The biggest handbag trends for fall

As someone immersed in fashion, you might be surprised to know I don’t indulge in handbags. I have exactly four purses in rotation, one of which I’ve run right into the ground.

As my everyday bag starts to deteriorate, I need to start contemplating my next handbag purchase. Plus, what better time to add something new to my tiny collection then the beginning of a new season?

Fortunately for me, Canada’s reigning queen of handbags, designer Jessica Jensen, agreed to school me on the biggest handbag trends of the season.

“This fall, designers are taking one of two stances,” says the Ontario-born accessories designer. “Either they’re powerfully screaming and making outrageous statements, or they’re confidently fine-tuning their own brand character, equally expressing their individualized opinion on what style means to them.”

When it comes to her own arm candy empire, Jensen decided to go with the latter.

“I’ve taken a pared-down approach to design and I’m focusing on simple shapes and well-crafted timeless product more than ever before,” she says.

But don’t misconstrue her affinity for classics. Timeless doesn’t equate to boring, and Jensen makes it a point to refresh her designs every season with new colours, textures and shapes.

Her fall 2014 offerings, full of “seasonal hues, such as dark taupe, burgundy and moss can be found throughout the collection, with bold and emotional pops of colour, such as electric hits of acid yellow.”

Then comes the holiday season which leads us instinctually into metallics and exotic animals prints.

“Croc, ostrich, python and stingray play an important role in our fall collection,” she explains.

And while shape, colour and pattern play integral roles in what handbag we choose, size does matter, too.

“During this time of year, we tend to layer more and even carry more,” she says. “Our go-to bags get bigger and need to be more versatile, both in function and in weather resistance. When there’s even a slight chance of rain, I don’t leave the house unless I’m carrying a patent or saffiano leather handbags.

So what’s a handbag-less girl to do this season when she’s inundated with all of these options?

“If you didn’t pick one up by late summer, every girl needs a trapezoid tote this fall,” says Jensen of her fall it-bag pick. “Our Agency Satchel is a good example of this. It’s a medium-sized, structured bag, with a distinct silhouette that converts into a cross-body for hands-free carrying.“

Despite her obvious passion for handbag design, we had to ask: shoes or purses? Women seem to have a perennial weakness for both.

“Bags! Why else would I be in the business? Plus they always fit and always make you feel good.”

Two very valid points Ms. Jensen.