The It-bag hit its peak in the late 2000s and very early 2010s, and few bags helped define what exactly makes up an It-bag like the Balenciaga Le City. Fast forward to the 2020s, with many declaring that the It-bag is dead, and it’s rare that a bag comes along and feels like it has the potential to live up to the early aughts’ most popular bags.
Then came the Balenciaga Rodeo Bag, making its debut for the Spring/Summer 2024 season. The Rodeo bag was one of those rare debuts that immediately felt like it had, well, It.
A Modern Day Icon
Its relaxed grab-and-go silhouette offers just the right amount of slouch, and in true It-bag fashion, it oozes an effortlessly cool vibe—the exact aura that the It-girls of today so effortlessly possess. The thing about the Rodeo that keeps us coming back is that it is oh-so reminiscent of the Balenciaga of the early aughts, yet it feels modern and new just the same.
A welcome change from the logo-heavy Balenciaga collections of the late 2010s and early 2020s, the Rodeo encompasses both old and new Balenciaga all wrapped into one lust-worthy package. Solidifying the bag’s star power is its name, Rodeo, after LA’s Famed Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
The Next Big Thing
The Rodeo has been spotted on stars like Hailey Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, Naomi Watts, Vittoria Ceretti, and more. On social media and even on TPF, the Rodeo bag has a growing list of fans, and its popularity shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.
The Rodeo’s early buzz gave it an initial boost, but it’s proving to have short-term staying power as its line-up expands. Plus, unlike Demna Gvasalia’s earlier designs, which were strictly geared towards millennials and logo lovers, the relaxed but still chic Rodeo has the power to resonate with a wider consumer base.
While only time will reveal if this bag has the staying power to become a potential classic, its current popularity cannot be denied. Every time I see one IRL (it’s been happening more and more), I fall further for the Rodeo, and it jumps up a few notches on my want list. I just keep coming back to the Balenciaga Rodeo bag and truly feel like this bag has long-term staying power. What do you think?
This brand and designer was dead to me the day they included children in their campaign inappropriately
I owned one. Awful quality
i bought one and returned it. i thought the same thing. It did not seem sewn well.
I got a mini rodeo a couple months ago. I absolutely love it. It is a bit stiff at first, but the more you use it and break it in the more it conforms to your body. Amazing bag and easy to keep your things inside organized.
I don’t think it will become a classic. There is so much about the City that makes it so special. I think the Rodeo is a very exciting bag and I would actually love to own one. But it is very of the moment imo. It will be more of a legend than a classic I think.
Balencicaca is at again! First the knock off birkin now this slouchy Kelly knock off. Way to stick to the house codes and DNA
I actually have more respect for brands to stick with their strengths and classics. This is not it. You don’t see Hermes making potato chip bags and hour glass/biker bags
I really liked the shape of this bag. The slouchiness and the double flap. But when i tried it out in person, the leather quality gave me pause. Thought it was not as supple as it should be. A bit too shiny. I dunno…nice bag, but didnt want to shell out that kind of money for it
Not it.