There’s a collective itch among the style set to jump into fall 2025’s trends ahead of schedule. I see it among my fellow New York City fashion editors, who are already putting their knee-high boots and penny loafers into play. I notice it in Rihanna, who’s wearing fur stoles on 80-degree Los Angeles dinner dates. And I feel it within myself, as my shopping wishlist fills up with fall’s irresistible bag trends—think: brushed suedes and earthy color palettes that are synonymous with the back-to-school season.
That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed experimenting with the summer ‘25 bag trends—my raffia bucket bag has served me very well over the last three months, and I plan to keep my cheetah crossbody in rotation for a few more weeks. It’s more that the bags shown on the Fall 2025 runways were so tempting, delicious, and decadent—three words: chocolate brown snakeskin— that I’m eager to give them a try even though August has only just begun.
Consider the below a glimpse into the designer handbags on my radar and the affordable styles inside my virtual shopping carts across Madewell, Nordstrom, and Free People. From boho bags with enduring Y2K appeal to slouchy shoulder bags in caramel-colored leather, these are my favorite fall bag trends getting an early start.
Brown Leather Bags
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Right as I’ve grown a bit bored of my neutral black handbags, fashion pivots toward embracing brown, specifically warm caramel colors. The natural shade offers a bit more dimension than solid black, as seen in the pebble leather crossbody seen on Calvin Klein’s Fall 2025 runway.
Coach
Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28
If, for whatever reason, you’ve not yet heard of Coach’s Brooklyn bag, fall 2025 is the ideal time to get acquainted with the viral, Bella Hadid-approved, Marie Claire editor-vetted tote. I’m partial to its medium-sized cappuccino suede iteration.
Free People
We the Free Emerson Tote Bag
I love the inherent boho vibe of this vintage-looking 16.5-inch Free People tote. It also comes with a modular crossbody strap, making it a strong contender for a great versatile work bag.
Madwell
The Essential Curve Shoulder Bag
Here’s another boho bag that’s calling my name—this one from Madewell with eye-catching gold studs that are surely compliment magnets.
J.Crew
Berkeley Small Shoulder Bag in Suede
This J.Crew shoulder bag in caramel-colored suede matches this season’s trends, but I can press “buy” with confidence because I also know I’ll bring it back out next year, too.
Free People
Roma Suede Tote Bag
I’m a sucker for a slouchy handbag—which is why I’ve been eyeing Free People’s Roma bag for (and this isn’t an exaggeration) five straight months. Now’s the time to commit.
Snake Print Bags
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
After leopard print and cheetah spots had their time in the fashion spotlight, designers decree that it’s now snakeskin’s time to shine. Miu Miu led the charge for the Fall 2025 season, sending out a series of snake print mini top-handle totes and east-west bags in warm mahogany and sooty gray.
Free People
Weho Slouchy Tote Bag
See my aforementioned note about slouchy bags—I can’t resist!
Shopbop
Isabel Marant Skano Bag
That said, I also appreciate a bag with a more structured, intentional design, like Isabel Marant’s half-moon, studded Skano, another easy nod to the ongoing boho revival.
8 Other Reasons
Knot Shoulder Bag
This black-and-white snake print purse would be an easy addition to my various all-black going-out outfits.
MANGO
Kira Snakeskin Embossed Leather Shoulder Bag
This snake-patterned Mango shoulder bag with gold accents looks far more expensive than it actually is—and it’s currently 45 percent off, making it even more of a no-brainer buy.
Ganni
Small Snake Bou Top Handle Bag
Padlock and Key Bags
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
As you’ve likely already detected from the proliferation of suede and studs—and my use of “boho” five times so far (I counted)—it’s a big season for the free-spirited aesthetic. The various kitschy padlocks and key accents on handbags scattered across the season’s top runways—namely, Chloé’s re-imagined Y2K-era Paddington bags—doubled down on the boho boom.
Free People
X We the Free Leigh Distressed Hobo Bag
I imagine this distressed-looking brown-black bag slung over a white maxi skirt and a cropped sweater for a casual Saturday.
Marc Jacobs
The Cristina Leather Tote Bag
Full disclosure: I actually already own the Marc Jacobs Cristina bag, though I have the black leather satchel style. After quickly falling in love with the lock-and-key style, I’m also eyeing the tote bag in ivory, which would be a very chic upgrade to my current beat-up canvas tote.
Chocolate brown strikes again! This decadent dark handbag, contrasted with a metal lock decal, is everything I want in a rich-looking purse.
DeMellier London
Siena Hobo Bag
Mark my words: DeMellier London is the bag brand you might not be familiar with now, but you’re about to be in a few months. The Kate Middleton-approved label is known for its high-quality leather goods at mid-tier pricing, like its Siena style.
Shopbop
Florian London Anya Clutch
I’ve been on the market for a clutch that won’t be awkward to carry. This top-handle style in ostrich-embossed brown leather with a sculptural key decal might be the one that moves me to press “buy”.
Quilted Bags
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
As seen at Gucci, as well as Chanel, Miu Miu, and Fendi, craft-centric quilted handbags are about to be on every city block and every in-the-know retailer shelf. As much as I do love the refined look of a puffed and padded leather handbag, I’m also on the hunt for an anti-fussy quilted tote I can throw on and go, like Free People’s.
Coach
Quilted Tabby Shoulder 26 Bag
What’s not to love about Coach’s everlasting quilted Tabby bag? The classic shoulder bag is so versatile, it appeals to a vast assortment of It girls, ranging from Charli XCX to Jennifer Lopez.
Free People
Quilted Carryall Bag
At first glance and after some cursory clicks into its reviews, I just know that this $78 quilted carry-all is about to make my trips to the gym and park picnics that much easier.
Tory Burch
Kira Diamond-Quilted Leather Chain Wallet Bag
A more under-the-radar, neutral take on must-touch quilting, Tory Burch’s Kira wallet bag is a fail-safe addition to almost any outfit imaginable.
MANGO
Quilted Suede Shoulder Bag
Be warned: If you add this quilted brown suede bag with a light-catching chain strap to your collection, expect to be repeatedly stopped by strangers and asked where it’s from. It’s that good.
Desigual
Diamond Quilted Faux Leather Shoulder Bag
I am not, nor ever will I be, over the cherry red color trend. The juicy shade is a scrumptious color pop that, in my book, is almost a neutral at this point.
