When I was first getting into designer bags in the early 2000s, designer bags were all the rage. All the most successful brands had monogram prints, and more often than not, their most popular bags were made out of those logo textiles. Then the It Bag era dawned, and things started to change.
As interest in designer bags grew, customers started searching for bags that were more discreet and subtle in an attempt to maintain their feeling of exclusivity (as fashion trains us all to do, for better or worse). Brands like Céline flourished while Louis Vuitton had to retool years after industry watchers thought they had all but won the handbag game. Now, though, you get the sense that the pendulum might be ready to swing back in the other direction, as it always does.
Where brands were once going to lengths to hide their logos in hardware engraving or small gold stamps, they’ve now started enlarging things quite a bit. While monogram print fabrics only appear to be a little more popular than they have been in the recent past, large single-logo bags are popping up left and right.
It’s not a coincidence that most of these bags occupy the space at the low end of any given designer’s price spectrum; they’re designed to entice aspirational customers who are eager to telegraph wealth and success to those around them. Although a lot of these designs are also fueled by a logo nostalgia that’s affected many parts of the industry over the past few seasons, bags have largely resisted that wave–until now. Because high-end accessories customers have been largely resistant to their comeback, it remains to be seen whether this trend will take substantial root.
Check out the best examples of the trend we found below, and let us know in the comments if you’re ready for another era of conspicuous logos.
Balenciaga Cabas M Canvas Tote
$865 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Chanel Large Toile Logo Shopping Tote
$2,600 via Chanel
DKNY Medium Logo Shopper Tote
$165 via ShopBop
Giuseppe Zanotti Logo Plaque Shoulder Bag
$1,065 via farfetch.com
Gucci Soho Leather Shoulder Bag
$2,600 via Gucci
Kenzo Bicolor Canvas Tote
$199 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Loewe Leather Shopper Tote
$1,395 via Net-a-Porter
Louis Vuitton Vernis Alma BB Bag
$1,820 via Louis Vuitton
MCM Drawstring Mini Bag
$785 via ShopBop
Moschino Logo Charm Mini Bucket Bag
$1,095 via LUISAVIAROMA
Prada Canvas Mini Logo Tote
$695 via Bergdorf Goodman
Saint Laurent Cassandre Mini Suede bag
$1,890 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Tory Burch Mini Jessica Leather Tote
$435 via Nordstrom
Valentino V Logo Crossbody Bag
$1,975 via Bergdorf Goodman
Would never consider buying any of these options or anything similar -no logos or monogram prints for me, ever…
I prefer a bag with a no-letter logo – say Mulberry or Longchamp – over any other option. Monogram bags are a HUGE no-no.
The only mono/logo bag I own is my 1st Guess from 10 yrs back. I’m not going to sell it but rarely use it either, despite the fact that the bag is light beige and the logo print is white; I just have no need to shout out what my bag is, who made it and then have everyone think it’s fake. ‘Cos that’s what they do when they see a chubby girl in jeans, sneakers and carrying a Mulberry bag… 😀
Agree! While there are some who may choose no logo bags for their trendiness, I think the majority are people who prefer an understated aesthetic. I certainly still see far more logo/monogram bags than discreet ones. I don’t think they were ever so much out of style, but simply not the preference of some buyers.
Someone said ‘It ain’t YSL without Yves” … and it kind of stayed with me.
Aint Laurent without Yves. Pun is Saint/Aint.
Thank you!!!! That’s the line my mushy brains could not get straight.
I’m ready for the return of the logo, but would not purchase any of these particular bags.
preach
I like a logo bag…….It’s nice to have options……..some with and some without.
There’s some logo bags I like but I don’t like any of these. I kind of like the Alma but not in the color you showed.
The Alma is very attractive in the Damier Ebene print. But I agree, this one in patent leather, not so much….
I might wear something with a logo but I’m pretty picky about how it should look. The more recognizable logo prints scream “look at me!” to pickpockets where I’m from. Also, I like how people notice my bags are quality but only pinpoint the brand if they really pay attention. It’s like keeping a juicy secret to myself. 🙂
Um I usually agree with you on trends etc. but all of the bags shown here (except perhaps the loewe and valentino) have been around for at least a couple of years. Looking at them in a group like this does not a trend make.
Some of these are new versions of old bags that we’ve seen slowly gain momentum over a couple of seasons (the YSLs, etc.), but seven of the 14 are new for either this season or the previous one, or reissued because of new interest (the Chanel).
I actually like most of the bags pictured with exception of the Tory Burch. For some reason that one’s bothering me. Most of these look fun like the Moshino and something that I would use as a work bag like the Balenciaga and Kenzo totes. They are not very functional without a shoulder strap. The Zanotti one is my favorite.
Love the blue Valentino and the red Gucci!
None of these bags are appealing. Give me a logo free bag any day.
I don’t think the bags pictured above create the best case for logo bags versace tom ford and even LV have done some really great logo bags recently that still can be considered chic.
Some of them look like they should come as a free gift with a perfume purchase. ????
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