September is traditionally the time when people make significant investment purchases, and so you’ll often find that headline-making handbag launches are slotted into the autumn/winter collections. The feeling of needing a new-term backpack or satchel tends to seep into adulthood, and so autumn is also the time when demand for practical totes and laptop-friendly shoulder bags spikes. As always, the Vogue Shopping team is here to help you narrow down your search, from our analysis of the handbag trends defining the autumn/winter 2026 collections to our run down of the designer handbags that will stand the test of time.

A steep increase in costs has meant it’s now near impossible to buy an It-bag from a luxury powerhouse label for under £1,500, which has made way for brands like DeMellier and Liffner to thrive with their competitive pricing and focus on detail-led craftsmanship. If you’re looking for a new bag this autumn and don’t know where to start, below we outline the labels that are being name-dropped regularly on the Shopping desk.

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Dragon Diffusion Santa Croce Big Woven Leather Tote

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DeMellier The Siena Suede Shoulder Bag

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Shopping producer, Mia Portet, is a big fan of Valesque’s ’90s-style nylon shoppers, and is rarely seen exiting the Adelphi lifts without one. I have already written a love letter to my Dragon Diffusion tote on British , while DeMellier’s suede handbags are perhaps the most-featured products in our shopping stories. Keep reading for the brands that are commanding our attention this autumn.

When it comes to contemporary handbag brands, DeMellier has had a remarkable rise from little-known label to serious power player holding its own against heritage It-bags. With a timeless, refined aesthetic and focus on craftsmanship, its bags fall in the future heirlooms bracket, however unlike luxury design houses where you’d struggle to find a handbag for under £1,000, the majority of DeMellier’s bags sit below the £700 bracket.

For a fashionable spin on a bookish tote, look no further than Valesque which reimagines nylon shoppers. Founded in 2023 by Valeska Dütsch and Sophie Berianidze, it creates simple shoulder bags with a ’90s silhouette using nylons sourced from Italy, France and Japan and crushed velvet in grey and moss green, which is particularly fitting for autumn months.

Autumn is often a time for pared-back wardrobe staples, and Liffner is part of the wave of contemporary brands mastering minimalist handbags. Following a rebrand at the end of 2024, it tightened its focus on simple, clean lines – the Mega Sprout suede tote bag continues to be one of its hero buys, while the suede bucket bags have a distinctive supple shape and buckle.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that woven accessories are reserved for summer months, however Dragon Diffusion’s handbags are far sturdier than your average basket bag. Crafted from leather using rich colours such as burgundy, emerald, tan and mahogany, they work just as well as an office tote as a beach bag. For autumn outfit inspiration, see Ashley Olsen who wore hers with baggy jeans and a cobalt-blue barn jacket.

Small Leather Woven Santa Croce Tote Bag

Bamboo Triple Jump Big Woven Leather Tote

St Agni is one of the brands, alongside the likes of Toteme and Rohe, that has been fuelling the minimalist movement of late, with its modern take on everyday staples. Although the aesthetic is rooted in an appreciation of timeless, functional design, it is never one dimensional or boring, which is mainly achieved through fluid silhouettes that bring a sense of movement. In the handbag department nothing is too rigid or structured, as everything looks like it’s been perfectly worn in for you; from crescent bags to oversized totes there is a softness to the bags, with supple leather that folds and ripples beautifully.

St. Agni

St. Agni

A newer addition to the roster, La Mama launched in September 2026 as creative directors Kate Aubrey and Kyra Griffin wanted a handbag that was elegant and luxurious, but could withstand their hectic family lives. “We didn’t set out to launch an accessories brand,” they explain on their website. “We just wanted a bag that could handle the day and work with anything, anywhere. The one that can sit among fashion, but survive the day as it actually happens.” The product line is tightly edited, as the brand launched with an embossed leather tote bag and a simple clutch – both are supersized to house everything from snacks to sticker books to your own make-up bag.