HOW TO STYLE THIS SEASON’S COACH IT BAG

Regina George’s two Fendi purses (and a silver Lexus), Jackie O’s self-titled Gucci Hobo, Miranda Priestley’s Prada Spazzelato handbag: bags are fashion’s Mount Everest. The entirely intangible, endlessly chic pieces that not only have fashion fans obsessed but go on to define entire decades in style. Some bags are mini. Some are ludicrously capacious. Some are bright, some are subdued. Some are practical, some entirely ridiculous (in the best way possible). But finding one that'll take you from corporate girlie to weekend chill via a hot night out? Well, that's something quite special. 

Hot off the press - and Bella Hadid's right arm if you can get her to let go for one second - you’ll find the bag which has currently got us all in a chokehold (much like everything else they're doing right now). The Brooklyn. A slouchy, delicious, '90s-inspired, hobo-style shoulder bag that feels - as exactly as its namesake suggests - like New York, in a bag. Especially when in Big Apple green. 

So you've found your It bag of the season. But how do you style your It bag of the season? How do you make it work for different occasions, and how many ways can you wear it? Well, that’s where we come in...

This is FLANNELS 3-Ways, your new styling BFF. We’re breaking down three ways to style the most important items in your closet. And this is how to style the It bag du jour, Coach's Brooklyn Shoulder Bag. Whether you’re working hard, hardly working or going all-out, this is how to wear your It bag for multiple occasions, with a little help from Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and more.

Working 9-5? What a way to make a living. For the corporate girlies out there, we're here to prove your office wardrobe doesn't have to be boring. If you don't mind breaking a few outdated dress codes that is...

First things first, you'll want a blazer. This season's offering from Saint Laurent is a delight. Big and boxy with power shoulders, it comes in an autumn-ready check that plays into our current obsession with all things brown. Think chic librarian a la Bella Hadid, hot lit girl a la Billie Eilish. Add a laced tank top underneath to keep things feeling fresh, not stuffy. And, here's where things get interesting, a pair of Bermuda jorts. All the rage this summer, they've got life long after the heat has gone. Pair them with a blazer and killer heels (Saint Laurent's animal-print slingbacks no less) and they've moved from beach to boardroom in an instant.

Office dressing is all about finding joy where you can, so don't hold back on the accessories. Bottega Veneta's Knot Earrings will elevate any Zoom call. Tom Ford's '70s-style sunnies are almost light enough to get away with Friday mornings as your desk but otherwise will add an air of mystery to your lunchtime walks. And a Prada belt will bring the whole thing together.

Last, but not least, the bag. Coach's Brooklyn is the dreamiest of work bags: small enough not to weigh you down, but large enough to carry the must-read book and a commute-friendly snack. Oh, just us?

It bags are made to be seen. To be touted around the town, to be the main character of your outfit. To be the ultimate piece of arm candy. Because let’s face it – boyfriends come and go, but Coach's Brooklyn Bag is forever…

And the perfect way to pledge your commitment to Coach? By getting all dressed up of course. Your partner in crime? This tomato-red leather skirt from Prada. Aka, two big AW24 trends in one. Pair with Gucci's nearly naked body suit and add a cute little cardi (because it is autumn) on top. The trick? Just do up the first couple of buttons and leave a triangle showing underneath (fashion's new favourite shape). As for the shoes? Match them to your bag, obviously. Prada's lime green party heels are the one. 

In fashion, as in life, we’re always searching for something. That thing? It’s how to look like an off-duty model. Like ‘90s era Kate Moss or ‘20s era Bella Hadid. Stunning and scene-stealing in a way that looks effortless, even if behind the scenes you’ve spent a hundred hours planning your outfit…

So: how do you do it? Start with the It girl’s best friend; a white, logo-adorned tank top. This one from Vivienne Westwood is an instant winner. On the bottom, keep it large and loose with a pair of Maison Margiela's cut-out jeans – the baggy fit and slashes to each side elevate these trousers, making them a must-have for the AW24 season. For your shoes, a pair of Maison Margiela's cult Tabi Ballet Flats. The marmite of the shoe world, they're divisive for sure, but for those of us who love them, it's a long-term affair. Finish things off with an oversized leather jacket via Alexander McQueen and a pair of Bottega Veneta shades. Your Coach bag is in good company.