Shopping Guide: AW25 Handbags
12th November, 2025
Akin to perfectly sharpened pencils and a crisp note pad, a new handbag to take you through autumn and winter gives the same feeling of purposeful optimism. A new bag means business, whether it be a roomy tote to store all our essentials or a dramatically bling clutch that will be by your side throughout the party season. The perfect buy should be an investment for years to come, so we’ve tried and tested our favourite styles to find the shape to suit you now and beyond.
Feeling Retro
Retro-inspired bags have surged back into the fashion conversation, driven by our enduring obsession with early-2000s style and the reassuring sophistication of accessories that span seasons. Oh and it might also be the wow return of the Balenciaga Le City bag, what a revival that was. But what to pick for AW25? Take for instance the beautifully minimal yet nostalgic appeal of Marge Sherwood’s Soft Boston Bag. The brand draws on ’90s and early-’00s silhouettes and spirit, favouring soft curves, subtle detailing and quiet luxury. At the same time, the ultra-modern utilitarian flair of Coperni Cargo Baguette Bag channels the baguette-and-cargo hybrid aesthetic of the late-2000s, reinterpreted for today. Simply put: retro-inspired bags are the new neutrals – versatile, meaningful and inherently chic.
Well Woven
Woven bags have become the quiet heroes of contemporary style, symbolising craftsmanship, timelessness, and understated luxury. Once reserved for summer escapes, they’ve evolved into year-round essentials that balance artisanal texture with modern refinement. Brands like Dragon Diffusion and St. Agni are stand out brands, reimagining the woven bag as an investment piece rather than a passing trend. Dragon Diffusion’s hand-braided leather totes develop a beautiful patina over time, embodying the charm of something truly made by hand. In contrast, St. Agni’s minimalist woven silhouettes capture the brand’s coastal Australian roots, pairing organic textures with clean, architectural lines. Whether paired with minimalist tailoring or effortless denim, they transcend seasons and settings with ease. An enduring design that’s stylish yet subtle, woven bags aren’t just accessories; they’re modern heirlooms that fuse tradition, modernity and chic precision.
Luxe Fluidity
Both shape and material celebrate fluidity this season, showcased in sculptural masterpieces from the likes of Published By to Benedetta Bruzziches’ liquid metal-like clutch bags. It’s a known fact, a Published By bag is there to be adored. A work of art as much as an accessory, with volume and curve that are structurally bold and unmistakably ‘architecture-meets-fashion’. For an evening wear bag, Benedetta Bruzziches nails shimmering material and fluidity. Crafted in metal mesh and chainmail-like constructions that reflect light and look spectacular with movement as light hits the bags surface.
