New handbag trends enter the street style scene every season, and we eagerly scout said accessories every time. There are certain handbags that are always in style, as the fashion crowd has demonstrated throughout fashion weeks and on regular street spotting excursions. Reissued brand icons, such as Chanel’s iconic flap and Gucci’s Jackie bag, are an example of this that we are seeing presently. Updated colourways ranging from pastels to metallics are available for the new interpretations. But sometimes, you just can’t resist the classic designer handbags because, well, they’re classic.
If you’re not sure which high-end item to invest in, go no further than the most well-liked designer purses ever. Earning a distinction like that is no small accomplishment, and while many of them have hefty price tags, they are well worth the investment and merit a place in your collection.
They’ve been the most in-demand every year (just look at the stylish folks below for evidence), and they’ll be a fantastic choice for upcoming seasons. Which bags would make an edit of this kind is the key question. To choose which designs should be on the list—no questions asked—I turned to Rachel Ingram (@rachelingramrabin), CEO of Folk Social and former editor-in-chief of the bespoke luxury shopping service Threads Styling (@threadsstyling).
Are you prepared to view our compilation of the top 12 designer bags that fashionistas believe to be the most timeless? See and purchase them below by reading on.
1. The Birkin Bag
Since its launch in 1984, this bag—named after Jane Birkin—has been highly sought-after. “Its existence was a happy accident, borne out of an exchange between Birkin and former Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas on an Air France flight from Paris to London in the early ’80s,” the BBC noted, explaining how it came to be.
What is Ingram’s opinion? “The Birkin is the ultimate must-have purse that is hard to come by and has withstood the test of time! (Everyone remember that episode of Sex and the City where Samantha attempts to obtain one? That is how it actually is! For customers, Threads has located some of the most difficult-to-find Birkins; the rarest of these is a Himalayan Birkin with diamond encrustation. However, since 2016, the average value of Birkins has increased by 16% annually, with exceptional colours seeing an average 20% increase in value. This makes it a wise investment.”
2. The Chanel Quilted Flap Bag
A Chanel purse is the epitome of elegance. Throughout the brand’s history, the quilted flap designs have been a staple since the bag was created by Coco Chanel in 1955.
“Chanel’s classic flap bags are a true collector’s piece, as they come in such a beautiful array of fabrics, sizes and colours,” Ingram states. “We’ve noticed an increase in demand for green flap bags because it’s the season’s colour. The importance of the flap bags never fades.”
3. The Mulberry Alexa
Launched at the beginning of the decade, Mulberry’s Alexa bag—named after Alexa Chung, naturally—became an instant hit. You want one if you didn’t already have one.
Twelve years later, Mulberry has unveiled the renowned bag in a revised silhouette as well as a new, more streamlined version, coinciding with the British company’s 50th birthday. If we claimed we didn’t desire them both, we would be lying.
4. The Gucci Jackie
A list of handbags would not be complete without including Gucci, whose Jackie purse has become a classic. If the name sounds familiar to you, it’s probably because this bag isn’t quite new.
The bag, which bears Jackie Kennedy’s name, was a hero Gucci piece for many years until the brand revived it with a little revamp for the A/W 20 catwalk show. These days, it’s never far from the arms of knowledgeable people.
5. The Dior Saddle Bag
When John Galliano was still running the firm, Dior’s first Saddle Bag made its debut in 1999. Its high resale value indicates that people still want them now. Rihanna and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are two celebs that rock this stylish look.
Its unexpectedly spacious storage makes it a great alternative for an elevated day bag, but it also works well for formal outfits and after dark thanks to its intriguing shape and slim shoulder strap.
6. The Loewe Puzzle Bag
Loewe bags are more specialised for fashion connoisseurs, which makes them even more appealing to discriminating buyers. In contrast, Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags are easily identifiable to the general public.
The Puzzle bag is fast becoming a timeless classic, even though the majority of Loewe bags are proving to be wise purchases. Since its launch in 2015, the classic form has been a mainstay among the street style crowd. It is updated with new, gorgeous colour combinations every season.
