Autumn asks more of a bag. The mornings are darker, the weather turns, and you carry more than you did in summer. A folding umbrella. Gloves. A scarf you took off on the train. The right bag takes all of it in its stride.
This is where leather earns its place. A good leather bag is built for the season. Light rain will not ruin it. Wipe it dry when you get in and the leather carries on, softening and improving with age.
Here are the bags we would pick for autumn, from roomy carry-everything shapes to smaller styles for lighter days.
Does leather hold up in the rain?
Yes, within reason. Our leather bags are made from Italian pebble grain leather, and the grain helps the surface shrug off a shower. You should not leave any leather bag soaking, but a walk from the car to the door in the rain will not harm it. Pat it dry with a soft cloth and let it dry naturally, away from direct heat. Over a few autumns, a leather bag looks better for the wear, not worse.
The most weatherproof option we make is patent. Which brings us to the Esme.
The Esme Crinkle Patent Bag: the rain-ready one
If autumn where you live means real rain, the Esme Crinkle Patent Bag is the one. The crinkle patent finish wipes clean in seconds and takes weather in a way matte leather does not. The shape is bold and structured, with a belt-buckle fastening and gold hardware. Inside there is room for an iPad, a slim folding umbrella, and the things you carry day to day. It moves from the office to dinner without a second thought.
The Rosie Leather Bag: room for the season
The Rosie Leather Bag is a softly curved shoulder bag with a generous interior. It holds a tablet alongside your purse, phone and keys, with space left for a folding umbrella and a pair of gloves. Wear it over the shoulder or across the body. Made in Italy with warm gold-tone hardware, it suits work, travel and weekends in equal measure. In burgundy it is a good way to bring autumn colour into your bags without straying far from a neutral.
The Maisie Maxi Leather Bag: the four-way workhorse
The Maisie Maxi Leather Bag is the largest in the Maisie family and the most practical for a full autumn day. It is made in Italy from pebble grain leather and can be worn four ways: over the shoulder, across the body, as a clutch, or on the gold chain. The size means an umbrella and a paperback go in without a fuss. If you want one bag to carry from Monday to the weekend, this is it.
The Harriet Leather Bag: for work and laptops
The Harriet Leather Bag is a larger, slouchy shoulder bag that fits a small laptop or iPad. It is the one for commuting days, when the bag has to hold work as well as an umbrella and the odds and ends autumn adds. The soft shape keeps it looking easy rather than formal, even when it is full.
The Abi Leather Bag: smart and structured
The Abi Leather Bag sits between the roomy styles and the smaller ones. It has a clean, structured shape and a gold twist-lock, and holds a purse, phone, keys, sunglasses and a compact umbrella with room to spare. It comes in autumn shades like chocolate, mink and burgundy, and works for day and evening alike.
The Lucy Leather Bag: the small one for lighter days
Not every autumn day calls for a big bag. The Lucy Leather Bag has a crescent shape that sits neatly under the arm, with just enough space for your phone, cardholder and keys. It is the pick for evenings out and days when you are travelling light. It will not hold an umbrella, so save it for the dry spells and the nights when you want your hands free.
What to carry in an autumn bag
The season adds a few things to the list. A compact folding umbrella is worth its space. So are gloves, a lip balm, and a spare pair of socks if you cycle or walk to work. If you carry an umbrella, choose one of the roomier bags above, the Rosie, Maisie Maxi, Harriet or Esme, so the wet folds away inside rather than dripping in your hand.
Find your autumn bag
A good autumn bag is one you can carry in any weather and still like at the end of the day. Ours are made to do exactly that. Find yours in the shades that suit the season.
