Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, Celine, Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu and Prada Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story 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 East To West Fendi baguette Jump to review $3,700 FENDI
The Textured Bag Chan Luu puppy potli pouch Jump to review $390 SHOP
The Commuter Essential DeMellier The Stockholm midi tote Jump to review $615 NET-A-PORTER
The Tassle Bag Le Sundial Lee tasseled clutch Jump to review $995 NET-A-PORTER
The Slouchy Top-Handle Miu Miu Rendez-Vous bag Jump to review $4,700 MIU MIU
The Half Moon Bag Flattered Alva big bag Jump to review $495 REVOLVE
The Animal Print Bag Khaite Joan Hobo bag Jump to review $2,700 KHAITE
The New-Gen Clutch Toteme satin clutch Jump to review $750 NET-A-PORTER
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.”
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-embossing also appeared across an array of accessories, especially in bags. For all upcoming holiday festivities, tassel bags feel like an elegant touch to add to any ensemble. While textured bags complement any cozy outfit.
Here, Vogue brings you seven standout trends from the collections that are worth shopping right now.
Photos: Courtesy of Celine, Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, Chanel, and Fendi Eas…