17 Must-Have Bags for the Season: Clutches, Crossbodies, Work Totes and Travel Bags

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A good bag makes getting dressed easier. A small clutch for dinner. A crossbody for walking around town. A tote for work, and a travel bag that holds what you actually need. These are the must-have bags I would look at for the season.

This is the bag edit I would start with for the season: rich brown leather, burgundy suede, a little red, snake-effect texture and a few soft shearling pieces for winter. There are designer bags for a dressed-up night out and practical totes for everyday life. You do not need all 17. Start with the category you are missing, then choose the one that works with what you already wear.

Some picks are current seasonal styles and others are useful carryover favorites. The point is a complete bag wardrobe, not buying a whole new one every season.

A new collection to browse: DeMellier ICONS 26 adds fresh versions of familiar shapes. Two options are woven into the everyday-bag section below: a burgundy croc-effect Siena bucket and a fern suede New York. These are extra alternatives to the 17-bag edit, so you can compare them with the other brands rather than treating a new launch as a reason to buy another bag.

Shop the Bag Edit by Occasion

• Clutches and going-out bags: Alaïa Le Teckel, Bottega Veneta Andiamo clutch, Khaite Audrey and Chloé Marcie Foulard.
• Crossbody bags: Polene Numero Dix and Khaite Kye shearling.
• Everyday totes and top-handle bags: DeMellier New York, Khaite Lotus and Longchamp Le Pliage, plus the Gucci Horsebit Duomo.
• Work bags: Prada Bonnie and the Saint Laurent Sac De Jour.
• Travel and resort bags: Chloé Paddington XL, Longchamp Le Pliage travel bag, Mansur Gavriel Everyday Soft Tote and my Chloé Woody basket.
• A small winter bag: Jimmy Choo Drawstring Mini shearling.

Best Clutches and Going-Out Bags

1. Alaïa Le Teckel Medium in Rouge Carmin

A red bag does a lot for a simple outfit. Le Teckel has that long, narrow shape and elongated handles that make it feel different from the usual mini bag. The two-way zip keeps the top closed. Wear it with dark denim and a black jacket, or let it be the color with an otherwise neutral dinner look.

Alaïa Le Teckel Medium in Rouge Carmin

2. Bottega Veneta Andiamo Intrecciato Leather Clutch in Black

For dinner, this is the bag that makes a plain knit dress feel finished. Black woven leather, a top handle and gold-tone hardware give the Andiamo clutch enough detail without needing a loud print. Internal card slots keep the small essentials together. Wear it with burgundy, ivory or an all-black outfit.

Bottega Veneta Andiamo Intrecciato Leather Clutch in Black

3. Chloé Marcie Foulard Small in Burnt Red Velvet

For the person who wants a bag that feels like part of the outfit, the velvet Marcie is the one. Burnt red, gold-tone studs and a braided handle bring texture without needing a printed dress. I would wear this with a simple knit dress or dark trousers. Keep velvet out of wet weather and save this for dinner rather than the airport.

Chloé Marcie Foulard Small in Burnt Red Velvet

4. Khaite Audrey Suede Clutch in Rouge Noir

Burgundy suede is such a good change from black for the season. The Audrey has a simple shape with sculptural gold-tone hardware and a magnetic-tab closure. This is the clutch for a coat-and-boots dinner outfit, especially with charcoal, chocolate or cream. It is an evening bag first, so check the measurements against your phone and essentials.

Khaite Audrey Suede Clutch in Rouge Noir

Best Crossbody Bags for Town and Travel Days

5. Polene Numero Dix in Textured Taupe

The half-moon shape is a lovely change from a boxy crossbody. Polene’s Numero Dix comes with two adjustable straps, so it works across the body or over the shoulder. Textured taupe calf leather sits quietly against a camel coat, denim or a cream sweater. A zip closure makes it an easy choice for a day out.

Polene Numero Dix in Textured Taupe

6. Khaite Kye Small Shearling Crossbody in Camel and Black

The shearling Kye is the winter-texture pick. It has a zipped top and an adjustable strap, with leather alongside the shearling. I would wear it with a wool coat or a simple sweater rather than another fuzzy piece. It is a small crossbody for town and dinner, not a weatherproof bag for a snowy walk.

Khaite Kye Small Shearling Crossbody in Camel and Black

Best Everyday Totes, Bucket Bags and Top-Handle Bags

7. DeMellier New York Medium Calf Hair Tote in Zebra

A zebra tote is an easy way to make a neutral outfit feel less predictable. This New York has calf hair with leather trims, shoulder straps and internal pockets. The magnetic and snap fastenings give the top some closure. I would use it with a black coat, jeans and loafers, keeping the rest of the look clean.

