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 styles that will still be considered solid investments even at the end of 2020.
That said, we didn’t know the pandemic was coming and the financial implications of that on the fashion industry and personal budgets. But you can’t keep a good bag down. Case in point: global fashion search platform Lyst revealed that over the past few months the Telfar shopping bag has been at the top of the most-wanted items list. The tote beat the Marine Serre crescent moon stretch top (worn by Adele and Beyoncé) and the sold-out Prada to the top spot. Clearly, bags are still something we all care about, even when we’re not using them as much.
So which other handbags have made an impact on the year? 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 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 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.
Telfar is easily the coolest handbag brand you’ve (probably) never heard of. The eponymous label launched by Telfar Clemens has been a fashion industry must-have since its launch in 2014, but in 2020 the totes have been selling out almost as soon as they come in stock. Lyst, the global fashion search platform, revealed in September that it was the most sought-after handbag of the past few months.
This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
