Can you recall the first designer bag you ever had? For me, it was a gift from my father—a ’90-inspired rainbow-hued Coach bag with an aqua blue shoulder strap that I wore to death. The joy that my first bag brought me turned me into somewhat of a purse aficionado. I’m always stalking the runway to spot which bag trends are bubbling up, I’m forever scrolling through The RealReal for hidden gems, and I am scouring sales hoping to secure a bag for less. Basically, I’m a bag lady to my core. And if you’re reading this, I’m guessing that you, too, have a thing for handbags. However, just because we love our bags doesn’t mean that discerning which designer handbags are worth the investment comes easy.
It makes it more challenging because there’s not only a constant stream of new designer bags, but we’re generally pickier. The bag ladies are all chasing that original euphoric feeling our first bag gave us, and if we’re being honest, not every bag can conjure butterflies. So, which styles can make us giddy again? Ahead, we did some research around recent luxury drops, along with digging around Instagram to identify the 8 newest designer handbags to be excited about right now. These are not only gaining popularity with the fashion set but they’re bound to make you feel like a child with an exciting new toy (in the best way possible).
“So, is Diesel back?” A question posed by a friend in my direct messages a few weeks back made it clear that this brand has re-entered the chat (quite literally). While this Italian brand has always managed to cause a stir because of its alternative aesthetic, its new-found buzz can be attributed to Glenn Martens. Appointed as the creative director in 2020, Martens has brought the brand into the future while paying homage to the label’s history. You can see that artful balance throughout the F/W 22 collection—denim and leather pieces were created using distressing techniques but were packaged into nostalgic ’00s hemlines (i.e., motorcycle jackets and miniskirts or low-rise jeans with matching boots). But possibly the strongest indicator of the direction Marten’s is carrying Diesel into is the release of the 1DR shoulder bag. The handbag gives off a motorcycle chick in 2003 vibe, but don’t be fooled; this bag is the future. Not just because it comes in metallic hues, but because it’s steadily becoming the embodiment of a conversational piece.
It’s giving barbiecore.
You can wear this with everything.
She comes in a miniature size too!
This color!
Which brands come to mind when contemplating handbags that stand the test of time? There’s defiantly no shortage of luxury brands out there, but if we’re being honest, none can quite do it as Gucci does. There’s a laundry list of bags from this Italian fashion house that have managed to become cemented as it-bags—from the GG Marmont to the Jackie 1961 to the Dionysus, the list goes on. But what makes this brand, and by extension, its bags, stand the test of time is the continuous ability to draw inspiration from the archives and revitalize it for the present moment. Such is the case with the release of the new Blondie in May 2022. Before Gucci’s Spring/ Summer 2022 collection presentation in Los Angeles, you could only find this handbag style on online resale platforms like eBay as it was released in 1971. But the genius of Gucci, and to the credit of creative director Alessandro Michele, is that there’s an understanding that evolution is a key part of keeping a legacy brand alive (and the secret to dolling out the best designer bags in the game). Which makes the return of the Blondie bag all the more exciting. This bag may be from the ‘70s, but it’s brought into this decade through a focus on versatility—it’s available in a clutch, messenger, and shoulder iteration. It is made from leather, suede, and canvas, all adorned with the iconic interlocking G symbol. The result is a bag that’s very much of this moment in time but can stand the test of time too.
Ideal for day-to-night wear.
Too classy for this world.
The suede versions of the bag are peak ’70s energy.
I mean… how could you not love this bag?
