As we say goodbye to our brattiest summers and enter demure girl fall, there’s no time like the present to add the chic appeal of a ladylike top handle to your autumnal wardrobe. Designers are indulging us this season with an array of options to pine over, but if you’re anything like me, you also want your bag to have a bit of an edge too.
Few of the season’s offerings combine that ladylike appeal with the hint of edge that I crave quite like the Celine Garance. The bag’s structured silhouette and short strap lend well to channeling your inner demure, but the patent leather finish adds a hint of cool.
That distinct juxtaposition is what initially drew me to the Garance when Celine presented its Winter 2024 collection, dubbed La Collection De L’Arc De Triomphe. Then Lady Gaga wore the Garance during her tour de Olympics this summer in bicolor patent, and I was immediately obsessed.
Classic Triomphe Meets Chic Patent
Celine’s storied Triomphe Logo is one I will forever remain a fan of, and I’ve said it many times; a logo tells so much of a brand’s story and heritage. The Triomphe does just that for Celine, and the Garance checks that box for me, along with many others.
I’ve been most drawn to the shape of a shoulder bag that sits neatly tucked under the arm in the last few years, and I love that the Garance offers that option and the ability to hand carry it.
The Garance offers a roomy interior with the same space, interior compartments, and size as the Triomphe Shoulder Bag (7″ x 5″ x 3″). It comfortably fits your iPhone, a cardcase, sunglasses in a microfiber pouch, a keyring, and lipstick.
Patent leather has been having a bit of a renaissance in the last few seasons, and for good reason—it’s a surefire way to look chic. While the Garance is offered in black and bicolor black and white, the dark brown version is the one that I keep coming back to. It’s the perfect hue for fall. Purchase via 24S for $4,100.
all images courtesy of Celine
It looks like every other bag on the market.
Mixed feeling with the strap, the bag is pretty, but the long kinda awkward strap???
I agree. There are quite a few bags out with this length strap (like Alaia Le Teckel). Pretty bags but the strap length is awkward. It doesn’t tuck under the arm nicely and is too long to be handheld or go in the elbow.
The odd length strap makes it a pass for me. I also don’t like that the strap is on the flap as opposed to the sides.
This bag is small, smaller even than my Gucci Blondie (aka Disco) and Polene Nodde. There’s not much that can go in it. And I can’t see anything in the level of materials or craftmanship that justifies a price tag of over $4000. I like Celine and many other premium designers and have a fair number of products from them — but I’m not throwing thousands away for something that isn’t all that special.