Fall/Winter 2019 Handbag Fashion Trends – Runway Inspiration - Affordable Exotic Luxury Bags, Wallets and Fashion Accessories by Fricaine

As much as it hurts to admit it, we can’t hold onto summer forever. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder, and before you know it, it’s time to pack away your summer wardrobe and dig out your winter coats.

Although the weather might be dreary, it doesn’t mean your fashion has to be! Say goodbye to your straw beach totes and cutesy shoulder bags and welcome in the new season in style with a brand-new handbag.

The FW19 runways have got us super excited for handbag fashion through the fall and winter months, so we thought we’d share some of the standout trends with you to give you some inspiration for your next purchase.

Textures… Animal Style!

Another season, another batch of must-have textures.

Let’s start with something that never goes out of style: snakeskin. Cool, sleek and sexy, this distinctive animal print has been seen in every type of attire, from skin-tight trousers to this decadent blue snakeskin coat created by Italian designer brand Roberto Cavalli:

Roberto Cavalli. Credit: Jonathon Smith/HYPEBAE (source: hypebae.com)

What a way to make an entrance! If you’re looking to add an extra something to your Saturday night look, why not pair your favourite LBD with a snakeskin clutch in your favourite color – perfect for bringing out your wild side!

Already ticked the snakeskin box? Here’s another slippery style you might want to snap up: crocodile skin. It’s worth noting at this point that for most commercial brands, your ‘croc’ or ‘snakeskin’ bag is most likely just an embossed effect on leather (genuine bags are a lot rarer and pricier!) but we don’t think it makes that much of a difference. Here’s a cute one from French fashion house Chloé in a neutral khaki green – perfect for pairing with beige chinos for a sharp, fall look.

Small Tess Bag, Chloé (source:chloe.com)

While fall may be all about cool colors and shiny skins, all we really want in winter is something to wrap around ourselves and snuggle up in, whether it’s a blanket or our favourite fluffy coat. Well, how about a fluffy bag?

Winter’s all about soft, cosy textures. Even if it doesn’t provide much warmth, you’ll definitely look the part with something like this roomy shoulder bag from Elleme – it’s faux fur so cruelty-free, and you can even fit your hat and gloves inside!

Baozi Shearing Shoulder Bag, Elleme (source: mytheresa.com)

Or, if you’re going all out, why not jump on the puffy quilted trend? It’s like your favourite puffa jacket, only miniature.

Small Glam Slam Bag, Maison Margiela (source: maisonmargiela.com)

Patterns – Color and Contrast

If there’s one designer who truly embodied the spirit of winter in their FW19 collection, it was the late Karl Lagerfeld. In what was the first show since his passing, Chanel hosted their runway in a beautiful alpine village setting at the Le Grand Palais. His final collection featured a range of colorful puffy and furry pieces (check out those boots), and most prominently, the resurgence of the houndstooth pattern, modelled here by Cara Delevingne along with a woolly checked tweed jumpsuit (another fall favourite):

This retro pattern cropped up in multiple designers’ collections for the FW19 season, but was particularly hailed as a poignant nod to Lagerfeld’s iconic black and white palette in his final pieces.

There were also a range of patchwork patterns on show, like this look with matching patchwork bag, shoes and jacket from Coach:

Style – Supersized and Super Small

Classic winter styles like totes and slouch bags also made an anticipated return, inspiring co-ordinated everyday looks like this shiny black bag and belt duo from Bottega Veneta:

Bag and belt by Bottega Veneta (source: net-a-porter.com)

This sleek look is perfect for carrying documents, your scarf, a lunchbox… probably more things than you could think to put in it! We think it’s ideal for a durable work look during the winter months. It even has a useful little tie on the top to stop the bag from gaping open when you don’t want it to.

Dior also showcased a square, branded tote – even though it might not be everyone’s idea of an everyday look, it’s great inspiration for a winter shopping bag and features the stylish checked look also seen in other collections this season.

Book Tote Bag, Christian Dior (source: harpersbazaar.com)

Rectangular, minimalist bags in soft, brown colors also rocked the runway in FW19 in an array of different sizes. This Fendi bag was typical of what we are now seeing in stores: flat, neutral leather that brings a classy touch to any outfit. We think this style is perfect for anything from a nice brunch with friends to a job interview, and perfectly offsets and complements a statement winter coat or pair of boots.

A variety of small shoulder bags also showed up like a flurry of fall leaves, perfect styles to take out on a movie night or date without your bag feeling bulky over your coat.

We love this deep maroon Arezzo Brunello Handbag from ATP Atelier that brings a real pop of color to the trend:

Arezzo Brunello Handbag, APT Atelier (source: atpatelier.com)

By no small measure, the stars of the FW19 runways were the smaller handbags stealing the spotlight on the hands or sometimes fingers of the models:

Carolina Herrera, Chloe, Zimmermann (source: gloswly.com)

We’re not exactly sure how you’re meant to use these on a day-to-day basis… you could store your phone and credit card in the stunning black Zimmermann bag and use it as a clutch, but we’re struggling to see more than a couple of coins fitting in the Jaquemus mini bag!

One quirky trend that we loved from the AW19 catwalk was the rise in small, boxy bags. Perfect for a night out with the girls or a fancy dinner date, what better look than a little golden treasure box like this one from Oscar de la Renta to make you feel glamorous:

Gold Metal Mini Alibi Bag, Oscar de la Renta (source: oscardelarenta.com)

Gold is a great way to add a bit of sparkle to the winter months, and a color trend that’s been prevalent in this season’s runway shows.

Sometimes though, one bag just isn’t enough. If you really can’t choose between two of your favourite handbags, why not treat yourself and double up?

Fendi showed everyone the right way to rock it on the catwalk: buy a handbag for your handbag!

More space, easier to get to your essentials, and probably one of the coolest looks we’ve seen this season. ‘Double-bagging’ truly is a great fad for the avid handbag collector.

We hope you’ve been inspired by these fashionable fall and winter looks. There truly is such an array of styles and patterns that it’s almost impossible not to want to wrap up warm and hit the shops. We’re certainly ready to curl up with a hot chocolate after a hard day of shopping for a new handbag to ensure we stay stylish during the colder months – bring on the snow!