7. The Louis Vuitton Speedy
The Speedy, the brand-first bag Louis Vuitton ever designed, was an instant hit when it was initially introduced in the 1930s and has since been worn by some of the most beautiful ladies in the world. (How are you finding Audrey Hepburn?)
At Hepburn’s request, Louis Vuitton unveiled a scaled-down version of the Louis Vuitton Speedy, measuring 25 cm wide instead of the original 30 cm, which is still a very popular size today. The Speedy Bandouliere made its debut in 2011. As the word “bandouliere” translates to “with a strap” in French, you’ll never have to guess what was updated. Even if they’re become harder to find, luxury resale websites nevertheless allow you to purchase a Speedy for yourself.
8. The Row Margaux
The Row, in contrast to a lot of the vintage companies on this list, has accomplished something truly unique: it has become a contemporary icon. Fashion insiders have predicted that the Margaux will become the next Birkin because it is so adored and classic.
The Margaux perfectly captures The Rows’ minimalist aesthetic with its crisp lines, uncomplicated form, and subtle vibe. While other brands use their trademarks to draw attention, this bag embodies true luxury in its most understated form.
9. The Prada Nylon
Although the Prada Nylon is undoubtedly a more modern take on a traditional bag, we were unable to leave it off of this list due to its ongoing popularity.
“What I love most about this bag is its great entry price point for a designer arm candy, and that the nylon fabric is incredibly durable,” says Ingram.
10. The Bottega Veneta Jodie
“Quickly becoming a cult brand, Bottega Veneta has produced some real standout styles over the last couple of years,” Ingram states. “The exceptional craftsmanship of these bags, which range from the Gyoza pouch—a clutch shaped like—you got it—to the Cassette bag, making them invaluable investments.
On the other hand, we have repeatedly observed the tiny Jodie sell out. The ideal bag to use during the day or as a substitute for an evening bag.”
11. The Fendi Baguette
Of all the ’90s fashions to return, we’re so happy the Fendi baguette chose to. Even though Carrie Bradshaw’s purse is tiny, it has major fashion influence (is it just us or is there a hint of a SATC theme here?).
According to Ingram, “the bag that never gets old and never fails to be in-demand.” Like the Chanel flap, it’s available in a variety of sizes, hues, and materials, from daytime monograms to evening sequins. But my favourite is the make-it-yourself embroidery version.”
12. The Celine Triomphe
Upon joining Celine House, Hedi Slimane completely revamped the brand’s iconography. The rediscovery of the Triomphe motif, which features a double C in the elaborate closing, was one aspect of this.
A timeless crossbody bag is always a good choice for the stylish crowd. The Celine Triomphe is a useful and stylish everyday bag that has a timeless form. The Triomphe symbol, a less noticeable emblem for the company that only serious fashion fans will identify, was revived by Hedi Slimane.
Maxine Eggenberger is the deputy editor of Who What Wear UK and has worked in the fashion industry for more than thirteen years. Since 2018, she has been producing captivating and sophisticated fashion content especially for Who What Wear UK. Her work includes columns and runway reports, as well as long-form pieces, self-styled shopping experiences, emerging trends, and her selection of the greatest new arrivals. She makes sure that the site’s strictest editorial guidelines are followed, oversees the editorial team’s keyword research and SEO strategy, collaborates closely with the beauty team on content projects, represents the company at trade shows, and frequently posts on social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays.
Maxine used to host her own fashion segment on ITV’s This Morning. She has conducted interviews with a wide range of celebrities, including Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o and Victoria Beckham.
Maxine’s career started before she joined Who What Wear UK, when she was offered a job on the fashion department of Look magazine following her first-ever internship there. She agreed, graduating from college a year ahead of schedule. She quickly ascended through the ranks to become the title’s fashion news and commercial content editor thanks to her passion and innate skill for writing and styling. Along the way, she held the position of fashion and beauty writer at InStyle.co.uk. Later, she oversaw print and internet as Look’s interim Editor in Chief. After that, she started a lucrative freelancing career, working with Grazia,
Marie Claire and The Pool, to name a few.
Maxine works remotely from her rural home close to Edinburgh, where she enjoys walking her dogs, remodelling her home, entertaining guests, and learning how to make the perfect old-fashioned cocktail.
