Nobody ever said that summer wasn’t a lot of fun.  Sun, sea, sangria, and a really good tan.  Nice, right?  But summer is also a time of casual, toss-it-on fashion that, while comfortable, isn’t going to turn any heads.  That is, unless you’re Paris Hilton and wearing a dress hemmed all the way up to your you-know-what.

That’s why we fashion addicts love fall.  When autumn comes, it’s time to put away the simple handbags of summer and break out the truly fashion-forward bags of fall. Because when the weather cools down and the days get shorter, nothing is more cheering than a gorgeous, larger-than-life handbag. In fall, you really get to go all out.

Every season, we watch the runways and flip through the fashion mags to find out what handbag trends will be big this year.  And though most of us can’t afford to buy a new designer bag every season, we’ve got to get at least one a year.  And the best time to buy a new designer bag is the fall. Because fall is the season for new, up-and-coming trends, it’s the best time to invest in a designer bag that will last for years.

Fall 2008’s Designer Handbag Trends

Tapestry Bags.  One of the biggest trends we’re seeing for autumn 2008 is “out in the country” styling. Fitting into this trend of natural fabrics and quaint country patterns is the tapestry bag.  And as far as tapestry bags go, Gucci appears to have designed the winning tapestry bag of the season with its Hysteria Top-Handle Tapestry Bag.  With a red tapestry design and black leather trim, this statement bag is simple, feminine, and right on trend for Fall 2008.

Embellished Bags. Another trend we saw in spring that is continuing into Fall/Winter 2008 is the embellished bag.  Fall’s embellished bags come in soft, natural colors with tough-but-feminine detailing—a very interesting combo.  One of the show-stealing bags of the season is the Celine “Watch me Mirror” Shoulder Bag.  With a coquettish but understated charm, this bag in soft, fawn-colored leather is the perfect back to take from autumn to winter.

Gucci has another winner this season with their own version of the embellished bag. The Babouska Medium Tote is tough but sweet, with fringed leather detailing (another big trend this season) and fun, punky studs. Made in black python leather with black suede trim, it’s cocky and confident and lot of fun for fall.

Ruffled Bags. One of the most intriguing things about the runways this year is the wonderful combination of ultra-feminine detailing and sleek masculine styling. Sleek ruffles are showing up on everywhere on the runways for fall/winter 2008, and handbags are no exception.  One of the most remarkable bags this fall is the head-turning Yves Saint Laurent St. Tropez Ruffle Bag.  Elegantly feminine, this bag combines clean, simple lines with eye-catching leather ruffles in soft, subtle layers.

Another sleekly ruffled designer bag perfect for fall fashion is the Miu Miu Leaf Leather Bag.  This handbag combines trendy country styling with subtlety feminine ruffles in a way that really catches the eye.  With a ruffled, natural leaf effect layered across the surface of this soft leather bag, the Leaf Bag is both perfectly feminine and gorgeously natural.