Nuevo Culture

This Season's Best Small Bags Are Big on Personality

From prim purses with a proper attitude to anything-goes carryalls.

Model Lila Moss walks softly—and carries a savagely cool Alexander McQueen bucket bag, $1,490; alexandermcqueen.com. Celine by Hedi Slimane bouclé jacket; celine.com. Marni top ($490) and sandals; marni.com. Jil Sander leggings (worn throughout), $1,650; jilsander.com. Hair, Blake Henderson; makeup, Phoebe Taylor.

Inspired by a scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie, a Salvatore Ferragamo top-handle bag ($2,500; ferragamo.com) serves up midcentury elegance with just a hint of drama. Bottega Veneta knit dress; bottegaveneta.com.

Moss makes quite a splash with her brushed-leather Prada handbag and dress; prada.com. Rolex watch. Marni sandals.

Moss goes for the knockout blow in bags from Celine by Hedi Slimane (far left, $1,700; celine.com) and Alexander McQueen ($1,490; alexandermcqueen.com). Dolce & Gabbana dress, $2,395; dolcegabbana.com.

In the wilds of East London, a sculptural option from Bottega Veneta (bottegaveneta.com) lets the imagination set sail. Chanel jacket; chanel.com.

A fiery-red handbag from Chanel offers more than its fair share of heat. Chanel jacket and skirt; all at chanel.com.

Moss gets a big kick out of styles from Celine by Hedi Slimane (on the floor; celine.com) and Hermès (hermes.com). Louis Vuitton cropped leather jacket; louisvuitton.com. Chanel tweed vest; chanel.com.