Cute Shoulder Bags To Shop This Season
From Carrie’s favourite Fendi Baguette in And Just Like That to new brands like JW Pei and modern heroes like Jacquemus, the classic ‘90s shoulder bag has made its 2.0 return. We round-up the best, from preloved vintage icons to neutrals that work with just about everything to fun, colourful styles found on the high street.
If you take a look back at some of the most standout bag trends of the past two decades, you’ll see there have been some extremes. There were bags so big you could quite literally fit the kitchen in and bags so impossibly, so ridiculously small, you’d be lucky to squeeze in a bank card and lipstick. But one trend that has come full circle is the return of the late ‘90s / early noughties shoulder bag.
Modest in size but still practical, the shoulder bag, or “baguette” as they are often called, is the grab and go of accessories. Even the styles emblazoned with fashion houses’ monograms feel somewhat understated, as you sling them into the nook under your arm, they don’t become the key focus of your look in that showy way some designer bags can.
The style also works with so many different looks, from summer sundresses to slouchy tailoring, the world’s current obsession with Barbie-inspired fashion to lowkey sporty looks. Proof that this is one handbag that’s never going to go out of style…
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Logomania Bags
Fashion’s flirtation with all things late ‘90s and early noughties is set to stay and the logo bag has been a standout success story from the trend. From Gucci’s Jackie bag in logo print to Fendi’s iconic Baguette in a myriad of colourways – everything from classic tan and brown to Britney & Justin-worthy double denim – there are plenty to choose from.
It is perhaps the latter, Fendi’s Baguette – given its name due to the fact that it is to be worn slipped into the nook under your arm – that has been getting the most airtime on Instagram and TikTok. So many influencers from Lucy Williams to Emilie Sindlev have been spotted in different iterations of the cult classic, and whilst you can buy them new, searching for pre-loved earlier editions of the bag that launched in 1997 has become a bit of a fashion badge of honour. Be warned, even preloved Fendi bags are worth their weight in gold, sometimes priced near enough to the brand new price or more. Look to places like Vestiaire Collective, By Rotation (they don’t just do rental fashion) and Depop for vintage gems.
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Fendi’s iconic Baguette bag – given its name due to the fact that it is to be worn slipped into the nook under your arm – has gained the most airtime on socials, with influencers like Lucy Williams to Emilie Sindlev wearing new versions and preloved vintage finds of the style.
Everyday Neutrals
If your style errs more on the side of low-key, look to brands doing the shoulder bag in wearable, super versatile neutrals.
Names like affordable designer bag brand Manu Atelier definitely lean the trend into quiet luxury realms – we love their slimline off-white bag which is slightly toughened up with a trio of zips.
For something softer, Isabel Marant’s buttery tan Vigo Baguette bag is a great way to lean into the trend with a bit more of a bohemian vibe. Plus, this beauty will take us through to autumn dressing seamlessly – we’ll be pairing it with prairie dresses and cowboy boots now, before switching up to Daisy Jones and the Six-inspired florals and chunky knits come October.
On the high street, H&M, Mango and Stories all have a great selection of muted pieces at reasonable prices too.
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Playful & Fun
How good is Instagram favourite Jo-Ann Alari’s take on double denim? She takes the trend to new heights by pairing a jean-print maxi with JW Pei’s denim bag. Other options for a fun and colour-popping take on the shoulder bag include silver sequins from Stine Goya, tangerine checkerboards from M&S and rainbow raffia from Coach.
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