78zin

New season, new bags: trending styles for A/W 2023

As we’re squeezing out the last drops of summer, our thoughts begin to turn ever so slightly to the crisp beginnings of the new season. Remember that fresh ‘back to school’ feeling? Now it’s more like a ‘back to life’ vibe as we emerge from a summer of fun and start planning our new autumn/winter wardrobe - and the accessories to go with it.

And when it comes to those accessories, we are focusing on the power of a great handbag at this time of year. Quilted bags, in particular, bring rich texture and playful patterns that add personality and charm to any outfit. ‘A good bag can lift even the most basic of outfits to a new level and give it a pulled-together look that’s more polished than summer’s relaxed feel,’ says our Fashion Stylist, Lynda Bell. ‘And bags are the one thing we’re guaranteed to wear every day, so it’s worth putting some thought into.’

We asked Lynda to take us through the trending bags for autumn/winter 2023 and how the 78zin Fashion Team has been inspired by them in creating our own collection. It’s time to work out your Simens from your Bettys and get new-season ready.

The sling bag

A more utilitarian twist on a cross body bag, this season’s belt bag or sling shape is a key silhouette. ‘We love the softer, more rounded shape we’ve given our Betty bag, which now comes in two pastel shades and a classic ecru tone,’ says Lynda. ‘It's great because you can style it as a hands-free off-duty look, varying between wearing it to the side on your hips, round the front or even across your back.’

The camera bag

The Simen bag shape is one of 78zin’s most popular types of bags. The squarer of our crossbody bags, it has a camera bag feel, and for autumn 2023 it has had a grown-up make-over. ‘The very on-trend metallic shade of soft gold looks great when styled with bold colour pops,’ says Lynda. ‘I like gold with magenta, green and orange, and silver looks sleek with denim, navy, pale blue and lilac tones. Check out our silver Naha bag.’

Our other updated Simen comes in super-sophisticated black faux croc for the new season. ‘Allow the texture to speak for itself and pair with simple knits, plain satin shirts or our chunky cord trousers,’ recommends Lynda.

The weekend bag

Have a getaway coming up? Short breaks and staycation trips continue to be popular, and for a joyful, eye-catching weekend bag, look no further than our new lipstick-pink Olivia Weekender. ‘This one has serious big-bag energy.’ says Lynda. ‘Spacious enough for a change of clothes, pair of shoes and your toiletries, we love our punchy pink travel bag (well it is the top trending colour of 2023). And those front zip pockets aren’t just for style points – pop your travel essentials, card holder or mobile phone in them for easy access.’

The neutral bag

A major trend on the AW23 catwalks was a clean, minimalist look, but if you’re happier with bright prints and maximalist details, you can always balance the tone via your accessories. ‘A cream bag - or ecru as the fash pack refer to it - gives that sartorial punch in an understated way that nods to quiet luxury,’ says Lynda. ‘Pair with our matching ecru ankle boots to make your neutral accent more intentional.’

The extras

As well as the bag itself, you’ll also want to consider what you’ll be carrying inside it from day to day. We have an absolute feast of small accessories, including purses, pouches and card holders, to keep your black bags organised. ‘Embrace colour and print here,’ recommends Lynda. ‘Not only is it a mood boost on a cloudy day, but it helps you find what you’re looking for inside your bag much quicker.’

Aside from adding an easy update to your existing bag, card holders and pouches make travelling much more stress-free. ‘The Design Team has made sure our purses and card holders are made neat enough to fit inside all our bag ranges - even our smallest cross body bags,’ says Lynda.

And how to wear it...

For those in the know, it’s not always about the style of bag as it is the way you wear it. ‘The AW23 catwalks saw bags being worn shorter on the body as well as being carried in arms and models holding the straps in their hands,’ notes Lynda. ‘All of our 78zin bag straps can be adjusted to make them longer or shorter in length, which means you can you can completely change how your bag sits depending on your mood, event or outfit.’

‼«³Ü°ù Charlee bag, shown here, is a stylish and practical day bag with a handy pocket placed at the back for a safe place to store your mobile or keys. It has an adjustable strap and an extra zipped pocket at the front, designed carefully to add extra storage without creating bulk to keep the line of the bag nice and compact.’

You might also like:

How to wear a cross body bag

Your bag is empty