Bottega Veneta’s 1998 Bag Finally Sold Me on the Frame Bag

Dating back to the 1800s, the frame bag was introduced at a time when women’s dress was vastly different. Clothing was far less casual than it is today, so it makes sense that a woman’s purse felt more elevated than the everyday carries of modern times.

The design was further popularized in the 20th century, with framed bags often carried by the wealthy and Hollywood’s elite. In all its structured glory, the frame bag remains one of the most feminine silhouettes in the handbag world.

The Frame Bag’s Enduring Appeal

Some bags ooze cool, while others ooze chic. Some scream sporty, while others feel anything but. When it comes to a bag’s overall aesthetic, certain characteristics and details often contribute to how it’s categorized.

And maybe that’s exactly why the frame bag feels like the girliest handbag silhouette in the game—it reminds us of another era. A time when going out meant dressing up, no matter the occasion.

A frame-topped bag’s structured silhouette and kiss-lock closure feel delicate and romantic. It’s dressy and sleek, but never overly fussy.

The type of girl who carries a frame bag is the type of girl I want to be. In my head, she’s chic no matter the time of day. She’s a lady who lunches, not a lady who lugs around everything but the kitchen sink. She’s fashionable but not trendy, giving off an air of effortless regality.

I’ve long admired the frame bag. From Phoebe Philo’s Celine-era iteration to one of Khaite’s earliest designs, it’s a shape that’s always intrigued me, but never one I felt would work in my wardrobe—until now.

A Softer Take on a Ladylike Classic

Enter, the Bottega Veneta 1998 Bag.

Louise Trotter’s Bottega Veneta melds the brand’s heritage craftsmanship with modern codes, and two runway seasons in, it continues to evolve. With the incredibly chic, ladylike appeal of a classic frame bag and Bottega Veneta’s iconic Intrecciato, the 1998 Bag feels like a nod to the brand’s earliest days, but never in a way that feels dated.

Paired back yet instantly recognizable as Bottega Veneta, the 1998’s soft woven leather adds a tactile, more relaxed appeal to the frame bag silhouette, making it ideal for both dressing up and dressing down—which is very much my vibe. Purchase via Bottega Veneta for $5,900.