Gucci Ancora, the brand’s Spring 2024 collection, marks a new chapter for the House of Gucci. Designed by Sabato De Sarno, Gucci’s new creative director, Ancora is undeniably different from the Gucci fans were used to under De Sarno’s predecessor, but in a really good way. It is fresh while still offering up an air of classic Gucci.
When it comes to the bags, there is an undeniable element of modernity, with a touch of classic appeal. Debuting with Gucci Ancora this season and first seen on the Spring/Summer 2024 runway, the Gucci Luce Bag is one of the first new bag designs under Sabato De Sarno’s reign.
The Luce refreshes a House classic: GG Supreme, offering a chic, elevated feel. Luce, which translates to light in Italian, is also the name of Sabato’s dachshund—a tidbit that makes me love this bag even more, but it’s certainly not the only reason I adore it. This is the first Gucci bag I’ve owned in a few years, and I cannot get enough. Full details are below!
Aesthetics
The moment the first bags of Ancora hit the runway, I knew that Gucci through Sabato De Sarno’s lens was the Gucci for me. I love the combination of contemporary meets vintage, and the Luce Shoulder bag oozes that exact appeal.
Many of us worry about buying a bag that will quickly feel dated or easily be tied to a specific time in fashion. However, that is a non-issue with the Luce, which has that archival touch, allowing the shape to feel timeless even though it is entirely new.
Speaking of the archives, the GG canvas is one of the House’s most important motifs, and the long baguette-like body of the Luce perfectly complements the storied pattern. While there are two color options offering the classic Gucci vibe, I prefer the beige and brown canvas trimmed with dark chocolate brown leather to the navy version.
What I love about a logo bag is that it’s a statement maker all on its own, but I also love that it can easily be dressed up or dressed down, and the Luce bag can do both. I’ve already worn this bag for both day and night, and I love the look, no matter how styled.
Usability + Functionality
The Luce comes in two sizes—small and medium, with my version being the smaller size (and the size that’s really just right for me.) I’ve often said how I’ve pared down what I carry out and about over the last decade or so, and that hasn’t changed.
I need enough room for a small wallet or card case, my phone, sunglasses, a couple of lip balms, headphones, and keys. The bag’s interior offers plenty of space for my needs, and its elongated shape makes it fairly versatile in what you can carry, depending on how you organize your things.
There’s also an interior zipped pocket, which, truthfully, I’d only use for thin items like a coat check ticket or business cards (truthfully, a chapstick or something else of the sort is too bulky to sit in the pocket).
The Luce bag sits really nicely on the shoulder and doesn’t slide around at all, thanks to the fabric green and red Gucci Web shoulder strap. While I find this bag fairly useable, it’s not one of those bags you can easily get in and out of on the go, which is why it only gets 3 stars from me.
The turn-lock flap opens and closes easily enough, but it is difficult to do while on the shoulder, which is something to be mindful of.
Quality + Construction
My job allows me to see, touch, feel, and even use a lot (and I mean A LOT) of bags, and Gucci’s quality is truly top-notch. The beige and ebony GG canvas is created on a loom, and when you look closely, you can see intricacies within the Monogram.
Trimmed in dark brown leather with a very slight sheen, each stitch is perfectly finished, and I don’t have a complaint about the bag’s quality. However, I did tick off a half star as the bag is made of fabric, naturally making it more delicate.
As I mentioned above, this is the first Gucci bag I’ve owned in quite a while, with my last two being from previous designers, and while Gucci itself has changed drastically, its attention to detail and craft has remained.
Price + Value
Regarding price, it’s becoming an increasingly difficult category to rate. Designer bag prices continue to rise, becoming almost astronomical, making it hard to make sense of.
While this bag is beautiful, there’s no doubt about that; it’s priced just above the $3K mark for the small, clocking in at $3,200, which some may argue is a bit steep for a fabric bag.
Still, the overall quality warrants its designer price tag, and because it’s a runway bag, I also think the price point is a bit more justifiable. Considering the cost per wear (and I truly think this bag can be worn a ton), the Luce holds a lot of value.
Long-Term Relevance
This bag is one of those rare bags that instantly feels like a classic, and that’s in large part thanks to its GG Supreme Canvas body. Besides its classic monogram print, there’s also the Gucci Web shoulder strap, which adds to the bag’s truly timeless appeal.
However, this bag is still a new shape entirely for the House and also one of Sabato’s first designs for Gucci, which makes it hard to give the Luce a full 5 stars, though truthfully, I really wanted to because it does instantly feel like it will remain a classic Gucci bag.
Overall Rating
I was immediately smitten with the Gucci Luce Shoulder bag the minute it hit the runway (along with the entirety of the Ancora collection), and I love that it marks this new era of Gucci.
There is something that feels special to me about owning not only one of Sabato De Sarno’s debut shapes for Gucci but also a bag that feels like I’m holding a part of Gucci’s history in my hands.
Offering that ideal balance of modern yet classic, with a timeless appeal that will remain regardless of the brand’s direction, the Gucci Luce is a bag that will quickly become a beloved addition to your collection.
Purchase the Gucci Luce Shoulder Bag for $3,200 via Gucci.com and discover the full Ancora collection now.
