As we noted during our look at all the saddle bags suddenly on the market for Fall 2015, the 70s trend that popped up all over the runways has indeed translated to retail. That has implications beyond just bag shape, though; it also means that the color palette for the season skews decidedly retro, most notably in the resurgence of tan leather and suede bags.
Black is always the easiest color to find a bag in, and although tan and brown are also standard neutrals, they had largely fallen out of favor in high fashion over the past few seasons and it took the 70s revival to bring them back around. Now that pre-fall and fall bags are popping up on shopping sites left and right, the magnitude of the trend is clear. Brands are producing both old favorites and new releases in whiskey-hued leather, so if you’re sick of black and grey, now’s your time.
To add a retro note to your fall wardrobe, check out 20 notable tan bags below, starting below $100.
Botkier Leroy Mini Bag
$198 via Shopbop
Chloé Drew Crossbody Bag
$1,650 via Net-a-Porter
Givenchy Antigona Bag
$4,190 via Neiman Marcus
Gucci Bree Crossbody Bag
$830 via Net-a-Porter
Jason Wu Diane Shoulder Bag
$1,965 via Neiman Marcus
Jerome Dreyfuss Victor Crossbody Bag
$995 via Shopbop
Lanvin Nela Shopper Tote
$1,650 via Nordstrom
Loeffler Randall Mini Backpack
$395 via Nordstrom
Madewell Transport Tote
$168 via Nordstrom
Maison Martin Margiela Suede Shoulder Bag
$1,388 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Michael Kors Rogers Shoulder Bag
$1,195 via Nordstrom
Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Flap Bag
$2,450 via Neiman Marcus
Nina Ricci Faust Tote
$2,500 via Net-a-Porter
Saint Laurent Monogramme Suede Shoulder Bag
$2,190 via Net-a-Porter
Salvatore Ferragamo Fiamma Bag
$2,250 via Neiman Marcus
Sophie Hulme Gibson Bucket Bag
$850 via Net-a-Porter
Street Level Reversible Faux Leather Tote
$78 via Nordstrom
The Row Leather Backpack
$4,200 via Neiman Marcus
Valentino Lock Bag
$2,345 via Net-a-Porter
Vince Medium Messenger Bag
$445 via Shopbop
I have been noticing all of the pictures of GiGi Hadid carrying a tan/camel Marc Jacobs bag and have been thinking the same thing about the versatility and great look of the perfect color tan/camel bag. Definitely a great neutral.
Love the Sophie Hulme bucket that is pictured above. I’m a Bottega Veneta devotee but just purchased a Sophie Hulme tote as a work bag. My Sophie Hulme convertible tote replaced the Madewell Transport Tote that is pictured above. The Madewell Transport Tote is also a great little workhorse of a bag, I just got sick of it and wanted something handheld rather than shoulder carry.
How do you find the Sophie Hulme bag? I like her bags but was wondering if the quality is any good? Easy to use? x
The quality is as good as any other designer bag I’ve owned. I’m very happy with it
I’ve always preferred a tan bag over black. I always find black too harsh.
I love the warmth of these bags and Madewell will even heat stamp their tote with your initials! I haven’t been a big fan of the Givenchy Antigona but this tan one has caught my eye, I love the contrast stitching.
The Valentino is really, really nice. I bought a Gucci soho last week but that was the first black bag i bought in 15 years. I agree with the comments below that black looks harsh. I think bags look more expensive in non-black.
Can someone help me understand why the Antigona is almost double other leather non exotic typical Antigona bags? Am I missing something?
Thanks for all the quick responses folks. It’s a beautiful bag but unless the stitching is made of gold uhn no. I’m not lying double.
As best I can tell, it’s an elevated leather fabrication. Unfortunately, the retail site’s copy doesn’t do a good job of explaining the distinction in materials. Saint Laurent did a SDJ like this (similar color and stitching) at a big price jump last season, and it went on sale in a couple places for the same reason: the story behind the difference in price was communicated poorly to customers.
It’s the contrast stitching, I guess? I think it looks better. Not worth the price increase, but it looks nice!
That is rather expensive for an Antigona. The medium goatskin is usually around 2400
I’m assuming that the fabrication is different. Maybe it’s lambskin.
Wow — I’m on trend 😉 I recently bought a Prada BN 2793 in Brandy (rich tan but not orange-y) and just ordered the Rodtnes Falda bag in Camel (pictured below). And, IMO, the Falda for 530 Swiss francs is a bargain.
I like most colours but a tan bag just gets my heart every time. That Tan Antigona does things to me that a black Antigona just can’t. Natural vegetable tanned leather like vachetta that’s patina-ed and aged gracefully is really one of the most beautiful materials.
I think the neutral you select is based on the colors of clothing you like to wear. I wear a lot of jewel tones. So, black – and to a lesser extent grey and white – are my neutrals.
That being said, tan is a gorgeous color in a rich leather and every girl needs tan / caramel bags and shoes in her wardrobe.
lovely article ! THANKS !
The Gucci is straight from 1981 & in a good way!
I know, right? I kind of love it.
I’m still in love with my Modalu Pippa Brogue which le BF got me for my bday last spring. Modalu does great tan in different shades, plus the quality is excellent given the price point. I’m still in search for the perfect tan ballerines (I’m 6’1″ so just any lil’ shoes won’t fit my ginormous paddles :D) to accompany the bag, but tan works with any color so it’s easy to mix ‘n’ match. An easy color to wear the year round!
Best tan is a real cognac. Anything else does not wear well (at least for me.) With that said the Loeffler Randall backpack is cute and just the thing to give my left shoulder a rest.
I had a time when I bought bags in every colour. I had yellow, red, turquoise and so on, because I really like colourful bags and I like the combo jeans, white shirt, colourful bag. However, as I travel a lot, I realised that this does not work so well. If you want to pack light, you cannot take 5 different bags so I sold some of my bags and invested in neutral colours that go with everything. I have a Marcie in tan and the Chloé Elsie in nut which is a great neutral. During winter and especially with dark denim, I go for black as I don’t want to worry all the time about colour transfer.