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New York Fashion Week is full of surprises and this season, a heatwave wasn’t on anyone’s radar. As the weather continues to be unpredictable, one thing is for sure: the show(s) must go on! For those who float the scene between runway shows, dinners, parties, and events, choosing the right outfit is essential but choosing the right handbag is key. When one bag isn’t enough, there is often a need to add a second, one for fashion and one for function. With temperatures rising, space for a handheld fan is just as important as a midday snack en route.
From beauty must-haves to a potential change of footwear, Vogue editors are experts when it comes to finding the perfect bag for all. And as the calendar kicks off with Coach and ends with Luar, there is much to choose from. Below, here’s what 11 editors had to say about what they’ll be toting around while on the ground.
Madeline Harper Fass, senior shopping market editor
It’s going to be hot this New York fashion week so I will be carrying my summer tote to the shows.
Loewe
Paula’s Ibiza woven basket bag
Shop more raffia bags, below.
DeMellier
Santorini raffia basket bag
Tory Burch
Ella straw basket tote
Proenza Schouler
ruched raffia tote bag
Eliseé Browchuk, marketing and events manager, Vogue 100
I’m feeling red hot this fashion week, and the weather agrees! Whether I’m running to a presentation uptown or a fashion week party downtown, I love the versatility of this patent-leather Jacquemus bag. The updated silver hardware and texture give the iconic Chiquito-style bag a whole new look. Adding a pop of color never felt so easy!
Jacquemus
Chiquito medium patent-leather handbag
Shop more statement red bags, below.
Staud
Alec leather shoulder bag
Mango
short-handle shoulder bag
Ferragamo
Wanda East-West top handle bag
Cassandra Pintro, associate production manager
Since I’ve committed to no shopping for a year, my options are strictly based on whatever is already available in my closet. I’ve been leaning into uniform dressing and the idea of a signature look. That being said, classics are essential to me. I will be relying heavily on my Telfar Circle bag to get me from day to night and whenever I have the opportunity to go for my nude Dior Saddle bag, I take it.
Shop more curvaceous bags, below.
Jil Sander
embellished leather clutch bag
The Row
Half Moon leather shoulder bag
Aesther Ekme
Demi Lune leather shoulder bag
Laia Garcia-Furtado, senior fashion news editor
I have this koo-koo Tory Burch Lee Radziwill bag with a leather spiral detail that reminds me of an old telephone cord or a spiral-bound notebook. It’s really soft and I’m determined to get it really beaten up—I think it’ll be so much cooler then! This summer, I took it to the beach and stuffed it with a book, my daughter’s full diaper-changing suite, multiple sunscreens, and various toys; so I’m sure it can handle my fashion week essentials (a notebook, snacks, water, my phone, a portable charger and even my computer, in a pinch).
Tory Burch
Lee Radziwill whipstitch double bag
Shop similar bags, below.
Staud
Valerie suede handbag
JW Anderson
Bumper Moon shoulder bag
Mansur Gavriel
Mini Lady soft leather satchel
Chloé Edith leather satchel
Julie Tong, shopping director
My go-to bag during NYFW is one that can stow all of my essentials while keeping me hands-free as I jet around town to make the latest shows. This crossbody from The Row is not only a lifesaver, but a timeless option.
The Row
Sofia 8.75 shoulder bag
Shop more crossbody bags, below.
Neous
Phoenix leather shoulder bag
DeMellier
New York crossbody bag
The Row
slouchy banana bag
Savette
The Tondo 22 saddle crossbody bag
Kiana Murden, beauty shopping writer
A roomy tote is a fashion week must for me. I love that Asker Eskme’s version is spacious enough for a laptop and all my essentials. The versatile camel hue and structural design are added bonuses.
Aesther Ekme
Demi Lune tote bag
Shop more timeless totes, below.
Aesther Ekme
Sac bucket bag
Everlane
The Cactus Leather Hobo
Aesther Ekme
Sac smooth-leather tote bag
DeMellier
Vancouver grained-leather tote bag
Alexis Bennett, senior shopping writer
Having a roomy bag that can hold my laptop as I run around from show to show is an essential. This one is one of my faves thanks to the sculptural silhouette that looks great with nearly everything in my closet.
Khaite
Sara leather tote bag
Shop more work bags, below.
A.P.C.
Maiko grained-leather tote bag
Little Liffner
Sprout tote bag
Loewe
Puzzle shiny leather tote
Lilah Ramzi, senior shopping editor and features editor
I’ve often waxed poetic about Mark Cross bags on this website. My go-to is the Grace Box bag (named after Grace Kelly, my ultimate muse); however, Fashion Week requires a bigger bag to store phone chargers, notebooks, and more things I don’t usually tote around. Enter the Madeline bag, an equally elegant satchel that has all the grace of the Grace bag but comes with a bit more real estate.
Mark Cross Madeline Lady top-handle bag
Shop more ladylike bags, below.
Bottega Veneta
small Andiamo top handle bag
Puppets and Puppets
small rose top-handle bag
JW Anderson
small chain lid top handle bag
Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at large
I will be focused on solving a mystery for the entirety of NYFW, proud-carrying Luar’s Brooke Tote and calling through the streets ‘Whooooo sent me this gorgeous bag?! Was it for my birthday?!’ It arrived with no note and I can’t wait to say thank you to whoever gifted me a fully functional piece of fashion that fits my laptop for backstage beauty news we can all use.
Shop more chocolate brown bags, below.
Neous
Phoenix baguette bag
Banana Republic
Ravello suede shoulder bag
J.Crew
Berkeley bucket bag
Bottega Veneta
Drop suede and leather shoulder bag
Madeleine Schulz, Vogue Business reporter
Depending on the day, I’ll either carry a small-but-roomy shoulder bag, or a larger bag for when I need my laptop between shows (which, realistically, is more often than not). On the smaller side, I’ll have my Published By black leather bag — the chrome detailing and chain makes it a little more fun, and it fits way more than you’d expect. Otherwise, it’ll be my vintage Bottega intrecciato handle bag, which comes to the office with me most days. It (almost) fits my laptop perfectly.
Published By
Ruby’s club bag
Shop more little black shoulder bags, below.
Gucci
Horsebit chain small shoulder bag
8 Other Reasons
crescent bag
Laird Borrelli-Persson, senior archive editor
In memory of Jane Birkin—who was the queen of basket bags long before she inspired a namesake Hermès bag—my plan is to carry a woven straw bag by Gigi Burris. It looks a bit like a 1940s hat turned upside down and has a black grosgrain band, and is charming.
Shop more woven bags, below.
Eilaf
Dom raffia and leather-trim basket bag
Muuñ
Abby striped woven basket bag
Dragon Diffusion
Triple Jump large woven-leather basket bag
Laura Jackson, shopping writer
The more mini, the merrier! While it may not be the most practical for NYFW, The Row’s ‘90s nubuck tote in the color caramel is (in my opinion) the chicest carryall of all. You can catch me sporting mine from day-to-night with any and everything, from pairs of baggy jeans, knit maxi dresses, tailored trousers, the list goes on.
The Row
‘90s small nubuck tote
Shop more minimalist brown bags, below.
Staud
Vivi suede shoulder bag
Mansur Gavriel
small soft Candy shoulder bag
Saint Laurent
Jamie 4.3 bag