It is really shady not to disclose up front that the bag was gifted to you by the brand. It might not technically run afoul of FTC rules, but it immediately turns me off from considering the product when sites pull this trick.
Very true – disclosures are important – also the monogram looks better in bigger size bags – this looks like a glorified toiletry pouch
I will add a block to disclose the gifting towards the beginning of the articles going forward.
To comment on the value of a bag when you didn’t actually buy the bag doesn’t seem to be a good practice. Shelling out your own cash is the only way to truly measure the value. Earning the money and deciding what makes financial sense. Banking, investing, paying down debt or throwing it away on a bag that will not retain its value. I think it’s an outright joke that you described spending 3200 on a small bag as justifiable when you didn’t spend anything. Why are you promoting prices that are obviously not a good value for anyone but the brand? You shouldn’t be commenting on price at all beyond stating what it is. If anyone pays 3200 for this canvas bag you need your head examined. Brands are full-on taking advantage of the consumer.
“Having your head examined” could be said for anyone that buys designer bags; yourself included? There is no real justification for anyone spending thousands on a designer bag, but we like what we like, earn the money to pay for it & there will be critics, right or wrong, who chastise people for spending this type of money. Everyone has their vices including shoes, clothes, trips, cars, entertainment, jewelry, etc. and I don’t necessarily understand it, but I’m never going to speak ill of them because they are spending their money differently than I would. Furthermore, it’s simply not my business how anyone spends their money because well, it is their money.
We’ve reviewed countless bags on PurseBlog, both Megs and myself. Some are samples that are returned to the brand, a limited few are gifted and others are bags we’ve purchased ourselves. Regardless, my opinion and review is always honest. Unlike a traditional influencer you see online, a majority of the luxury items I own are purchased with my own money which absolutely gives me a good perspective to comment on price and value.
While your opinion may be honest – maybe add a big disclosure next to your opinion – this was a rental, this was a gift, this was an actual purchase- transparency is honesty
One the one hand, you use qualifying words like “limited few,” “majority,” and, on the other hand, you want to be unequivocal and rely on words like “always” and “absolutely.” If you haven’t done something 100% of the time, then how can you be always and absolutely sure? No one is immune to unconscious bias (or favoritism) and subconscious blind spots.
I agree that based on your history and tenure, you are qualified to speak on the subject without having to purchase every single item. Your experience reasonably/suitably/appropriately/fittingly, but not absolutely, gives you a good (objective/balanced) perspective. Most readers view you as a reliable source, and you don’t want to cast a shadow of a doubt by taking positions that may be characterized as specious.
I might come across as pedantic. For most part, I understood what you were trying to say. If you hadn’t included the word “absolutely,” I most likely would have kept on driving. However, as the author of the piece, you should show the same care to diction and logic in the comments that you would in the main article.
As for the article itself, it is rather benign. But the last paragraph does read like an ad copy trying to convince consumers to buy the bag.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in a well-thought-out and constructive manner. The only way for us to grow is to hear these comments, both positive and negative.
We’ve learned a lot from this post and the post where I asked about gifting, which was published last week. I always want to learn and grow.
I see what you are saying. When gifted an item, we are far more likely to post about it positively than negatively. I believe what Kaitlin meant here is that because she was given a few options, she could pick a bag that spoke to her and resonated with her.
The other factor I touched on with others above is how little Kaitlin has been gifted in her 7 years working here. She maintains our editorial calendar and ensures up to 3 posts go live every weekday. It’s a LOT of bag/accessory-related content. How this post read was as someone who talks bags day in and day out and was thrilled to get this perk of a bag she personally likes and was able to share.
Thank you again for sharing constructively so we can do better!
Hi Kaitlyn,
having read many of your recent blog posts your purchases felt very well thought out and intentional and your aesthetic measured and curated. Then seeing this post on your Gucci purchase was surprising as it wasn’t even mentioned as being on the radar of your desired bags or aesthetic (away from logo in general). Can you describe your thought process on selecting this bag from all lusted after bags for purchase? or was this a brand promotion freebie that you are trying very hard to sell? the review felt disingenuous to me.
Hi!
This bag was gifted to me, but it was one I chose. I’ve been eyeing the crystal monogramed Jackie for a while but I wanted a piece from Sabato De Sarno’s first collection which we’ve been covering on site. The classic monogram logo spoke to me as I own a few other monogram pieces (LV, Dior and Celine) and it felt timeless and a bit more transitional than the Jackie. I’m happy to do a reveal of my full collection on site – it’s pretty eclectic!
Designer bags seem to be shrinking in size but the price keeps going up. $3K is a bit much for canvas, not even leather!
Same here. That was my budget 10yrs ago for a leather bag. Now i have to double it so that i can still have plenty of options.
Maybe you re not the target audience?
You’re right, this bag doesn’t feel like it’s worth the money to me but someone else might. To each their own
I like this bag. It’s basic but classic in shape and the gucci logo canvas ain’t going anywhere.
