Fall Fashion Head to Toe: The 10 Biggest Trends in Bags and Accessories

Our Fall Fashion Head-to-Toe series features all that's hot as the weather gets crisp. We'll fill you in on everything that's so of-the-moment for hair, beauty, fashion, and more. Stay tuned for all five installments of the season's must-read guide.

As we finally ease into fall, it’s hard to choose the best part of the season. Is it the gorgeous foliage? Or perhaps it’s the crisp weather or pumpkin spice lattes? Actually, I’ll go with none of the above. The best part of fall is the fact that after an overlong sweaty season you can finally pile on all the accessories. Karen Giberson, President of the Accessories Council, helped brainstorm a list of 10 picks for the season’s must-have accessories.

Before you’re too bundled up to wear something quite so delicate, you definitely need a small,square shaped handbag. The best of the season come with crossbody straps, extra embellishments and can even be worn as a clutch. This cute one from Rebecca Minkoff has different colored tassels to match nearly anything you wear.

If your purse of preference must always has room for that extra kitchen sink, you’ll probably prefer a roomier backpack. Backpacks were everywhere on the street outside New York Fashion Week in classic leather or heavily embellished with studs or embroidery. Giberson likes this elegant black leather one from Coach.

Menswear inspired fashion is huge this season. Add some sparkle or a whimsical touch to your bomber jacket or lapel with a fun accent pin. Lapel pins made appearances at a recent Tommy Hilfiger show, and dotted winter coats at Toronto and Milan Fashion Week. These Soxfords superhero inspired pins are beyond adorable and cost less than $20.00 each. 

With updated ‘90s fashion so hot this season, it was inevitable that chokers would make another appearance. Kim K and North wore matching chokers in a recent snap, and Zendaya has been seriously rocking chokers for a while now.  This minimalist Eleanor Kalle version adds the slightest bit of rocker-chick chic to any outfit.

This season, look for the once humble pom pom is everywhere--from collars to coats to earrings. Giberson chose this cute version from Adrienne Landau since you can use it as a key chain or clip to your belt or handbag. 

It’s like the Swiss Army Knife of accessories. Wear it at the neck for some European flair. Wrap it over your entire body and cinch with a belt when it’s too warm for a coat, but too cold for no cover up at all. Kinross Cashmere combines muted neutrals in their Intarsia Travel Wrap. 

The midcentury classic has gotten an extreme makeover. Gone are the heavy plastic temples, which have been replaced by lighter variations with titanium, heavy accenting, or negative-space detailing. Spotted on Fergie and Jessica Chastain, they look pest paired with menswear or pencil skirts and slicked back ponytails. This Marc Jacobs version has a futuristic double wire design.  

If you’ve ever been up close at a concert, you might have noticed the intricate detailing that goes into the guitar straps. From fine-leather tooling to elaborate embroidery, the modest leather strap can create a mood. Inspired by ‘70s era bucket bags, many designers are swapping out the plain leather strap for something with a significantly more rock-star aesthetic.

It’s time to make room for the ornate and heavily detailed shoulder dusters or over-the-top hoops  that were all the rage on the runways. The best of the season also combine a popular vintage aesthetic that showed up at some of the fall shows--think a mashup of Stevie Nicks, Marie Antoinette, and Willow Smith.

While many of the trends this season are bleeding edge chic, there was also a vintage vibe to a lot of the accessories. Small, intricately beaded and fringed purses inspired by the Victorian era or adorable embroidered flower-power inspired handbags showed up everywhere. Also, you can wear them for evening or daytime, depending on your mood. The vintage-inspired bags popped up on the runways at Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli and Christopher Kane.

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