’s an investment piece with a slouchy silhouette that looks both effortless and expensive, with two thin straps, roomy interior compartments and a glossy, patent finish At JW Pei, this Hilary Shoulder Bag is a vegan leather option complete with sleek gold hardware and a rich red colour palette. We’ve also got our eye on this Mango Leather Shoulder Bag with Flap in cool-toned grey suede and a single adjustable strap, and this affordable Shoulder Bag from H&M, that rivals Chanel’s £6,780 version.
Elongated Baguette Bags
The famous Fendi baguette bag is a classic bag shape that’s not going anywhere. Vogue describes it as an “east-to-west silhouette”, where a bag is wider than it is tall, with typically double skinny straps. Surprisingly spacious for an evening bag, they tuck neatly under your arm for extra convenience and a balanced fit.
Our top picks include this Nova Shoulder Bag from JW PEI, in a rich, autumnal olive green suede, as well as this minimalist Cylindrical Leather Shoulder Bag from & Other Stories.
If you love a bit of animal print and texture, you can’t go wrong with this Zebra Print Barrel Bag from Anthropologie. It’s surprisingly spacious and an easy pop of colour to wear with the rest of your wardrobe.
Crocodile Skins
Croc-effect leather is a texture we have a lot of time for, and it works particularly well in warm, autumnal shades like green, burgundy and chocolate brown, and can make any outfit look a little more polished.
On our shopping list is this Topshop Sophie Medium Angular Shoulder Bag, complete with a snap closure in a chocolatey red shade. It’s a budget-friendly way to dip your toe into the trend. Also on our radar is this Pull&Bear Textured Shoulder Bag – a little black bag is as versatile as a little black dress.
The easiest way to introduce a croc-effect bag is, of course, with a clutch like this ASOS DESIGN Elongated Clutch Bag in olive green, which you can discreetly tuck under your arm on nights out when you don’t want to carry a bigger bag. It fits all the essentials like keys, phone and a lipstick for top-ups.
Crescent Shapes
Crescent, curved silhouettes aren’t entirely new, but they’ve stuck around with a softer approach for 2026. Expect slouchier designs in suedes and leathers, autumnal colour palettes and varied sizes.
Some of our favourites include the H&M Curved Shoulder Bag, available in dark khaki, burgundy, or beige. The metal hardware and interesting shape keep it from feeling bland, while still being easy to pair with any outfit.
If suede is your fabric of choice, M&S has got you covered with its larger Suede Top Handle Shoulder Bag, while this & Other Stories Curved Shoulder Bag has the same sculptural silhouette in a cool blue hue.
A softer take on the trend is the Topshop Annabel Snake Effect Faux Leather Shoulder Bag, which combines animal print with a half-moon shape. It’s also definitive proof you don’t need a designer budget to nail two of autumn’s biggest bag trends at once.
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