Consider this your public service announcement that there are a ton of contemporary luxury brands creating handbags worth buying—By Far happens to be one of them. Since its founding in 2016 by Bulgarian sisters Valentina Ignatova, Sabina Gyosheva, and Denitsa Bumbarova, this luxury label has cemented itself as a trendsetter in the industry. This isn’t because they’ve been spotted on the celeb and fashion set alike (though it helps), but because they have a knack for taking classic silhouettes (like a shoulder bag or slingback heel) and applying a more trend-forward spin that lends the pieces to becoming viral. Just look to the brand’s hero bag, Rachel, as proof—the ‘90s-inspired crocodile shoulder bag adorned with a chain managed to kick-start the frenzy for the nostalgic silhouette back in 2019. But these sisters aren’t resting on their laurels, season after season, they manage to up their game, and the most recent example of that is the release of their Dulce Shoulder Bag. From the Pre-Fall 2022 collection, the Dulce Shoulder bag is the type of bag that can make you stop mid-scroll (speaking from personal experience, here). It’s got that classic ‘00s shape and is adorned with crystals and studs, but it also comes in everything from leather to suede, from neutrals to metallics. Basically, it’s got all the elements to be an it-bag, and we’ll be placing heavy bets that come fall, you won’t be able to scroll without spotting this By Far bag.
The way this bag makes me want to scream, “Alien Superstar.”
It’s not blue; it’s Azur.
The studs really are something else.
Imagining all the ways I can style this bag, BRB.
Candidly speaking here, I don’t think a day has passed this year that I didn’t hear someone talking about one specific brand: Miu Miu. Of course, this Italian luxury house has always had a space in the fashion lexicon since its founding by Miuccia Bianchi Prada in 1993; but that doesn’t deter from the fact that the fashion set has been under a Miu Miu spell this past year. It wasn’t a potion that transfixed the fashion set, but rather the viral SS/22 and FW/22 collections that championed micro mini-skirts, moto jackets, and ballet flats. While social media was rightfully set ablaze by Miu Miu’s ready-to-wear and footwear collections, we should give equal attention to the brand’s handbags. More specifically, the Matelassé. This bag has been an it-bag for years because of its cloud-like leather, but its most recent iteration is an elixir for the bag lady chasing that euphoric feeling. The Wander Matelassé Hobo Bag comes in a sleek curved shape in various sizes, hues, and even regenerated nylon made from recycled plastic bottles. The result is a bag that can manage to eclipse our wildest fantasies, all while being functional enough for everyday wear. Maybe it’s magic, or maybe it’s Miu Miu, but either way, it’s safe to say this new designer handbag is a must-shop.
Is this not the dreamiest mini bag you’ve ever seen?
Fun fact: all of the recycled plastic used to create nylon for Miu Miu’s Wander Matelassé bags is sourced from the ocean, so you’re saving the planet, and serving a look with this bag.
You’ll wear this bag for years to come, trust us.
It’s the color for me, though.
The beauty of a legacy brand (like Celine) is that at any point in time, a creative director can look to the past and pull inspiration from it to create something that feels entirely brand-new. Creating something new, though, doesn’t come without its fair share of controversies—and Celine has had them for sure. Many may remember how shaken-up the industry was at the appointment of Slimane as creative director of Celine back in 2018, yet that was his exact purpose—to shake the ground a bit and unearth some gems in the process. On a larger scale, you can see that through Celine’s expansion into menswear and couture, but on a more approachable scale, it’s most visible through the release of the Triomphe bag. While this style was first shown in F/W 21, it made a triumphant return in Celine’s SS/ 22 collection and has not left the chat since. The rise in popularity of this back can partially be attributed to the fact it’s been spotted on everyone from Kaia Gerber to Selena Gomez, but it also has to do with the bag itself. The Triomphe bag pays homage to the brand’s long heritage of minimalism (it’s a sleek rectangular silhouette), yet the details are where you can find Slimane’s touch. From an emphasis on sourcing calfskin leather to adding a chain strap and reimagining the interlocking “c” logo as a closure for the bag, it’s clear that the house’s foundations are there, but Slimane has decorated it in a whole new way.
She’s classic.
For the girls that like a little spice.
We love a logo-adorned bag.
The Cuir version of Thiomphe is the most recent version of this bag, and its unique leather closure is causing quite the stir.
