At the beginning of the year, we already knew which designer bags were going to dominate in 2020. How did we predict correctly? Well, it’s a lot more than just guesswork. We spend time speaking to brands and buyers and looking at what’s trending in the fashion industry to see which bags are going to come out on top during the year. Of course, cult buys and new brands can emerge at any moment, surprising even the most seasoned of fashion buyers and editors, but there are certain new styles that I guarantee we’ll be talking about as hero buys this December.
That said, we didn’t know the pandemic was coming and the financial implications of that on the fashion industry and personal budgets. However, despite this, global fashion search platform Lyst revealed just yesterday in its roundup of the most popular brands of the year so far that the likes of Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Prada and more appear in the top 10.
So which totes have made an impact on the year so far? There’s Chanel’s 19 that just might become as iconic as the legendary 2.55 bag, and Bottega Veneta is set to have a year just as golden as the last. Every buyer I spoke to told me they just can’t order enough Bottega bags. There’s also Katie Holmes’s favourite label Khaite, which has released a practical tote that makes teeny-tiny mini bags look sillier than ever.
A mood we are seeing across the fashion world for autumn/winter 2020 is a desire for classic, timeless pieces, and fashion houses such as Gucci and Celine are definitely applying this approach to their accessory departments, delving through the archive to create handbags that will be just as loved in 2020 as they would in 1950. Keep scrolling to see the biggest handbags from Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and more this year so far.
The Chanel 19 bag might be named after 2019, as it was launched at the end of last year, but we’ve seen it flourish in 2020. The quilted bag is a reimagined version of the house’s classic 2.55 bag, but the 19 has a really chunky chain strap.
Bottega Veneta was arguably the most influential brand when it comes to accessories in 2019, and this is certain to continue this year. It’s hard to pick one style that will be the most impactful, but we love the woven look of the Jodie.
Alexander McQueen released the Story bag at the beginning of December 2019, and the crossbody has already had quite the celebrity endorsement. It’s recently been spotted on Kaia Gerber and Selena Gomez.
Another classic Dior bag to add to the collection. This time, it’s the Bobby bag—a crossbody style that is the perfect everyday tote.
The Banana Bag first appeared as part of The Row’s S/S 19 collection and has quickly become a favourite with influencers and celebrities. It continues to sell out in 2020 as well.
The Gucci 1955 Horsebit bag is destined to be a modern classic, as the new addition has already been spotted on so many influencers. It has a real vintage feel thanks to the gold clasp, classic silhouette and use of the house’s signature logo print.
Khaite is quickly transitioning from a new label to a power player (this is the designer behind that Katie Holmes knitted cardigan-and-bra set), and for 2020, its handbags will be getting a lot of attention. This is a new addition for Khaite, and the circle leather tote bags are already getting an impressive reception.
Originally released in 2005, Prada’s Re-Edition Nylon and Saffiano Leather Mini-Bag taps into our collective obsession with nostalgia.
The Triomphe is a new bag bearing the original Céline logo created by founder Céline Vipiana in 1971 and is a style that has already been spotted on countless celebs, including Angelina Jolie and Lucy Boynton. The only bad news here is you’ll have to sign up to the waiting list, as the style keeps selling out.
Designed to mimic the shape of Chloé’s iconic padlock hardware, the Aby Cross-Body Bag has already garnered the attention of It-girl influencers including Aimee Song.
Launched in the middle of 2020, the Jackie bag—an update of the original—now comes in gorgeous pastel colours and in the iconic Gucci print.
This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
