Picture an It bag and what comes to mind? A sleek baguette bag, or perhaps a chain-strap cross-body, both of which likely boast an iconic logo in premium metal hardware. Although they are usually versatile—you’ll be hard-pressed to find an outfit a quilted Chanel won’t go with, after all—bags with status are often more formal-looking. That, however, is not necessarily the case when it comes to 2024’s need-to-know arm candy.
Like the rest of our wardrobes, designer handbags are taking a practical and effortless turn this season. In place of fancy clutches or minuscule styles that hold your debit card but very little else, it’s clear that roomy and relaxed totes are dominating the premium handbag scene for the months ahead, and there’s already plenty to choose from.
While Loewe’s baskets and Dior’s canvas style have become something of a status symbol, it’s not all about straw and canvas. Large leather totes are on the up, and they’re particularly well suited for winter dressing. Dragon Diffusion and Bottega Veneta’s woven iterations have proven popular in fashion circles, but the options truly are extensive, from classic Gucci and Saint Laurent styles to irresistibly chic minimalist designs by the likes of Khaite and Toteme. So there really is a designer tote bag to suit you, whatever your aesthetic may be.
Their appeal is simple: They’re roomy enough to hold just about everything you could need (your phone, purse, laptop, keys, snack stash, water bottle, and probably the items you pick up on the way home for dinner) but present a chic way to do so. This is the sort of bag you can grab and go, confident in the knowledge it’ll look the part with a myriad of autumn-ready looks.
Keep scrolling to discover the designer tote bags we love right now. Trust us—you’ll be tempted never to use another bag again.
Next Up: The Capsule Handbag Collection I’m Curating in My 30s
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
