There will always be a place for the goes-with-everything black handbag, but if the fall/winter 2025 runways proved anything, it’s that there’s a new color palette taking over. Shades of mocha mousse, Pantone’s color of the year, appeared in every iteration this season—including glossy leather jackets and office-ready blazers and trousers. And the bags? Of course they were included too.

From the chic simplicity of a structured shoulder bag from The Row to the rugged appeal of a Ralph Lauren suede hobo, the new “it” handbags have declared themselves caramel, espresso, and everything in between.

Richer and less austere than their all-black counterparts, brown hued bags have the benefit of tonal adaptability (pairing with all kinds of complementary hues) and timeless appeal—though they feel even more seasonally appropriate in fall, which calls for warm, earthy color palettes. Gucci and Chloé presented dark brown hues against electric purples, while Prada set softer hues alongside blush pink. Alternatively, Hermés and Michael Kors used the new staple color to ground entire tonal looks, solidifying brown as a head-to-toe staple that can hold its own against any all-black ensemble.

With the versatility of the brown bag on full display, our theory is confirmed that the brown bag can be just as much of a closet staple as its predecessor: the beloved black bag. Consider this your cue to invest in a shade of brown that will elevate, ground, and transform your fall wardrobe into something effortlessly chic.

Shop an edit of our favorite brown handbags for fall, below.