Compared with the wave of house debuts for spring/summer, the fall/winter 2026 season was business as usual—sort of. Only a handful of inaugural showcases this time around, but the sophomore collections brought plenty of ideas to the fore, including an abundance of ready-to-wear and bag trends.
The Key Fall 2026 Handbag Trends to Shop Now:
Pieter Mulier focused on the former in his last show for Alaïa after a five-year stint, which Vogue’s Sarah Mower described as “quiet perfectionism”. “It’s just really clothes for real people, not for an image,” Mulier said. “To reduce, reduce. No bags, no jewelry. Only beauty and clothes and a naked shoe. Because that’s what Azzedine was.”
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Yet, during his tenure, Mulier delivered a number of It-bags, the most recent being his Le Teckel—meaning “sausage dog” in French, for its slimline shape—which will hold its value far beyond his departure. In fact, he could be credited with influencing the current streamlined, top-handle bag trend —the east-west—designed with the same tuck-under-your-arm spirit as the Le Teckel—which was present across recent runway shows.
Top handles in various iterations, including this popular east-west shape, acted as props for the 15 models cast at Prada, each of whom wore four layered looks that transformed as they walked the runway. Elsewhere, the intentionally undone Amazona 18 bag, introduced at Loewe by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, returned in a swathe of new colorways and finishes.
Chanel also went bold with bags this season, exhibiting everything from supersized shoulder bags and siren-red croc-embossed companions to delicately embroidered flap bags. The mood Anthony Vaccarello conveyed at Saint Laurent, however, was quite the opposite: skinny envelopes clasped by models on his carpeted runway. These clutch wallets accompanied Vaccarello’s step-and-repeat of suits that comprised the opening eight looks–a nod to the 60th anniversary of the Le Smoking, one of the house’s most revolutionary contributions to the industry. Along with clutches, minaudières were also a prominent trend this season; these jewel-like purses—akin to special occasion jewelry—had a strong presence at Loewe, Dior, and Chanel. The newcomer this season was the U-Shape bag (also known as the half moon bag), seen at Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tod’s; think of it as the new slouch bag. This season, croc-embossed bags appeared across an array of accessories, especially in bags.
Here, Vogue brings you seven standout trends from the collections that are worth shopping right now.
East West Is Here to Stay
The east-to-west silhouette from season’s past is more prominent than ever. From Chanel’s punchy color to Bottega Veneta's more neutral options, the elongated silhouette shows up in top handles, shoulders, and tote bags. Then there is Fendi’s iconic baguette bag, the gift that keeps on giving. Sleek yet spacious, it packs a punch without overdoing it.
Croco Calling
Crocodile, whether real exotic leather or embossed, made its mark this season, too, elevating the simplest of shapes with a tactile, high-gloss finish. Prada, Celine, Chanel, and Tory Burch all made a case for croco. Lean into the trend by adding a neutral or bold color to your wardrobe; this texture adds that ultimate touch of luxury.
All-Rounder Top-Handle
Top-handle bags bring an entirely different vibe to the act of carrying a bag, since they can only be grasped with one hand or slipped into the crook of an arm. No bother: you’ll want the profiles of the new bags from Hermès, Dior and Prada on full display. More rigid top-handles leaned into doctor bag territory with curved proportions (see Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler), while others, such as Jonathan Anderson’s playful Cigale, offered a new everyday silhouette, fitting for night and day. This is the perfect bag to take from the office to an evening out, the ultimate investment for any wardrobe.
Super Shoulder Bags
Shoulder bags are traditionally quite small, holding just a few belongings, but the shows offered a fresh crop of styles scaled up ever so slightly. They still fit snugly on the shoulder, tucking easily under the arm, with more room for everyday items–some (from the likes of Chanel, Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta) could even hold a laptop.
Half Moon Shapes
Consider the crescent bag the slouchy bag’s more sculptural cousin—still slouchy but not expressly relaxed. This season, the curved half moon (or U shape) silhouette was spotted everywhere from Dior to Tod’s, Polo, Stella, and Louis Vuitton. Choose from bigger sizes for day, or a smaller one for the evening. Think of this as the new slouch bag of the season.
Playful Minaudières
Evening affairs—be they a wedding or a gala—call for accents that are a conversation starter. Designers interpreted the assignment differently, but many brought whimsy to it: Chanel strung a glossy pomegranate from a wristlet chain, while Dior turned the frog prince into a valiant dinner companion. From metal-finished to leather minaudieres, these bags are exquisite, almost like a jewelry piece that holds just the essentials.
New Clutch Era
Once upon a time, clutches were restricted to evening use, but recent seasons have changed that mindset. Look to the supple, pillowy pouches at Loewe, Bottega Veneta, and Stella McCartney, which would be just as fitting out on the town as they would on your morning commute. The clutch has proven to be a fashion favorite, especially this season; we have seen it worn during fashion week.
