Soft, gathered shapes feel relaxed without losing polish. Knotted straps and drawstring tops add texture, while suede and leather give the silhouette enough weight for fall. In this edit, I look at a knot, panel seam, woven body or easy slouch as a detail worth wearing in its own right.

We start with the knotted drawstring clutch, because it is an easy silhouette to love in October. The Monica clutch from LEMIZ is metallic silver lambskin with knotted wrist straps, a good partner for a black knit dress. The Strathberry drawstring suede crossbody in lime khaki has a slim strap, so your hands stay free. The Tory Burch Ella is slouchy caramel suede with side ties, and the Cavatelli from COS is a navy suede bucket with knotted drawstrings at either side. The Loeffler Randall Helga twists soft brown suede into one big knot at the top.

My test for this shape: hold it by the knot or ties and see whether the top gathers into soft ruffles. A good one folds in on itself without looking limp. Suede in a deep color is the easiest way to get that mood with tights and boots.

Angular seams give a geometric bag its shape and make the design read clearly from across a room. Look for panels that are cut and joined cleanly; a boxy silhouette can feel polished without extra hardware.

The Midori tote from Charles & Keith is boxy and chocolate brown, with faceted panels and double handles, and the Nasrin shoulder bag in the same brown has a flap with angular seams and a long strap. The Strathberry Mosaic is structured black grain leather with an angular flap, handmade in Spain. For softer, color-led versions, look at the olive and tan suede Vida from Veronica Beard, or the Coach Plaza, pieced from tan, black and brown leather squares. Bimba y Lola's patchwork shoulder bag in black is soft, with a zip top.

In the fitting room, run a thumb along the seams. Panels should meet cleanly, with even stitching and edges that do not curl. Check that the corners hold when the bag is half full, since a shape this angular should keep its lines. Wear a plain coat with it, camel or charcoal, and let the seams do the talking.

What I would skip: a panelled bag with printed-on seams that are only a pattern. The geometry should be built in, not drawn on.

A raffia basket feels current because it balances natural texture with useful structure. Straw or raffia against leather handles gives a clean contrast; a flared or tapered body keeps it from reading too casual. Stripes bring another easy pattern into the mix.

The Lattice Basket Tote from Hunting Season is honey straw with an open weave and long tan handles, and its Small Trapeze Basket in natural has a black leather handle and a tie closure. LIFFNER's black straw basket has a flared shape with two slim handles, and its Single Handle Basket Tote has stripes and one tall black handle. The Veronica Beard striped raffia tote tapers toward the base with tan straps, an easy way to bring pattern into a neutral outfit.

For raffia at work, I would choose something understated in a neutral shade with leather details, and leave room for a laptop. Look at the base, then lift the handles. A basket that slumps when you set it down is a beach bag. In October I would carry one over a heavy knit and wide trousers, and keep it away from rain.

What I would skip: handles that look glued or tacked on rather than stitched through the body.

The appeal of a soft shoulder bag is in how it moves, then settles into a shape. Look for leather or suede that drapes gently, with an arched handle or a firm base to give it a little structure. The silhouettes below get there in different ways.

The Esme suede shoulder bag from Quince is a slouchy whiskey hobo with one soft strap, and its Italian suede crescent in pebble is a taupe half moon with an adjustable strap. Vince's small leather hobo is a soft camel-tan with a gold buckle on the strap. The STAUD Dani is a slouchy espresso suede bag with a knotted leather strap detail, a good pick if you like a knot but want more room. Mansur Gavriel's Candy in black pebbled leather has a suede lining and a top zip, and Dolce Vita's Sloan is cognac leather with a ruched top.

Pick it up by the strap and see how it drapes. A good soft bag collapses gently, without stretching the strap or creasing hard at the corners. Black or espresso with a dark turtleneck is a quiet look for fall, and olive suede with a gray coat looks warm. Suede likes dry weather and a soft brush.

What I would skip: very thin leather that cannot hold a rounded shoulder, since the whole point is a shape that settles gently rather than sagging.

A small leather charm can change the mood of a plain bag without much effort. Fruit shapes and tiny playful motifs feel especially good against simple raffia, smooth leather or suede; one detail is enough to make a strap personal.

Madewell's woven leather fish in red hangs from a knotted leather strap, and its woven pineapple in cream and green has a green leather tassel and a gold ring. Brahmin's tomato charm is two glossy red leather tomatoes on a green cord. For something sleeker, Tory Burch's ballet-flat charm is mini black leather on a tan loop, and AllSaints' black heart has knotted tassels. The COACH crochet squirrel in rust holds a tiny acorn on a leather cord, and the Kate Spade fox and the MAISON de SABRÉ orange fruit charm are playful in a smaller way.

Clip one to the zipper pull or strap ring of a basket or a suede hobo, and check that the clasp closes firmly before you walk out the door. A heavy charm on a thin strap will tilt a light bag, so keep the weight modest.

What I would skip: charms on a bag that is already busy with texture. One small leather charm is enough.

I would begin with the shape you already carry, not the one you saw. If you live in a shoulder bag, a soft suede hobo with a knotted detail is an easy choice. If you want something for evenings out, I would pick a suede drawstring clutch and wear it with tights and a slip dress.

Next, add the texture: a raffia basket with leather handles for the first warm weekend, or a panelled leather bag for the office. A charm goes last, because it is a finishing touch, not a purchase that needs planning.

The best choice is the one that fits what you carry and feels easy to wear. I would choose the silhouette first, then let texture or a small charm add personality.

If you love the Loewe Puzzle bag, I’d give these sculptural shapes a look too. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together The Make Up Bag Edit and The Woven Raffia Bag Has a Day Job.