Editors, to some extent, can become immune to the excitement surrounding a new launch, collection, or season—we’ve seen it all, honey. But, every once in a while, something will come along and make our hearts flutter; for me, it just so happened to be the release of Fendi’s Fendigraphy bag. First unveiled in Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection, you’d think the bag would be the last thing I’d spot. After all, the runway was filled with beautiful ‘70s-inspired coats paired with illustrated knee-high boots, full-length satin maxi dresses, and colorful kaftans; and yet, it was the bag that was the final nail in the coffin for me. Of course, I’m not the first person to on-sight lose it over a Fendi bag. Since its founding in 1925, leather goods and handbags have been a pivotal part of this maison’s success. That moment when you can identify a Fendi bag because of its iconography is a part of what makes Fendi, well, Fendi. Logo-mania would not be what it is today without this luxury house. And while we’ve seen a subtle shift away from the head-to-toe logo look, Fendi has made it feel fresh by introducing the Fendigraphy bag. Unlike previous bags, the vintage gold metal “Fendi” lettering can only be spotted in a flash second when the purse is held on your shoulder at an angle, making it a more minimal take on iconography. If that weren’t enough to sell you this bag, then consider that it’s available in three different sizes, various fabrics (like suede, canvas, and leather), and multiple colors and prints. With so much versatility and its prominent placement in Fendi’s FW/ 22 collection, it’s safe to say this bag will be everywhere in a flash.
I’m dreaming of wearing this bag while walking around New York City.
Everything about this bag is perfection—from the houndstooth print to the nano size to the “Fendi” lettering.
I need her, bad.
A cult classic in the making.
Close your eyes and try to visualize what comes to mind when you think about Prada—was it a triangle? Because if so, you’d be angling in the right direction. In the long tradition of this luxury house, this symbol has been a part of the brand’s identity since Mario Prada first introduced it in 1913. Since then, it’s been reenvisioned throughout the years in everything from pointy-toed heels to Prada triangle logo earrings. Each iteration of the triangle symbol thus far has managed to acutely tap into the latent desires of the fashion set without being obtuse. It’s resulted in a brand that’s effectively established itself as the pinnacle of fashion repeatedly and continuously has pieces reach cult status every season. Prada’s F/W 22 collection will be no exception, as it has many pieces that are prime to go viral (like its minimalist tanks or even its pointy-toed sling-back wedges). But, I’m personally hedging my bets for the Symbole Jacquard Fabric Handbag. Miuccia Bianchi Prada has taken the traditional motif and created a geometric design that results in a minimal print with maximum impact.
The best thing about this bag? It comes in various colorways and bag styles.
Upgrade your commuter bag.
Peak ’90s energy.
Too cute to handle.
Apologies to all my fellow mini-bag lovers, but consider this your sign that it may be time to move on to bigger bags. Of course, it’s a hard transition, but luckily for us, Saint Laurent is here to save the day. Anyone who’s ever considered investing in a designer handbag is probably aware that this French house has long been considered one of the top luxury labels in the world. So it’s no surprise that when creative director Anthony Vaccarello showed the Saint Laurent F/W 22 collection in March sans handbags, it became a topic of discussion on Twitter. Hindsight shows, though, that Vaccarello wasn’t thwarting the success of the brand’s bags—he was making space for the splashy unveiling of the Icare Maxi Shopping Bag. Campaigns promoting the Icare were rolled out this past summer and featured it-girls like Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber. Since then, this bag has become a fast favorite with the fashion set because of its quilted lambskin, classic YSL hardware, and spacious interior. While it’s only available in one hue currently, the tote is a reminder that great bags come to those who wait. Like children waiting for the holiday season, bag lovers must remind themselves that identifying the next it-bag is a waiting game—you never know which bag will become popular or even which one you’ll manage to fall for. Still, the excitement of finally finding the perfect bag is worth it every time.
