Our fashion expert reveals the autumn bags to invest in and the dupes that will keep stylists guessing…

August is drawing to a close and the days are noticeably getting shorter. Time to pack away the summer raffia bags and baskets and convert your clutter into something more suitable for a wet British autumn.

But before you dust off your trusty old bags and shoulder bags, you might want to consider whether it might be time for an accessory upgrade.

The designers’ fall/winter collections were packed with bold, chic bags in opulent chocolate brown and burgundy hues, comfortable, Alpine-inspired textures and bold chain details.

The good news is that the big brands sell perfect look-alikes, so you don’t have to be Miss Moneybags to have the latest it-bag.

Here we show you how to get a designer look for less…

Chocolate Chic

Chocolate brown is the color of the season. Less harsh than black, looks expensive and works just as well with neutrals as with brighter colors.

The Brooklyn by Coach has become a social media sensation, with fashion experts even naming it the it-bag of the autumn (£495, uk.coach.com).

Its minimalist shape makes it a timeless classic that some find worth the investment. For a more wallet-friendly alternative, head to Anthropologie for the Love Knot for under £100.

Really stylish sheepskin

Shearling isn’t just for coats and Ugg boots. Chanel’s soft, neutral-toned tote stole the show on the AW24 runway.

The High Street has carried the style along too. Check out Russell & Bromley’s smart brown suede bag with shearling trim for (£345, russellandbromley.co.uk). New Look has a smaller suede style with a detachable strap (£24.99, newlook.com).

Sloppy but smart

Just as the start of the school year was a reason to buy a new pencil case, returning to the office after the summer holidays is the perfect reason to treat yourself to some new accessories.

Forget structured shapes and boxy bags, this season’s must-have is a casual, slouchy style, as seen in Miu Miu’s AW24 show.

Red was the colour of summer, but for an autumnal upgrade, opt for a muted berry shade, like this PU shoulder bag from Next (£40, next.co.uk).

This popular design can be worn under your arm, but also has multiple straps for those who prefer to keep their hands free.

Lots of practical pockets

It’s usually a bad idea to re-wear trends from your 20s or 30s, but there is one accessory from the 90s that you can re-wear.

Remember those shoulder bags with multiple compartments, one for your lipstick, one for your keys? They’re back, and Acne Studios is leading the way with bags in a range of colours and sizes (from £850, acnestudios.com).

Cheaper but just as striking, Charles and Keith have a similar style in burnished brown (£89, charleskeith.co.uk).

And for an even better bargain, head to Tu at Sainsbury’s for their black faux leather bag.

Thick chain decoration

Stella McCartney’s Falabella has been a celebrity favorite for years, from Rihanna to Jennifer Garner.

The slouchy tote, with its signature chain embellishment, launched in 2009 and remains a best-seller.

Chain handles are back in fashion after Spanish designer Loewe introduced a striking silver pebble-shaped chain for its Flamenco bag (£2,550, loewe.com).

You can buy an almost identical model at River Island for £32.

Totally trendy red

Spicy red is the color of summer and will continue to be so into fall. A cylinder bag (more luxurious than a baguette and with curved edges) is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe.

They are more spacious than they look and are the perfect bag for cocktails – or coffee!

Take inspiration from Jil Sanders’ AW 24 show, where she paired her bright Cannolo bag with an all-black ensemble, and wear your red shoulder bag with a monochrome outfit (£1,130, jilsander.com).

Good High Street lookalikes are hard to come by, but Mint Velvet has a great alternative that will easily fit all your essentials (£199, mintvelvet.com)