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London Fashion Week may have come and gone in an apparent blink of the eye, but that doesn’t mean we’re finished talking about the trends coming off the runways, or the style we spotted between shows. London often has some of the most eclectic street style on the fashion month calendar, with attendees embracing edgier styles, mixing eclectic trends, and championing emerging local designers.
As we scrolled through the countless images of chic showgoers, a few trends emerged. Plaid was seemingly everywhere, and this season, it wasn’t limited to kilt-like skirts, but also in halter tops and jackets. We also noticed a strong Bridgerton influence, with flouncy regency-core-esque silhouettes breezing around the streets of London.
But there was one trend we’ve been keeping our eye on the past few months that was cemented at London Fashion Week. In one sense, our sartorial dreams are lofty, but in another, they’re entirely achievable. In short, all we want to wear after London Fashion Week is a brown designer bag — even better if it’s a slouchy, lived-in, oversized bag that fits our entire lives inside.
The brown bags of London Fashion Week are delightfully relaxed, though admittedly, most of their price tags are not. Jewelled Prada Bostons, oversized Miu Miu totes, and filled-to-the-brim Chanel bags were spotted on just about every street corner, and what’s particularly calling to us is the wearability. We’re huge fans of buying well and using it forever, and frankly, a beaten, battered, and therefore, well-loved handbag will always be more stylish in our eyes than a pristine bag that sits on a shelf in your apartment.
Brown bags may not seem like a groundbreaking trend, but their status as London’s street style staple suggests a turn towards a more laid-back approach to event dressing that we just can’t get enough of. Rich caramel leathers and buttery, chocolate suede have a soft cosiness to them that black bags simply don’t.
When investing in designer bags, so many of us feel pressure to buy a black bag, with the defence that it will be more timeless, but a brown bag is a universally flattering option that we are confident you won’t ever tire of.
Perhaps this is the push you need to take the plunge with your next designer purchase, but in case you want a cheaper option, we’ve added both affordable and luxury options that you can shop, below. And if you have a brown tote knocking around in the back of your wardrobe, consider this your sign to pull her out and give her another run this spring.
2024’s Top Brown Designer Handbags
- Aventure Nappa Leather Bag, $6,100, Miu Miu (here’s why)
- Large Suede Bag, $4,550, Prada (here’s why)
- 22 Small Handbag, $10,050, Chanel (here’s why)
The Best Brown Designer Handbags To Shop In 2024
01
Miu Miu Aventure Nappa Leather Bag
$6,100 at Miu Miu
This Miu Miu bag is a style that was pulled from the archives and reinterpreted for 2024. The result is a bag that has become a staple amongst the street style set this season, likely thanks to its slightly lived-in slouch and feather-light weight. It’s large enough to hold a laptop and has purse feet, which has become a bit of a rarity in luxury bags but is appreciated in those moments when it’s inappropriate to commondier an extra chair to seat your handbag.
Colours: Black, briarwood, oak (pictured) | Materials: Leather
02
Prada Large Suede Bag
$4,550 at Farfetch
Against our better judgment, we find it difficult to resist the allure of a buttery-soft suede handbag like this one from Prada. It’s roomy enough to fit all the necessities and the shoulder strap is both removable (it can be swapped for a crossbody) and long enough to make this bag wearable even over the thickest coats in winter. It’s certainly worth the effort of checking the weather apps for any chance of rain before leaving the house every morning.
Colours: Cocoa brown | Materials: Nappa leather
03
Chanel 22 Small Handbag
$ 10,050 at Chanel
Debuted at the spring/summer 2022 Ready-to-Wear show, the Chanel 22 was named after one of the House’s iconic fragrances. Upon its release, the 22 divided Chanel lovers, but two years on, it’s become a new icon for the brand, thanks to its classic chain straps and modern rectangular shape. It’s also an extremely lightweight designer bag, which is a huge bonus.
Colours: Camel (pictured), black | Materials: Shiny Grained Calfskin
04
Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39
$895 at Coach
This bag from Coach is shaping up to be one of the most popular of the Fashion Month season, and was spotted all over the street style galleries from New York Fashion Week. It may just be the perfect size for anyone who loves (or needs) to carry their life with them at all times, as it’s even big enough to fit a 15-inch laptop, plus, the magnetic snap closure will keep everything nicely contained inside.
Colours: Maple (pictured), tan, black | Materials: Natural grain leather
06
MNG Leather Shopper Bag
$189.95 at Mango
This tote from Mango is the perfect size (and also the perfect price). It’s made from 100% bovine leather suede and has an adjustable shoulder strap, thanks to its silver-toned pin buckle. Plus, the magnetic closure and internal zip pocket will help to keep all your valuables somewhat contained.
Colours: Brown, mid brown | Materials: Suede
05
Dragon Diffusion Santa Rosa Woven Leather Shoulder Bag
$645 at Shopbop
The warm-toned, burnished finish on this woven leather bag is precisely the polished yet laid-back vibe we try to emulate at all times. Dragon Diffusion is known for creating gorgeous woven handbags, and this bucket shape with a chunky weave is a true thing of beauty.
Colours: Brown | Materials: Leather
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The post A Brown Designer Bag Is All We Want To Wear Right Now appeared first on ELLE.