Be Gone, Big Bags—Anne Hathaway Just Started NYFW With a Tiny Purse
In an on-trend color, too.
New York Fashion Week is just getting started, and yet it has already become a Big Bag Convention. While editors, industry insiders, and influencers zoom from one runway show to the next, the street style circuit shows no shortage of bottomless shoulder styles. That's why it was so surprising to see Anne Hathaway with a tiny purple purse in tow on September 9, the eve of NYFW.
For Hathaway, Fashion Month began at the unveiling of "auruBOROS—Urban Memory and Collective Dream," Bulgari's first public art installation in the country. The pregnant star's longtime stylist, Erin Walsh, dressed her in an airy gown from McQueen's Fall 2026 fashion show.
The sweetheart neckline became its only structured design detail, and even that was buried beneath layers of floating chiffon. Better yet, the goddess-like strapless style (which could've been leftover from The Odyssey press tour) complemented the color trend that her novelty purse tapped into.
Before adding her Bulgari diamonds, Anne Hathaway arrived at NYFW with a tiny purple purse.
The jewelry brand ambassador didn't just frost herself in Bulgari bling. Her top-handle bag, the "Serpenti Cuore 1968," was on loan from the Italian label's catalog, too. Just big enough to carry her phone and lipstick, it prioritized fashion over function.
Eventually, Hathaway ditched the LPP (little purple purse) for Bulgari diamonds.
Once inside the celebrity-beloved Boom Boom Room, Hathaway finished her first NYFW 'fit of the season with a Bulgari Serpenti Pendant Necklace, diamond bangles and earring studs, metallic gold sandals by Aquazzura, and a red-hot lip and manicure (a subtle take on the red-and-purple color combination trend).
Is the Bulgari bag an unusual choice for NYFW? Perhaps, but not for Hathaway. During The Odyssey press tour, she stepped outside her black-bag comfort zone with a moss green Valentino DeVain, a linen-and-leather Prada Bonnie, and more.
Maybe Fall 2026 fashion shows from Celine, Area, Balenciaga, and CFCL inspired Hathaway to add a purple purse to her roster. Violet, lavender, raspberry, periwinkle, and amethyst clutches painted the runways purple.
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CFCL darkened the purple purse trend for Fall 2026.
Celine's clutch was shade-matched to a statement trench coat.
Area turned the bag trend suede.
Balenciaga's purple purse was one of the season's brightest.
So, while you look to Coach, Tory Burch, Kallmeyer, and more NYFW favorites to determine the It color for Spring 2027 slings, upgrade your autumn accessories collection with the Hathaway-approved pieces below.
Shop Little Purple Purses Inspired by Anne Hathaway
Meguire Hennes is the fashion staff writer at Marie Claire, where she breaks down the celebrity looks living rent-free in her head (and yours). Whether a star is walking the red carpet or posing on Instagram, Meguire will tell you who they're wearing and why. When she's not gushing about A-listers from J.Law to Rihanna, Meguire also covers breaking industry news.
Previously, Meguire was the fashion news writer at The Zoe Report. She received a bachelor's degree in fashion studies at Montclair State University, and has freelanced at Bustle, Women's Health, Well+Good, and more. You can find her words across the fashion, beauty, health, and wellness verticals, because her Libra moon wouldn't let her settle on one beat. Follow her on Instagram for BTS moments from her Marie Claire era.