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Leading up to the ‘It’ bag boom of the early aughts, minimalist purses made of high-quality construction and materials with functionality at top of mind were some of the most coveted accessories of the 1990s. Before fashion lovers did it for the ‘gram, personal style trumped influence — and the most stylish women stood out for their innate fashion sense. For this reason, we still look to these women of the ’90s who topped best-dressed lists for style inspiration, including their effortlessly cool handbags.
For the fall season — when our wardrobes shift with wavering temperatures and our schedules demand versatile pieces that jibe with anything on the docket — these pared-back purses featuring quilted details, chain straps, and streamlined silhouettes offer up effortless ease. You don’t have to ransack a vintage store to find one of these ’90s-inspired bags — Coach has them in spades.
Many Coach handbags feature classic shapes that draw on the brand’s rich heritage, but the Brooklyn Shoulder Bag and Times Square Tabby Bag, in particular, express the minimalist-chic sentiments we saw on many of the ’90s most prominent muses. So if the likes of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy or “When Harry Met Sally”-era Meg Ryan are on your fall style mood board, consider these two everyday bags as your essential accessories.
Left to right: Cindy Crawford, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and Winona Ryder serve fall outfit inspiration throughout the 1990s.
Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; Photo by Lawrence Schwartzwald/Sygma via Getty Images; Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
The Coach Brooklyn Bag (recently seen on the shoulder of modern-day style muse Bella Hadid) acts as a polished upgrade to the canvas tote you usually reach for as a catch-all for your daily haul. Done in supple natural grain leather with a buttery-soft touch, the trending Coach bag delivers understated model-off-duty energy with enough capacity for a gal-on-the-go to fit her laptop, a makeup pouch, and other small trinkets and daily treasures. The Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28 and 39 make practical-yet-chic partners for everyday use with a wide range of attire, from leather jackets and jeans that go from day-to-night to cozy sweaters for casual brunches and a day of window shopping.
For something more structured with a refined look, the Times Square Tabby Bag is a must-have to dress up your capsule wardrobe. Its square proportions, chain strap, and detailed quilting create the effect of heirloom jewelry to top off your outfit of the day — particularly if you reach for the rich red style. Team that burgundy designer bag with a modern ladies-who-lunch bouclé set, or shift into chic neutrals by pairing the classic black colorway with a sleek leather trench coat, a cream blouse, and tall pointed-toe boots. Either way, the quilted detail and metal strap help to create a rich textural effect that will make you look and feel like a million bucks.
Our editors turned to the many muses of the decade — from Winona Ryder’s devil-may-care leather looks to Naomi Campbell’s downtown-meets-uptown girl aura — to create these ’90s fall outfit ideas that feature Coach’s best purses of the season.
The Polished Minimalist
If there’s one style rule that Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy taught us, it’s that the easiest way to look pulled together is to layer on well-tailored, streamlined pieces in a neutral color palette. That’s exactly what this ’90s outfit formula achieves with its simple base of a cream blouse and a leather skirt teamed with a statement chocolate trench coat and all-black accessories. The old-school faux pas of wearing brown and black at once goes to the wayside — particularly with the Coach Times Square Tabby Bag’s flash of gold hardware that ties into the jacket’s belt buckle. It’s all about the fine details.
Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag With Quilting
Shown with: Coach Heritage C Double Breasted Leather Trench ($1,800), Coach Blouse ($295), Coach Heritage C Leather Skirt ($595), Coach Sculpted Signature Leather Tech Gloves ($125), Coach Raquel Extended Calf Boots ($350)
Easy Rider
A leather moto jacket gives any outfit edge, but you don’t have to be a city-slicker to pull off this ’90s-inspired look. The Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39 softens up the biker-chic look with its relaxed silhouette. Swipe on the best red lipsticks for a pretty pout and you’re good to go.
Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39
Shown with: Coach Moto Jacket ($895), Coach Ringer T Shirt ($95), Coach Loose Fit Jeans ($295), Coach Padlock Pendant Necklace ($255), Coach C Hardware Reversible Belt ($150), Coach Dawn Moto Boots ($295)
The Ultimate Uptown-to-Downtown Girl
She’s polished but she loves to have fun — that’s the vibe we get from Coach’s Times Square Tabby Bag in this rich red colorway. To play up this girl-about-town look, a sexy skirt and camisole peek out underneath a prim ivory cardigan. Button the sweater for work, or drape it over your shoulders for play.
Coach Times Square Tabby Shoulder Bag With Quilting
Shown with: Coach Oversized Pocket Cardigan ($550), Coach Taffeta Top ($195), Coach Boucle Skirt ($295), Coach Pillow Tabby Round Sunglasses ($171), Coach Horse And Carriage Chain Strap ($95), Coach Natasha Boots ($325)
When Casual Met Cool
Channel Meg Ryan Fall with this ’90s-inspired look for long days of leisure. The Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28 fits everything you need on-hand for your autumnal excursion (or out to dinner), while leather croc-embossed loafers easily add some extra interest to your effortlessly chic look.
Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28
Shown with: Coach C Hardware Reversible Belt ($174) Coach Baseball Hat ($95), Coach Jocelyn Loafers ($195) Coach Signature Crest Turtleneck ($350), Coach Heritage C Loom Pants ($295)
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Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands like Coach.
