We are halfway through the international shows, where editors and show-goers alike put their best fashion foot forward. And, with New York and London already under our sartorial belt (and Milan and Paris still on the horizon), we have noticed a trend already making waves.

We are talking, of course, about the ‘it’ bag, but not as you have previously known it. An ‘it’ bag used to exclusively mean a designer bag that was priced in the thousands: a black quilted Chanel ‘2.55’, say, or a Fendi encrusted ‘Baguette’ bag. Maybe a Louis Vuitton ‘Petite Malle’. 

However, since the beginning of the year there has been a big bag shift away from those overtly designer bags with industry insiders opting for cult status bags instead - regardless of the price tag attached to it. Cult Gaia, Staud, Rejina Pyo these are the names banded around in the conversation now. 

Get ahead of the fashion curve (and join in the Instagram take over) now. 

A brown leather croc effect bag in a unique shape was undoubtedly one of the most snapped bags this fashion week. First seen at the a/w 2018 catwalk in February there was a flurry of discussion immediately after as to who was going to cop the bag first. Rejina Pyo continues to design clothes and accessories that women want to wear day in day out. 

Olivia brown bag, £495, rejinapyo.com

Beaded bags have been doing the rounds for quite some time, but none have been as substantial in their street style status as this Shrimps beaded bag. Seen on street style heavy hitters Camille Charrière, Lucy Williams, Eva Chen and Emili Sindlev, the Shrimps Antonia bag is not classically ‘it’ but its versatility to transform both day and evening outfits will make for a solid (and cool) investment. 

Antonia bag, £450, shrimps.co.uk 

Chloé have been knocking out ‘it’ bags for decades. Remember the ‘Paddington’, with a lock so heavy it felt like you were gaining forearm muscle with every life? Then there was the hugely popular ‘Nile’ bags with the gold hand that acted as a bracelet (allowing the wearer to easy carry both bag and champagne at the same time). Under the direction of new creative head, Natasha Ramsy-Levy, Chloé has reimagined a saddle bag shape for the modern woman. Guaranteed to make you look polished and put together even on the worst of wardrobe days. 

Tess leather shoulder bag, £1,250 Chloé at net-a-porter.com

Cult Gaia have been ruling the summer this year and last with their bamboo ‘Ark’ bag. In a step away from the shape and fabric that founded the brand’s fame, their next offering is just as brilliant. Opting for another unique fabrication and design, the Cult Gaia ‘Angelou’ tassled bag is sure to be the autumn/ winter hit to their spring / summer designs. Wear yours with jeans and a sweatshirt or with your party LBD. 

Angelou tassled bag, £350, Cult Gaia at net-a-porter.com

When Dior re-released their most iconic bag from the nineties, the Saddle bag, thousands of women dug back into their closet to find their ‘it’ bag from it’s first imagining. In a guerrilla type campaign, Dior dropped the Saddle bag on Instagram via hundreds of fashion influencers. The bag maintains its nineties feel with its tucked-under-the-shoulder shape but this time takes on some of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s designs. If that hasn’t sold you on the investment, more Dior Saddle bags were spotted at fashion week than hot dinners. 

Mini Saddle bag in blue canvas, £1,700, dior.com

Initially garnering fame for their chic belt bags, Chylak has infiltrated the ‘it’ bag club at break neck speed. Maintaining their brand’s ethos of providing beautiful, fashionable bags that provide functionality, the Polish brand is moving from strength to strength. British model, Edie Campell, has been sporting every option going. 

Saddle bag in black patent leather, £275, chylak.com

Who said ‘it’ bags had to be exclusively black? Not us. Boyy have become one of those ‘sweet spot’ bag brands that cater to your designer needs without totally blowing your budget. This exclusively colour way for Browns is easier to wear than you think acting as a lady-like top handle bag and a chic cross body for life on the run. Team it with a trouser suit for a fun take on workwear. 

Bobby multicoloured bag, £560, BOYY at brownsfashion.com

Meaning ‘slow dance’, Danse Lente should really mean ‘quick buy’. With it’s geometric shapes and cool colour ways it’s easy to see why the London based accessories brand has had such street style success. Focussing on modern sculpture their crossbody bags and hand held pieces are garnering fans across every fashion city. Coming in at a super affordable price point, it’s a no brainer: join the slow dance now. 

Contrast circle shoulder bag, £353, Danse Lente at farfetch.com

You will already know Acne Studios for their apparel: leather jackets, bomber jackets, that wool scarf. Their accessories lines have been getting stronger and stronger and the fashion pack have taken notice. With their minimal Scandi design and luxe looking leathers it’s not surprise that they are holding ‘it’ status across their accessories and ready to wear. For those wanting to upgrade their everyday bag, look no further. 

Musubi mini leather bucket bag, £850, Acne Studio at matchesfashion.com 

Images: Getty