These are the trendy luxury designer bags that transcend seasons
You should own at least one from this list
If you're bag shopping for 2023, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up bags that are designed to look good regardless of the season. Not just in the clean lines and functionality, but in the quality of the construction. The high-end leathers these bags are usually made of – like box calf, silk calf and nappa lambskin – have a polished look that ages extremely well.
Savvy shoppers and industry folk call it the “permanent collection”.
These new designs aim to find a lasting place in your life. ‘Classic’ as it turns out is as much a descriptive quality as an aspirational one these days. I like to call these arm candies my “forever” bag. Meaning, a classic design that wouldn’t feel dated (or even better, that would grow to look more desirable) a few years from now.
Fendi First Small Clutch seen at the Fendi Fall/Winter 2023 runway
What fortuitous timing, then, that luxury brands and designers are on a similar wavelength. I suspect, too, that this is what a lot of shoppers are looking for these days. Novelty and opulence are great distractions, but things that are simply beautiful and well-made can also offer far more lasting pleasure. Here are a couple of good examples.
Loewe is stranger to cult bags every season and in 2023 they launched the Paseo bag crafted from the finest Nappa calfskin leather and lined with suede. It comes in two styles - a regular shoulder handbag version and the top-handle dumpling style. If you're contemplating which design you should bag, the dumpling version is better buy has it has a more signature shape plus if you can carry it as a top handle, as a shoulder bag and as a clutch! Available in three sizes – small, medium and XL – we're predicting this to be an instant classic.
The Bottega Veneta Sardine bag is like the new "facelift" sister of the Jodie. The designs takes on iconic key points from the Jodie, but the Sardine's brass handle is definitely the star of this bag. Those who are familiar with the Intrecciato leather method synonymous with Bottega Veneta, will also appreciate that the Sardine embraces this signature weave . Fret not if you're already an owner of the Jodie (it still sits in the ranks of classic handbags) but if you're looking to score another Bottega piece, we totally recommend the Sardine. We love how it's roomy enough for the day and sexy for the evenings.
You heard it here first that clutches are coming back strong next season and there is the Fendi First Small clutch should be top in your shopping list. In tandem with everyone's obsession with quiet luxury, this handcrafted clutch in soft nappa leather is designed with the iconic Fendi logo subtly incorporated as the "clasp" of the clutch. But hey, if you're tired of carrying it as a clutch, the bag can also be worn on the shoulder thanks to the detachable shoulder strap. Sweet.
Drawing influence from Prada’s archives, the Cleo bag is a statement-worthy piece that goes way beyond trends. And you have to thank its sleek, sophisticated and immaculately crafted silhouette for its timelessness and versatility. It goes well with denim, party outfits, or even your business co-ords – it’s no wonder many have turned to this bag as their everyday bag
The Gucci Horsebit was first conceived a few years ago, and while it may not be new to the scene, the classic design has remained a staple for many even up to this date. Instantly recognisable by its signature double ring and bar design, the bag’s emblem was first seen on a pair of loafers in 1953, and has remained one of the most recognisable brand motifs to date.
Maria Grazia Chiuri is a genius at figuring out what women really want to wear and carry. This 30 Montaigne bag in box calfskin is a great example. As an ode to the brand’s historic headquarters in Paris, the shape of the 30 Montaigne is as boxy and enduring in style as a building. What’s quite neat is the gold-finish clasp, which opens up along the stem (typography speak for vertical lines) of the letter ‘D’ so that the bag still says CD when open.
While Celine does indeed have a very famous bag literally named the ‘Classic’, might I point you instead in the direction of this very elegant alternative? It’s a bit more reflective of the Hedi Slimane era of the French house, and features the archival Triomphe motif from the 1970s that the artistic/creative/image director reintroduced as a key piece of design iconography.
The original version of this article was first seen in Female.