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the fall bag guide
August 22, 2012

Fall Handbag Guide: 44 Styles From Day to Night

By Diana Tsui

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Photo: Andrew Ingalls

Shoes and bags are like peanut butter and jelly — you can’t have one without the other. Now that you’ve had a chance to peruse some of the best shoes to buy and wear now, it’s time to plan which bag will complete your outfit sandwich. This fall, the ladylike pocketbook makes a triumphant return. Like their predecessors from the seventies and eighties, these pocketbooks feature a flap closure and sit just below the shoulder but get a freshening-up when rendered in pony hair or color-blocked leather, or when dangling from delicate chain straps. For those looking for a proper, uptown bag to pair with demure flats, Prada’s embellished doctor bag or Jason Wu’s structured burgundy tote offer a feminine look. If you can’t consolidate your busy life into a small purse we’ve got roomy totes with extended wings to fit all of your essentials. And come evening (or even tucked into one of those totes and pulled out for a quick lunchtime jaunt), slim envelope clutches in an array of patterns and hues will easily mix and match with most outfits. Click ahead to see all of these and more, plus be sure to zoom in and check out every last detail, down to the zippers.

Prop styling by Marie-Yan Morvan.

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1 / 44 Photos
Prada Satin Embellished Bag $3,500 at select Prada locations Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Alexander Wang Pelican satchel $985 at Alexander Wang Photo: Andrew Ingalls
J.Crew invitation dot clutch $158 at J.Crew Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Miu Miu brown suede satchel $1,350 at select Miu Miu locations Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Rochas textured leather tote $1,245 at Barneys Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Fendi 2jours bag $2,430 at Saks Fifth Avenue Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Loeffler Randall silver mini bag $395 at Saks Fifth Avenue Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Clare Vivier simple suede tote $315 at Clare Vivier Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Derek Lam Francis bag $990 at Derek Lam  Photo: Andrew Ingalls
A.P.C. bucket bag $575 at A.P.C. Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Marni white patent handbag $1,190 at Marni Photo: Andrew Ingalls
C. Wonder fold over suede clutch $128 at C.Wonder Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Coach Legacy leather Tanner tote $498 at Coach  Photo: Andrew Ingalls
The Row bucket bag $3,400 at Barneys Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Reed Krakoff Atlantique tote $1,490 at Reed Krakoff Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Aldo Amendola bag $50 at Aldo Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Diane von Furstenberg Harper bag $295 at Diane von Furstenberg Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Carven suede tote $1,490 at Elizabeth Charles Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Smythson shoulder bag $1,270 at Smythson Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Il Bisonte classic school bag $788 at Il Bisonte Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati evening clutch $1,295 at Yves Saint Laurent locations Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Milly Harper collection top handle bag $375 at Milly Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci red pony hair and black leather shark tooth clutch $1,370 at Nordstrom locations Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Maison Martin Margiela shoulder bag,  $1,295 at Maison Martin Margiela  Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Merona faux croc envelope clutch $19.99 at Target Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Zara mini messenger bag $99.90 at Zara Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Tory Burch plaid frame bag $695 at Tory Burch Photo: Andrew Ingalls
J.Crew colorblock Edie grand $298 at J.Crew Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Proenza Schouler Toshi bag $2,375 at Proenza Schouler Photo: Andrew Ingalls
kate spade post street little adair bag $248 at kate spade Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Wendy Nichol large canteen bag $850 at Wendy Nichol Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Valentino Zebra Print Pony Hair Top Handle Flat Bag $3,295 at Neiman Marcus Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Jason Wu Daphne shoulder bag $1,875 at Jason Wu Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Mulberry small Hetty hobo $1,300 at Mulberry Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Salvatore Ferragamo teal leather tote with gold gancio $1,290 at Salvatore Ferragamo Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Dior Miss Dior Bag $3,700 at Dior locations Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Club Monaco silver zip clutch $149.50 at Club Monaco (available in November) Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Dries van Noten silver clutch $2,505 at Barneys locations Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Michael Kors Littleton frame satchel $1,395 at Michael Kors Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Oscar de la Renta  brown leather top handle Dex bag $2,490 at Oscar de la Renta Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Christian Louboutin Farida messenger bag $1,595 at Christian Louboutin Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Aldo Dorka box clutch $45 at Aldo Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Burberry medium London grainy leather bowling bag $1,295 at Burberry Photo: Andrew Ingalls
Marc Jacobs Venetia bag $1,595 at Marc Jacobs Photo: Andrew Ingalls
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Tags:

  • the fall bag guide
  • bags
  • goods
  • slideshow
  • totes
  • crossbody bags
  • pocketbooks
  • doctor bags
  • satchels
  • purses
  • bucket bags
  • More

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