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By Alissa Thomas

Hello Brown Bag, My Old Friend. It’s Good To See You Once Again…

A tote-in-tan is completely covetable for the new season. Welcome to the new-era of the brown bag

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 05: Leonie Hanne is seen wearing laced boots with snake print, brown coat, orange bag, dress outside Tods lunch during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020 on March 05, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

Claiming back the ‘It-bag’ market share that’s been long monopolised by its black leather counterpart, brown bag stocks are on the up. Seen as somewhat of a casual cousin, the “brown bag” is an accessory so staple that it hardly deserves to be cast as a trend. However, not since Chloé gave us the Paddington in the early 2000s has a tote-in-tan been so covetable. Its new allure can be attributed to a return to warm textures and equine notes this winter. Riding boots, welcoming denims, plush shearlings and creamy knits are sensible partners for carry-all’s in 50 shades of brown.

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 04: Jeanne Damas wears a dark blue lace wool jacket, blue jeans, an orange bag, outside Stella McCartney, during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020, on March 04, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 04: A guest wears a black Valentino scarf, a khaki coat, a brown Valentino belt-bag, outside Nobi Talai, during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020, on March 04, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 02: Chloe Harrouche wears a headband, a black jacket, a brown leather bag, shorts, black shoes, earrings, sunglasses, outside Altuzarra, during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020, on March 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 27: Madelynn Furlong is seen wearing beige suit, mini Boyy bag outside Rochas during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020 on February 27, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Street Style at Melbourne Fashion Festival on March 6, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/WireImage)

That’s not to say the 2019 brown bag is not directional, its incarnation can still pack a high-fashion punch. Cult accessories label BY FAR has ranged a selection this season, with the ‘Annie’ croc hard-case bringing particular dapper elegance. Ferragamo’s teeny tiny palm-sized belt bag is as adorable as it is handy and ACNE’s soft-leather cross-body is, alone, a case for brown-bag utility. Then, in an homage to the classic hardware medicine-clasp leathers of the early fifties, Tory Burch’s ‘Lee Radziwill’ reminds us that a brown bag is also steeped in fashion dynasty.

There’s a severity removed with the closing-in of this revived neutral. Less graphic than a black or white or primary hue, it’s got a sensitive sensibility that ensures its style-adoption is a worthy investment.

SHOP NOW

Zimmermann ‘cigarette’ bag, $495, SHOP NOW
Acne Studios mini bag, $590, SHOP similar
Tory Burch ‘Lee Radizwill’ satchel, $1180, SHOP NOW
BY FAR ‘annie’ bag, $988, SHOP NOW
Salvatore Ferragamo belt bag, $775, SHOP NOW

THIS ARTICLE APPEARED ORIGINALLY IN THE MARCH 2019 EDITION OF GRAZIA MAGAZINE AUSTRALIA.

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