E-Mail This Article to a Friend It’s in the bag With fall comes a new crop of stylish sacks BY LIZA WEISSTUCH

There comes a time every year when we have to stow away our canvas and wicker beach totes and pack up our assortment of pastel purses made of summer’s fun fabrics. We’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that time is fast upon us. For some, fall brings the start of classes; for others, it means new projects at work. But regardless of whether you spend your days in an office, classroom, studio, or store, autumn guarantees that you won’t be trundling around with towels and tanning lotion. You’ll need a sturdier sack for your books, folders, and computer, but the notion of schlepping it around strapped to your back is about as appealing as a sandwich on stale bread. Try lightening the load by using your bag as another way to broadcast your fashion sensibilities.

You can’t go wrong with heavy-duty messenger bags from Hootenanny, which stocks sacks to match every one of your fall jackets: denim ($44), canvas ($29–$55), satin ($49), and corduroy ($48) — with fur lining, of course. The Gap has also hit the messenger-bag trail this season. Its design keeps it simple with a roomy, water-resistant, vinyl-and-mesh variety ($39.50). But for the classic sophisticated fall look, slide your paperbacks and daily planner into a wool-tweed over-the-shoulder bag ($58). It has a short, leather-like strap, plus a pair of snap pockets on the front for all your necessary knickknacks. Think Burberry with urban, funky flash. Designed by Sondra Roberts, the carryalls can be snatched at Jasmine Sola, as can the label’s smaller handbags ($38), also wool tweed. If you incline to a sporty rather than a scholarly look, grab a Red Tango sport bag ($48), also at Jasmine. Some might contest its athletic connotation, since the style is strongly suggestive of a bowling bag, and that’s not an activity everyone would classify as a "sport." But the bags come in crisp fall colors like maroon and periwinkle, and have an indisputable retro flavor.

For retro flare that practically bursts into flames, we recommend visiting Fresh Eggs to get your hands on Tepper Jackson’s bags ($60). Like mini-suitcases with handles, these vinyl bags unzip to reveal two compartments that are just the right size for books and personal items. No matter what you’re carrying, though, the contents probably won’t attract as much attention as the totally mod polka dots, bright stripes, or psychedelic swirls that adorn the exterior.

These bags are all a blast, but they may not be suitable if you’re always in the boardroom or jetting off on planes. For those of us who consider our laptop as essential as our house keys, Nicole Arslanian has designed the sensible-yet-sassy Talene Reilly laptop tote ($276–$388), available at Luna Boston. She makes them in an array of fabrics and styles, but whether you prefer your tote with a flap top, zipper, or snap, all are Teflon-coated to withstand the elements. Many come with a sleeve for your computer that matches the bag’s inner lining. When nestled inside the sack, the sleeve doubles as an organizing divider, so there’s plenty of room to arrange your accessories for work and play.

Where to find it:

• Fresh Eggs, 18 Union Park, Boston, (617) 247-8150.

• The Gap, various locations; www.gap.com

• Hootenanny, the Garage, 36 JFK Street, Cambridge, (617) 864-6623.

• Jasmine Sola, 344 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 867-4636; 37A Brattle Street, Cambridge, (617) 354-6043; www.jasminesola.com

• Luna Boston, 286 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 262-3900.