DeMellier New York Medium Calf Hair Tote in Zebra

8. Khaite Lotus Small Leather Tote in Elephant

The Lotus is for someone who wants a tote with a softer, more sculptural shape. Elephant is a grey neutral that works with black and brown, and the leather-lined interior keeps the look simple. The top is open with a lobster-clasp fastening. This is an everyday handbag rather than a laptop promise: compare the dimensions with what you carry before ordering.

Khaite Lotus Small Leather Tote in Elephant

New Collection Alternative: DeMellier Large Siena Bucket

The ICONS version of the Large Siena Bucket comes in burgundy croc-effect leather. A curved top, concealed magnetic closure and adjustable shoulder strap make it a different direction from the grey Lotus above and the brown Toteme bucket below. There is a hanging zip pocket inside. Compare the size and closure with what you carry each day.

New Collection Alternative: DeMellier New York in Fern Suede

Fern suede changes the feel of the New York tote without changing its belted shape. Long top handles, interior pockets, a central magnet and side snaps are useful details to compare with the Gucci top-handle bag above and the lighter Longchamp below. Suede is the texture to choose when you are comfortable giving it more care than nylon.

9. Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote in Strawberry

The practical everyday tote earns its place too. This Le Pliage has long handles, a zip top and leather trim, and it folds for storage. Strawberry gives a simple outfit a little color. It is also the tote to consider when you want something lighter than a full leather bag. The large everyday version is different from the short-handle travel bag below.

Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote in Strawberry

10. Gucci Horsebit Duomo Small in Sand and Brown GG Canvas

The Duomo is Gucci’s structured top handle with the oversized horsebit closure across the flap. The sand and brown GG canvas keeps it lighter than an all-leather bag, and the brown leather trim stands up to daily wear. It comes with a detachable shoulder strap, so it works crossbody on walking days. The small size fits a phone, card case, keys and sunglasses; compare the dimensions with what you carry before ordering.

Gucci Horsebit Duomo Small Top Handle Bag in GG Canvas

Best Work Totes and Larger Day Bags

11. Prada Bonnie Large Suede Tote in Brown

The Bonnie is the suede work-bag option with a zipped top, elongated handles and a detachable shoulder strap. There is also an internal zipped pocket. Brown suede looks good with tailored trousers and a wool coat, but it needs more care than nylon. Before calling it your laptop bag, compare the bag’s measurements and opening with your device and sleeve.

Prada Bonnie Large Suede Tote in Brown

12. Saint Laurent Sac De Jour Medium in Black Grained Leather

The Sac De Jour is the classic structured work tote: accordion sides, two compartments separated by a zipped pocket, and the small brass padlock at the front. The black supple grained leather is the most forgiving finish for daily use, and the detachable shoulder strap makes it an easy carry between meetings. Medium takes a small laptop or a large tablet plus the usual daily kit.

Saint Laurent Sac De Jour Medium in Black

Best Travel Totes, Weekend Bags and Winter Resort Bags

13. Chloé Paddington XL Leather Shoulder Bag in Crafty Brown

The Paddington XL is the substantial leather bag for someone who wants their travel-day handbag to look like part of the outfit. It has a zipped top, shoulder straps, pockets and buckle-fastening sides that adjust the width. The detachable padlock gives it that recognizable Chloé detail. It is a large handbag, not a claim that it meets every airline’s personal-item rules.

Chloé Paddington XL Leather Shoulder Bag in Crafty Brown

14. Longchamp Large Le Pliage Original Travel Bag in Mocha

For the practical travel option, I would look at this separately from the everyday Le Pliage. It has short carry handles, a zip top, an outer snap tab and a roomy nylon body that folds for storage. Mocha works with almost any coat or suitcase. The short handles make it more of a hand-carry travel bag than the long-handle shoulder tote above.

Longchamp Large Le Pliage Original Travel Bag in Mocha

15. Mansur Gavriel Everyday Soft Tote in Black and Flamma

A soft black tote earns its place on a travel day. Mansur Gavriel’s pebbled-leather Everyday Soft Tote has an open top and a removable zipped pouch, with the red Flamma interior adding a little color. It is the roomy day bag to carry with a cashmere sweater and relaxed trousers, not a substitute for a zipped suitcase when you need everything enclosed.

Mansur Gavriel Everyday Soft Tote in Black and Flamma

16. My Chloé Woody Basket for Winter Resort Trips

This is my actual Chloé bag in the photo. A winter resort trip does not always mean snow: if you are heading somewhere warm, a basket bag belongs in the edit too. I would use this for the resort part of the trip rather than as the bag protecting your valuables through the airport.

