Photos: The Bag Guide

The highly anticipated transition from summer to fall heralds the arrival of crisp weather, crunchy leaves underfoot, and shopping for the new season. On the fashion front, it s almost time to break out the brand-new sweaters, trench coats, and boots you ve squirreled away during the last heat wave s dog days. But above all, it s the season to buy a new bag, and the options this autumn are endless. We ve raked through what s out there and devised a guide that highlights the six most important trends on tap. Fur is updated with color-blocking; evening clutches have heavier, chunkier embellishments, while work carryalls are streamlined. Totes are supersized, carrying you through from morning to weekend; animal print is back, but in new shapes and silhouettes; and mixed textures are the rage in a rich palette of burgundy and forest green. Clearly, the It bag is long-gone, and these chic and shoppable alternatives have arrived in its place; see the slideshow below for our favorites.