Your handbag doesn’t just hold your stuff; it completes your outfit. A stylish bag can elevate your look and add interest. Or a worn out, unsightly bag can destroy your outfit. And while you do not have to invest in luxury bags, you will want to complete your fall wardrobe with a versatile bag or two that you can wear with confidence.
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Yes, you read that correctly. You don’t just carry a bag; you wear it. Any time you are seen carrying a purse or wearing it across your shoulder or arm, it becomes a part of your overall look. It accessorizes your look…beautifully or horribly. And, like a belt or shoes, a handbag or shoulder bag is not just the icing on the cake; it serves as the icing that holds the cake together, helping your outfit to look cohesive and easy on the eyes.
Top Trends for Fall 2025
I think it’s smart to have two or more bags that you can wear with multiple outfits each season. So consider the neutrals you’ll be wearing, the belts and shoes you’ll want to coordinate with and the types of bags that best suit your lifestyle needs and personal preferences. I also encourage you to choose bags that work nicely for your personal frame. Petites probably don’t want to carry oversized totes and larger women might look a little awkward with especially tiny bags. But in the end it’s smart to choose bags that “check all the boxes” for your personal preferences (pockets, zip pockets, enclosure style, size, shoulder strap length, etc.) and that look stylish.
We want go through all the micro trends in handbags right now (purse charms, embellishments, etc.), but I’ll share the biggest trending categories of bags that I think work for most modern women over 50. These are the ones you’ll find readily in your favorite brands, and they’ll help you to step out in confidence.
Suede
Suede is trending in every category this fall, from handbags and shoes and belts to jackets and skirts and coats. You’ll find genuine suede handbags in a wide range of prices and styles, but you can also find faux suede options at lower prices.
My Berkley shoulder bag is 100% genuine suede leather and is available in this style in two other colors. I love the size of this bag and that it does have one open pocket. It has a flat bottom, but the bag is not structured. It features a “rough” suede and has a magnetic closure. You can also get this bag at a higher price with a chain strap. And you can have the bag monogrammed, too. I’ve collected a number of other suede and faux suede options for you in the shopping widget below.
Hobo Bags
Hobo style bags continue to be very on trend this year. I purchased this AllSaints leather hobo bag in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for a good price, and it is even less expensive now. That said, I DO NOT recommend this bag. It turns out that the interior stains the contents of your bag. If you purchased one of these because you saw that I had, I do apologize. I didn’t realize it was doing that until just recently. But I am showing it here simply as an example of a modern and stylish hobo bag that you might want to add to your wardrobe.
To that end I’ve created a shopping widget below filled with very suitable options from brands I can highly recommend. A hobo bag is characterized by a large open space inside rather than compartments. But many do feature side pockets and even interior zip pockets. Read the descriptions carefully for the best purchase.
Top Handle Bags
A top handle bag is usually a ladylike purse with a single or double strap that fits just in your hand or over your wrist. Many of these stylish bags also come with detachable shoulder straps, so read the descriptions for features like that.
A top handle purse will give your outfit a boost of femininity, so it’s a smart option when you are wearing menswear inspired pieces that you want to soften. I like to look for a top handle bag that has a flat bottom and feet, so that it sits up off the surface.
Flap Crossbody Bags
Crossbody bags continue to be a smart option for when you’re out and about and want to keep your personal belongings close to you. They are generally smaller than shoulder bags or totes, so always read the dimension of these bags carefully since the size can look different depending on the frame of the model wearing it.
Right now the biggest trend in crossbody bags is the fold over flap with a magnetic or other closure. These generally offer easy access, but also keep your valuables fairly safe if worn with the flap towards your body. Because this bag is worn across the body (or on one shoulder) it’s all the more important to consider the size of your frame when choosing this bag. Look for one with an adjustable strap so you can fix the length to what works best for your height. Right now we’re wearing crossbody bags a little shorter than in the past, around the top of the hip or even higher.
Croc Embossed Bags
Another trend we’re seeing in bags this year is the prevalence of croc embossed leather and faux leather. This chic texture can elevate your most basic looks.
