The timeless bag trends for FW23

There are only two types of people in this world: you’re either obsessed with shoes or with bags. Whether or not you agree with my—undisputably correct—theory, you might be thinking about adding a new bag to your collection, and in that case, you might be wondering what the best trends for bags this FW23 are.

Generally speaking, FW23 was quite subdued, a return to the basics, if you will. The hero pieces that appeared on the runways were everything but over the top or excessive: baggy jeans, grey hoodies, tailored black coats, and white shirts, to name a few. This sensibility naturally trickled down to accessories and handbags as well, with a preference for classic designs that would survive trend cycle after trend cycle. Here are our five favourite timeless handbag trends from the FW23 runways.

Are you one of those people who just needs to carry their entire life in their purse at all times? Well, you’re in luck! Jil Sander, Coach, and Ann Demeulemeester showed roomy and practical maxi totes in their FW23 collections, continuing with the XXL accessories trend. This time though, it’s trendy and practical.

The clutch bag might’ve been resurrected by Versace and Miu Miu’s FW23 shows, but it looks way different than what we used to wear in the 2010s: oversized silhouettes to be carried tucked under the arm are all the rage.

Red is shaping up to be the biggest colour trend of FW23, and the bags on the runway prove this theory: Maximilian Davis’ FW23 collection for Ferragamo included a plethora of his signature bright red bags in all shapes and sizes. Meanwhile, Gucci brought back a Tom Ford-era style featuring an oversized horsebit detail and—you guessed it—a bright red shade. Speaking of Gucci: a custom deep, almost burgundy shade of red was a recurring theme of their latest SS24 collection… perhaps, the red trend will stay with us way after fall.

Chain details such as handles were also super popular on the FW23 runway: gold and silver hardware decorated the accessories at Chanel, Loewe, Givenchy, and Victoria Beckham, among others. Such a perfect way to elevate even the simplest looks!

Silver is the other big colour trend we’re going to see for FW23, from apparel to accessories. A silver handbag in particular is the perfect pop of colour to spruce up any daytime outfit—like we’ve seen at Molly Goddard—, or even the final piece of a disco-inspired night look à la Paco Rabanne.