Bags On The Brain: 20 Of My Autumn Favourites

Bags for all budgets and my dream designer wishlist...

I feel like this is my season for realising things, à la Kylie Jenner, and in that I’ve realised that buying multiples of the same thing does not an interesting wardrobe make. Sure, I LOVE a Celine Hobo Bag, and I feel like I always will. But buying basically exactly the same bag in multiple colours doesn't allow for much versatility in my wardrobe and in a way makes it pretty… boring. So I’m in the process of offloading a few of my Celines (burgundy one coming to my Vestiaire very soon if you’re interested), to make way for some texture, some shape and some colour in my bag wardrobe!!! You too?! Here are my top 20 on the internet right now…

From L-R: ARKET black curved leather bag*, a gorgeous mustard Staud bag*, the bag I’m lusting after the most The Row park tote in terracotta*, a cute little Reformation bag*, the Toteme T-Lock bag* and a complete Loewe rip-off from MANGO*.

BAGS UNDER £150

I don’t love to recommend bags that aren’t leather, only because from my experience they don’t have the best longevity. However, this MANGO Bucket Bag* is basically The Row Park Bag, and that’s a bag that I daydream about often. MANGO are leaning in heavy on the dupe-front and also have this Leather Shopper Bag*, which is a blatant rip-off of the Loewe Puzzle Tote. Seeing as the latter is proper leather I’d lean towards that one personally.

I’m not really a ‘party bag’ kind of person seeing as I spend 99.9% of my evenings on the sofa eating cake and critiquing Location, Location, Location, but this ARKET Suede Bag* in this stunning olive green feels party appropriate because it’s tiny (it still looks like you could get a massive iPhone in there which is v.important), but the texture gives it an everyday feel too. A bag that refuses to be pigeonholed.

From L-R: Love this green suede bag from Reformation*, and a brown convertible bag* from them too, a very Row-esque bucket bag*, a suede tote from Jigsaw*, a large & Other Stories black leather tote*, a crocodile mini bag* and a gorgeous khaki leather tote*.

AUTUMNAL TEXTURES

Speaking of green, I really do love this Jigsaw Heckfield Leather Tote* in this golden khaki. Imagine this with a black blazer, tee, ballet flats and some blue denim?! Gorgeous. The relaxed shape gives it a sort of vintage vibe. If you want green with some added texture try this Reformation Vittoria Suede Tote*. I’m really enjoying suede right now and love this Jigsaw Suede Tote* and it looks like cutie patootie that would tuck sweetly under your arm.

A bit of a wild card for me but I’m enjoying dabbling my toe back into snakeskin again this season, and this Reformation Rosetta Shoulder Bag* is a nice one if you’re looking for something that could be both a daytime and evening choice.

From L-R: The suede bag of my dreams from Savette*, and something a little more yellowy from Staud*, a cute ARKET green bag* for going out, the KHAITE bag that’s following me around the internet* and a case for Dragon Diffusion bags* not just being for summer, a classic tote from Everlane* and a Demellier number* to pop over your shoulder.

THE DREAM BAGS

Ok if we’re talking dream bags, here are my top five in order from least wanted to ‘OH MY GOD I NEED IT’:

5 - Demellier Tokyo Leather Shoulder Bag* - It’s just a dainty, under the shoulder number and I don’t really own a bag this shape. It gives a designer feel but with a more mid-range price tag.

4 - Savette Small Suede Shoulder Bag* - I was loaned a bag from this designer for a NAP job I did and woah it was beautiful. It took me by surprise because I hadn’t heard of this designer before, but they do really gorgeous vintage-looking bags with very minimal hardware.

3 - Toteme T-Lock Bag* - This has been on my brain for a good month or so now. It’s quite a new release from them so the preloved market is quite bare when it comes to this model. But I’m 100% keeping my eye out. Just looks like a nice alternative for days when I want to mix it up from my usual Loewe Puzzle Bag.

2 - KHAITE Lotus Medium Suede Tote* - I’d say this has been swimming around in the back of my brain for a solid year now. The price! THE PRICE! Over £2k just isn’t something I can justify but I enjoy the relaxed fit of it. Another one to scour the preloved-sites for.

1 - The Row Park Bag in Medium in Terracotta* - And top of the wishlist - DING, DING, DING! It’s this. I borrowed the smaller style for a job I shot and whilst it was nice, I feel like the medium might be a bit more practical for me as more often than not I have a lot to lug around with me. The simplicity, the colour! It’s only a matter of time…

I’m loving just popping in with a little extra Substack snack from time to time. There’s something about creating content on here that feels really easy and breezy and fun. Hopefully that comes across in what I’m putting out?! Here’s the part where I usually do my spiel but just to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who have subscribed over here. I never thought they’d be this many of you when I only started this just over a month ago. It’s been a very fun experiment indeed and one I can’t wait to continue with. So whether you’re a free sub or a paid member, I really, really appreciate the support.