I think this bag is gorgeous
I’m glad it’s since been disclosed that the bag was a gift since sometimes readers can feel like products are being “pushed” on them (all the time) to purchase things that influencers receive for free. It can feel like a marketing ploy. That said, some of the comments seem so mean-spirited, personal, & a bit beyond the scope of showing disdain.
We all have our vices. Whether or not I buy a bag relies, somewhat, on the views of others. But primarily it relies on whether I want it or if I want to pay for it. I don’t believe influencers are mind-controllers anymore than the readers are robots who are mindless; unable to make decisions for themselves.
I think I just want to come to your defense, that’s all. I just don’t think your misstep was anything other than benign (not nefarious) IMHO.
Kaitlin works incredibly hard to manage the editorial on the site – it is not easy to have three different bag-centric topics go live 5 days a week! I haven’t been able to publish as much as I used to as I work with the brands on everything we cover for them – from campaigns to press releases to coverage to everything in between.
The perk of all of the coverage we give to a brand may lead to the brand gifting at times – and this is the very first Gucci bag Kaitlin was ever gifted (and has) and she picked it! She is truly excited about it, hence the gushing.
Our job is to share bag-related news with you all and do our best to give you as much information as possible to help you make a purchase. We are all biased in our own ways. I am a Prada girl, because it was my first designer bag I ever owned. Not everyone will share that sentiment.
Thank you for your kind words and support!
Nice bag! I’m not usually a fan of the canvas – have maybe seen too many knockoffs – but this looks nice on you and also classic! Good pick.
I adore this bag! It is “old school” elegant Gucci! I agree that this bag is timeless. I am sad about two things-the price, and that it’s a limited edition due to being a runway piece. If it were priced more around $2,800, I’d be more likely to purchase.
I completely agree about it feeling old school elegant Gucci. While at the Manhattan Vintage Show earlier this year I almost pulled the trigger on a bag from the 90s and it had this same vibe! I truly feel the Luce is both modern and classic at the same time. It feels timeless even though it’s brand new.
This quite uncomfortably gushy review, pretentious “my Gucci Luce shoulder bag” combined with later revelations that this seriously overpriced little bag was gifted by Gucci will save me the time of ever again reading reviews by Kaitlin. The downside is that I feel a fool for previously having read her articles.
As someone who just purchased this bag with my own money, I can tell you that her review is very accurate. It’s a wonderful bag – overpriced, maybe – but that didn’t stop me from getting it.
You are entitled to your opinion, but I don’t think it’s a fair assessment and doesn’t consider most posts written by Kaitlin.
As I shared to another comment, this is the first and only Gucci bag Kaitlin has been gifted. When it comes to gifting, as I founded the site and have run it from day one, the majority of those gifting perks come to me, not Kaitlin.
She was thrilled to get a bag from Gucci, and she should be! It is exciting for her. Her review read as excited because, well, she was excited!
Every single sponsored article here has always been marked as sponsored, and this was not sponsored. After receiving the gift, Kaitlin shared the bag with an in-depth review. Moving forward, any gifted bag will be marked with a gifted tag, and I completely agree with that assessment and should have had it in place for us previously.
As far as transparency goes – our site is one of the most transparent. I can assure you of that because I work in this industry and I know how it is run. I know who is paid for posting gifts, how often they are gifted, how often they don’t share a post is sponsored, how many perks they get that go far beyond a material item. It is their prerogative to handle it how they would like, but there are rules in place. The rule that we must disclose if something is sponsored has always been followed here. But we will make the change to add anything gifted as well.
I can see that this irritated you, but I just want to share a different perspective. This is the site that I started and run to this day.
I get what you’re saying but the bag actually looks really cute on her. If I got it offered for free I’d take it too. All bags are seriously overpriced and we will see where this pricing experiment actually takes us. I went to Celine the other week and asked about the price on one item which felt like $1000 max (small fabric inside, not terribly sophisticated construction) and was told it’s over $4000. Almost felt like saying – where did the other $3k go? Lol
But how do you pronounce’Luce?’ Haha
Loochay
I think the bag looks great! So this was a gift, good for you! I am certain gift or not I would be able to decide without prejudice if I actually like it!
Thank you so much, it’s very chic! I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it already, been wearing it a lot!
Can a strap be added to make this a crossbody?
It doesn’t come with a crossbody strap, but the strap unhooks completely so you could swap it out for a longer strap.
Well, I liked it enough to purchase the blue version, online. I was informed that since it’s a runway piece they are limited, which is nice.
Enjoy your new bag! I’ve been using mine non stop since it arrived!
So much hate for a bag review because the gift ir rent or whatever was not disclosed seems envious to me, if you cant justify spending the money thats fine but villainizing someone because they want to spend it or because they reviewed it screams “envious” you mlm babes need to grow up.
It’s a nice bag, don’t see it going out of style anytime soon. I agree with you about the classic vibe. The price was a bit shocking. It fills the same niche, IMO, as LV’s Sac Marceau — which is a few to several hundred euros cheaper. TBH, I think I like the Marceau a bit better too in both its leather and monogram options.
However, the only thing that I actively dislike about the Luce is the canvas shoulder strap. Canvas straps are simply a turn off for me. I know those canvas straps are a Gucci “thing”, but I’d still prefer leather.
so butifull