12 Purse Styles That Dominate New York Street Style

New York, often hailed as the pinnacle of global style (and yes, we might be a bit partial), truly lives up to its reputation. While fashion's pulse is certainly dictated by designers and what they send down the runway, it's the city's vibrant inhabitants who truly steer the wheel of trends. At the heart of fashion, music, arts, and a buzzing culinary scene, New York stands as the epicenter of creativity. Okay sorry, that was our brief ode to the Big Apple, but let's dive into the crux of the matter. When dissecting trends, it's crucial to not only look to the runways but also to cast an eye on the streets, observing the sartorial choices of the everyday trendsetters. 

Here, we're zeroing in on the street style highlights from New York Fashion Week and beyond, with a special focus on the arm candy of choice among the city's style mavens: handbags.

Each season, these handy accessories become a canvas for new, innovative designs, offering a glimpse into the boundless creativity that fashion holds. As we looked through the street style snaps, we noticed that this season was particularly notable for its breath of fresh air in bag designs, showcasing everything from luxe, logo-free totes, and sleek structured styles to new elongated silhouettes and the welcomed resurgence of the hobo bag. We've carefully selected 12 standout handbag styles that dominated the streets and graced the arms of New York's most fashion-forward individuals.

Chain Reaction

Oversized, chunky chains have taken center stage, of course we saw the classic edgy metal links —a style we've come to expect and admire. However, this season introduced an intriguing twist on the conventional chain narrative. Innovations in materials, notably the use of acrylic, have infused these statement pieces with an entirely new and vibrant energy, offering a refreshing departure from the classic metal chains and reshaping our perception of this bold accessory.

Hobo Chic

Big bags are back, baby, and with them, the hobo style is enjoying quite the renaissance. Brands such as Bottega Veneta, Loewe, and Gucci have taken this boho-chic staple of the early 2000s and transformed it into a sleek, chic, and sophisticated accessory for the modern wardrobe.

Lady Like

Luxe ladylike top-handle bags were spotted on the crook of every girl's arm. This trend aligns seamlessly with the quiet luxury movement, characterized by subtle branding and the use of premium materials, making it a standout choice for those who appreciate understated elegance.

Long and Lean

In this season's trend lineup, the spotlight was on shape—ranging from the relaxed resurgence of the slouchy hobo, to structured styles, and the timeless classic tote. Yet, it was the debut of a new silhouette that truly caught our attention. Both shoulder and top handle bags have undergone a transformation, emerging with sleek, elongated lines that offer a fresh take on their traditional forms.

Metallic Minis

Though compact in size, these megawatt mini bags pack a powerful punch. From shimmering silver to bold gold, courtesy of brands like Bottega Veneta, Chanel, and Ferragamo, these metallic marvels brought an electrifying burst of high shine to this season’s fashion lineup.

Quiet Luxe Tote

The quiet luxury craze shows no signs of waning, as the allure of understated elegance continues to reign supreme in the fashion world.  This season, we witnessed an array of logo-free tote bags meticulously crafted from luxurious leather and sumptuous suede.

Queen of Hearts

As per usual, Valentine's Day landed smack in the middle of NYFW.  True to New York style, a touch of kitsch weaves through the week's looks, tipping a hat to the holiday. This season, heart-shaped bags popped up everywhere, like Cupid had been let loose with a fashion-forward arrow. A fan favorite was this red one from Alaïa, stealing hearts and turning heads across the city.

Sealed With a Clasp

These charming bags, reminiscent of vintage coin purses, have become some of our favorite pieces this season. While they exude an evening elegance, their true allure lies in their surprising versatility, seamlessly transitioning to become a stylish daytime accessory as well.

Smart-n-Sleek

Sleek, structured bags crafted in high shine patent leather took the season by storm, becoming a must have accessory. Their glossy finish, coupled with precise, clean lines, injects a distinctly cool vibe into any ensemble. Consider it an instant conversation starter to any outfit.

That’s Clutch

We love it when fashion also serves a function. That’s the vibe these innovative bags are giving off. Let's be real: traditional clutches can be a bit of a hassle—always slipping out of your grip and hardly ever practical. This season, though, we've been introduced to a game-changer: clutches designed for everyday life. They come equipped with a cleverly integrated handle, allowing you to stay hands-free while keeping your essentials stylishly in tow. It's the kind of smart design we've been waiting for.

Where Fashion Meets Function

New Yorkers have an unwavering appreciation for practicality, especially for the girls on the go. For the hustle and bustle one bag immediately stands out and that's the classic Boat and Tote. Thanks to the Ironic Boat and Tote trend, this bag is now as fashionable as it is functional.

You've Got (Chain)Mail

The street-style stars of New York showcased the versatility of the chainmail bag. We all know and love the iconic Rabanne chainmail, often pigeonholed as an evening accessory. Well, the girls will beg to differ, they gave us all the inspo on how to wear this high shine accessory with everyday attire. 

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