The linked Large Woody basket has the natural-fiber body and white Chloé logo ribbon look. My photo shows the bag I own. The shop link is for the Large version, so check its dimensions before you order. It is a basket with an open top, not a zipped travel tote.

My Chloé Woody Basket for Winter Resort Trips

A Small Shearling Bag for Winter

17. Jimmy Choo Drawstring Mini Shearling Top-Handle Bag

The little Jimmy Choo shearling bag is the fun winter pick. Teddy brown with chocolate leather trim feels right with a cream sweater or a simple dark coat. The gathered drawstring top and detachable shoulder strap give it a different feel from a structured clutch. It is a mini bag for a few essentials, not a replacement for your everyday tote.

Jimmy Choo Drawstring Mini Shearling Top-Handle Bag

BY FAR Bestsellers: Three More Bags to Compare

Three current entries on BY FAR’s own bestsellers list, added here as extras beside the 17-bag edit rather than changing it: a nubuck shoulder bag, a smooth nappa mini top-handle and a cheetah pony-hair statement bag.

BY FAR Kimberly Nubuck Shoulder Bag in Honey Mahogany

The Kimberly is a grain nubuck shoulder bag in honey mahogany, a warm mid-brown that works with cream knits, grey tailoring and denim. The curved shape sits close under the arm, and the suede-like texture is what makes a plain coat or a simple knit dress look finished.

BY FAR Mini 2.0 Leather Top-Handle Bag in Rosalie

The Mini 2.0 is a structured mini top-handle bag in smooth Rosalie nappa leather. The scaled-down shape is the one for dinners and days when a tote feels like too much; carried by its top handle, it reads polished next to a long coat or a slip dress.

BY FAR Koko Pony Hair Top-Handle Bag in Cheetah

The Koko is a top-handle bag in cheetah pony hair with nappa leather trim. Treat the print as the one pattern in the outfit: black tailoring, a cream knit or a plain slip dress underneath, and the bag does the work. A texture like this is the winter alternative to another plain black bag.

Playful Jelly Totes: Four Extra Options

For a lighter take on a structured top-handle bag, these jelly-style options are separate from the 17 main picks above. They are not Hermès bags; the appeal is the shape in a playful finish. Check the exact color, measurements and closure on each linked listing.

Brown elongated jelly tote by LAIQIAN

I like this for the JPG Hermès Birkin-style shape, and I am buying it in brown jelly. The long horizontal body and tall handles are the detail I would keep in mind when choosing an outfit around it.

Shop brown elongated jelly tote by laiqian

Pink jelly-style top-handle tote

Pink is the playful color option in this little jelly-bag edit. I would keep the rest of the outfit simple: denim, a white shirt or a neutral knit.

Shop pink jelly-style top-handle tote

Transparent black jelly tote

The transparent black finish makes this a different option from opaque brown. The tall handles and visible interior give it a casual feel; use a small pouch if you do not want everything inside on show.

Shop transparent black jelly tote

Horizontal matte black top-handle bag

This is the opaque black alternative, with a long horizontal shape and a matte finish. I would wear it with black trousers, denim or a simple coat when the transparent version is not the look I want.

Shop horizontal matte black top-handle bag

How to Choose the Bag You Actually Need

For work, start with your laptop and the things you carry every day. Check the bag’s measurements, opening and strap drop, and decide whether you need a full zip. Prada Bonnie is zipped; Khaite Lotus has an open-top design with a fastening.

For travel, separate the airport job from the resort job. The Longchamp travel bag covers practical carrying. My Chloé basket is for a warm-weather resort, even when the trip happens in winter. Always compare any travel bag with your airline’s current personal-item allowance.

For dinner, think about your phone, keys and wallet before the photo. Mini bags and clutches can look generous online. For suede, velvet and shearling, check the brand’s care instructions and keep them away from wet or snowy conditions.

If you are building a small bag wardrobe, I would start with an everyday tote, a hands-free crossbody and one dinner bag. Add a travel bag when you need it. The best bag is the one you will actually reach for.

A Leather Bag in Fig

If you want a bag with a little color, the Anine Bing Anine bag in smooth leather, Fig is a deep, neutral-friendly shade. Check the size and strap details on the listing.

More Bags and Outfit Ideas

For a canvas tote with charms, see my Boatkin alternatives. Planning a mountain trip? Start with what to wear in Aspen in fall or my Aspen winter guide.

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