One common theme among fall’s biggest handbag trends was the range of rich texture — a reflection of the season's best ready to wear, too. This included the use of soft velvet in seasonal jewel tones, thick metal chains that replaced traditional straps, and bursts of pink plumes that looked wild and elegant all at once.

And instead of sticking to an extreme like 2019's impossibly tiny Le Chiquito bag from Jacquemus, fall 2020 offered options both compact and practically oversized. There were hard shell, brightly colored clutches that provided a handheld approach to evening styling (but daytime, too, if preferred). And on flip side, many designers took the opportunity to not only create a bigger bag silhouette, but they went as far as making elevated weekender options. One can assume they're, quite literally, for those going places. Ahead, see what else the runway has in store for you this fall.

Fall 2020 Runway Handbag Trends: Linking Up

While it was hard to miss an appearance of Bottega Veneta’s The Chain Pouch on the streets outside of shows this season, inside, the heavy metal theme was taking on a whole new life. Chains specifically became the statement accent on bags across multiple runways including Boss who used links for a strap, Ulla Johnson who chose a daintier and longer version, and JW Anderson who interpreted the detail to be more about beauty than function.

Fall 2020 Runway Handbag Trends: The Proper Tote

Taking a minimal turn, one of the most popular styles of the season was a pared back purse with a simple top clasp. Christian Dior, Jil Sander, and Prada each favored this somewhat prim and proper style, offering the masses a bag that’s really not a trend so much as it is an updated classic.

Fall 2020 Runway Handbag Trends: Tickled Pink

Plush shearling and playful plumes were used on handbag styles from New York to Paris. And yet it’s hard to ignore a certain color preference that emerged: a burst of pink fluffiness. Claudia Li, Altuzarra, and Marques Almeida each presented a whimsy, playful, and optimistic option.

Fall 2020 Runway Handbag Trends: Geometry Class

In some ways the fall 2020 runways were a refresher course on right angles, parallel lines, and all things geometry. Some designers chose straight forward shapes, like Paco Rabanne’s circle bag, while labels like Coperni and Celine opted for triangle cut out, square designs, and trapezoidal clutches, respectively.

Fall 2020 Runway Handbag Trends: Hard Shells

Over the past few years, clutches haven’t gotten as much attention as hands free options like belt bags or pouches you can wear around your neck with a lanyard like strap (which will still be around for fall 2020). However, small hard shell options were prevalent on the runway too this season. Hand held gems were tiny, but hard to miss in the collections for Bottega Veneta, Oscar de la Renta, and Balenciaga.