I’ve been meaning to write this piece for quite some time. Each week, more and more of you search for handbag or work tote on the site, and recently I’ve come across a few styles I truly adore, so it felt like the perfect moment to share them with you :).
Here, you’ll find my take on the handbag trends and silhouettes I find especially chic and timeless for the season ahead. Spoiler: think suede and braided leather, a detail I’ve already embraced at my feet with these ballet flats (and a J.Crew alternative) I’ve been wearing on repeat.
As always, for each trend I’ve curated a small selection of pieces that have genuinely caught my eye, styles I’d recommend for la rentrée and for autumn, which always seems to arrive sooner than we expect. My focus this time is on work totes: those endlessly practical yet impeccably chic bags that carry all your daily essentials to the office without ever compromising on style. They also happen to be my personal favourites at the moment. I hope you enjoy this edit.
So, which tote styles feel especially chic for la rentrée? A spacious tote is often an investment, and my advice is to begin by looking closely at the bags you reach for most. Consider the colours, shapes, and proportions you gravitate toward: do you prefer smaller or larger totes, those longer in length or wider in width? What do you truly need to carry with you each day? And which tones dominate your wardrobe? Asking yourself these questions will help ensure that your purchase is one you’ll love and use for years to come. Personally, I’ve never regretted investing in a piece I find myself reaching for season after season, year after year.
Independent and unsponsored, this article is written with curiosity and discernment. Some links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, always at no cost to you.
1. Suede, Season After Season
When it comes to trends I believe are here to stay, I’d start with suede leather totes. You might choose one in a warm camel tone, effortlessly chic and unmistakably autumnal (like the beautiful Mega Sprout tote from Liffner), or in a deep navy suede (I have a particular fondness for this Tote du Jour from Manu Atelier), a shade I suspect will become the new burgundy in seasons to come. Suede, of course, is best reserved for dry days, ideally worn with a suede blazer, a plaid wool jacket, or any other mid-season outerwear. These colours are timeless, pairing beautifully with light blue, navy, red, beige, cream, white, camel, olive green, and burgundy—in short, all the tones you’ve likely grown accustomed to seeing here on Léonce Chenal :).
2. Leather, Always and Forever
If suede feels a little too risky, you can never go wrong with the classic leather tote in timeless shades like black, the ultimate wardrobe staple and a safe choice (I adore the ultra-chic belted leather tote from Totême, or this more affordable similar style from J.Crew). Or, you might opt for a lighter hue: beige, cream, chalk, or even ivory. These shades pair effortlessly with virtually any colour in your wardrobe, and look especially elegant when they’re rendered in a tote with clean, minimal lines, like the N/S Park from The Row. Light neutrals have also been a recurring theme in the autumn/winter collections of the great couture Maisons, most recently at Céline and Max Mara. It’s a trend I’ve personally embraced with the oversized Linea bag in stone, which I know I’ll be carrying well into winter, perhaps with a long ivory wool coat.
3. The Timeless Weave
Finally, if you want to keep it classic but with ce petit supplément d’âme (that little something extra), a subtle twist, I recommend braided leather. It’s a beautiful texture that has stood the test of time and, in my view, has become truly timeless. I love this material for its suppleness, which lends itself to less structured, more slouchy silhouettes, often generously sized (like this stunning brown marl nappa leather woven maxi tote from Massimo Dutti), perfect for carrying a few more essentials ;). For this autumn, I’d opt for braided leather in black, brown (such as this large braided nappa tote), or burgundy. These tones will complement all your autumn looks and will remain your trusted companion right through to the depths of winter.