You’ll find these croc embossed options in a wide range of handbag styles, and I’ve located several favorites for you below.
Totes
I love a tote and think it’s a wardrobe essential for a woman on the go. Especially when I travel, I like a tote for carrying more stuff and keeping it safer and organized.
My Veronica Beard Goody leather tote is marked down again and still available in this versatile sand dollar and navy. I’ve carried it on several trips already. I appreciate that it has a large center zip compartment, several open pockets on the interior sides (perfect for glasses or phone) and an interior side zip pocket. It also has two exterior pockets for easy access. And the soft leather strap is so comfortable in your hand or on your shoulder.
Thanks so much for dropping in. Let me know you have any questions. I always enjoy hearing from you in the comments. Have a great Friday!
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Blessed for My Day
It’s your responsibility. Sometimes I’m prone to think that “somebody should…” or “they should…” But over the years I’ve learned that there is no they or somebody. If I feel strongly that something should be done in this world, then “I should…”
It is my responsibility and yours to tell the next generations about the mighty things we have seen God do. Let’s take advantage of every opportunity we have to share how desperately we have needed the Lord and how wonderfully and faithfully He has shown up for us. Let’s be real about the hard times, but also forthright about God’s goodness and blessings and grace. Unless we tell them, they may not know. But if we do share our testimony of God’s faithfulness they will be encouraged and emboldened to seek Him, too.
O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you? ~ Psalm 71:17-19
Your attention to detail is so helpful! I was about to order the Berkley bag when I read your “snap closure” remark. So I clicked through your link, and looked very carefully at the pictures and saw the little magnetic snap. Sigh! A zip top is a must for me with all handbags. Phooey! So thank you for explaining each product so well. You saved me from missing a critical detail and having to return the bag. 🙂 I appreciated this post also for your reminder that our handbag is part of our outfit, and can either complement or detract from what we wear. I’m not really into having a lot of handbags, but I am making sure the ones I do have really work well for me.
Hi Kay. Love all the bags, especially the suede one and the ladylike top handle one. I hope handbags might be the topic of an upcoming video. I think I know when a bag doesn’t work with an outfit but I’m never quite sure of what shoes to put with my chosen bag – should they match or not? Also, what to do with a coloured bag – should it just be a pop of colour in a neutral outfit? For an investment bag, what would you suggest for style and colour?
Yes, I do have a video coming up in a few weeks on accessorizing your outfits. For an investment bag I would go with black or another neutral that you envision wearing frequently.
Thank you for being truthful about when you would not recommend a product. Most of us have a budget we need to work with and when we purchase a product of poor quality, we do not have the extra money to buy another item to replace it. Also, I know you show a lot of Veronica Beard products. Though I know they are beautiful and very good quality, I cannot afford to pay $700.00 to 1000.00 for a purse. would not have the money for any other Fall items. Would like to see more similar good quality purses, etc as well as the high dollar items. Very nice BFMD. Have a blessed day.
I do carry Veronica Beard, Coach and Tory Burch bags mostly, but I always offer other options in the shopping widgets. That said, I don’t want to spend money on bags I’m not personally going to carry just to use them in photos. So what I have in my personal wardrobe is what you’re going to see in the photos. 😊
I am loving all of the brown items! Do you think you can wear brown in the spring? I need a lighter weight jacket for a trip and am wondering if brown will be too dark to wear and that a lighter green or navy color would be better. What do you think?
Yes, you absolutely can wear brown in the spring. You’ll just style your outfit differently, but brown can be a beautiful color to add to spring outfits.
I love this posts as I think handbags are fun. I also love a tote when I travel. It’s an easy way to keep organized. Thanks for your honesty about the purse that stains.
Kay! That Tweed coat in the first photo! Yummy. Did I miss something or is the link to it not here? Thanks!
Never mind! I found it:)
Thanks for showing us the current trends in handbags. I think Portland Leather has a nice selection of leather handbags in many different designs and colors. Their prices are quite reasonable.