The number of handbags that I’d call true classics is relatively limited. The Hermès Birkin and Kelly fit the bill, of course, as do the Chanel Classic Flap and Gucci Bamboo Bags and staples like the Louis Vuitton Speedy and Noé. All of those bags have been around for decades, though; what’s next?
We don’t have any firm answers to that question, of course, but we’re in a pretty good period for potentially classic bags right now–designs that have been around for a few seasons and have proved popular with consumers, but that aren’t so aggressively 2015-looking that they will soon feel dated. We talked it over in the office, and the results are the bags below, alongside our rationale for why they might make it for the long haul. Let us know which one you believe will last forever, as well as which bags we missed, in the comments.
Céline Classic Box Bag
$3,900 via Céline Boutiques
This bag has the word “classic” right there in the name, and that’s hardly the only indicator that it could go on to be appreciated by future generations. Luxurious, elegant and walks the line between “discreet” and “distinct” like a champ.
Chanel Boy Bag
$7,000 via Chanel Boutiques
Chanel built this bag in the image of a proven classic with the intent of appealing to a younger customer base, and it’s been a resounding success. Only time will tell, but the Boy Bag’s bones are strong.
Christian Dior Diorissimo Bag
Available via Dior Boutiques
The Diorissimo is a softer, more casual extension of the ideas that have long worked well in the Lady Dior, and as commercial fashion becomes more about wearable, everyday clothes, the Diorissimo is likely to weather the tests of time well.
Fendi Peekaboo Bag
$3,450 via Bergdorf Goodman
With the Peekaboo, Fendi has done something curious: brought a recent design back from the dead for a second tour through the spotlight. I can think of no other brand that’s been able to do that in recent memory (lord knows that Chloé really wanted it to happen for the Paddington), and the fact that the Peekaboo’s second act was so easily successful bodes well for the design’s long-term staying power.
Givenchy Antigona Bag
$2,435 via Bergdorf Goodman
Like many of these bags, the Antigona carefully toes the line between subtle and notable. Its popularity has been strong for years now, but it’s never quite hit the point of eye-rolling ubiquity that the Céline Luggage Tote (or the Chloé Paddington before it) did. In this case, that’s a good sign for the design’s potential longevity as a cool-girl staple.
Gucci Jackie Soft Shoulder Bag
$2,350 via Gucci
This new design owes its DNA to a long line of classic Jackie bags, but the particularly elegant finish of this latest generation has us hopeful for a full-on
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag
$625 via Barneys
This bag is primed for popularity over the long haul. The brand manufactures in small batches in a single Italian factory, the design is spare and classic and the bag itself is functional–roomy and light as a feather.
Prada Saffiano Double Zip Tote
$2,500 via Bergdorf Goodman
Really, this could be any of Prada’s saffiano totes; they’ve all become part of the Successful Working Woman Fashion Canon, and their longevity as such has been ensured by none other than TV’s most popular boardroom superstar, Olivia Pope.
Proenza Schouler PS1 Bag
$1,575 via Moda Operandi
The PS1 is a handbag feat that Proenza Schouler has yet to top. The bag is a perfect match to a particular kind of downtown cool girl, and the bag looks to have transitioned fairly well from it’s super-popular heyday to the position of brand staple; that’s crucial if a bag is going to turn into a classic, and it’s the step at which most bags falter.
Saint Laurent Monogramme Mini Bag
$1,990 via Net-a-Porter
With a big, iconic logo, 70s-inspired tassel and teeny-tiny size, this bag has the potential to be the go-to choice of party girls for years to come. I can only imagine how much fun it would be to have one of these little bags passed down to me from the back of my mom’s closet on, say, my 21st birthday.
Valentino Lock Shoulder Bag
$2,345 via Neiman Marcus
The Rockstuds have had more longevity than I could have ever predicted, and probably more than Valentino ever dreamed. When the topic has come up among my other friends in fashion, there seems to be something of a consensus that the shoes in particular have already started to become classics; the mix of femininity and edge is just about perfect. If any of the bags make the jump, my money is on this sleek little shoulder bag.
What about the balenciaga city bag?
I thought the same questions. That one is a classic too.
I think Balenciaga City is an old classic along with the classic flap, Birkin, Kelly etc. It came out way before the bags featured above.
gucci really?
They have to include it. Gucci sponsors TPB
I don’t agree with the Celine, Gucci and Mansur Gavriel bags you chose. I don’t see them as the new classics but I might be wrong. I would add to the list the Balenciaga City, LV Alma and Neverfull or the Goyard St. Louis.
Def need the Balenciaga City. That bag has had over a decade of popularity. I think it is way too soon to say that the Mansur Gavriel bags will be a classic.
These are new classics – the Balenciaga City has been around for a decade, these bags are all newer and making a major impact.
I put Balenciaga in the same category as Hermes Birkin, LV Speedy, Chanel Classic Flap – it is newer than the others but still has held its position for a long time now!
I agree with others about the Balenciaga City, however, I also think the Celine Box and Diorissimo are well on their way to being classics. Even the prada Saffiano tote.
In my mind, the Balenciaga City is already a classic. More than a decade of popularity over a very fickle period for fashion is enough to get it that distinction. That’s why it wasn’t included! We were thinking more along the lines of what might make the jump in the future.
The Mansur Gavriel is really great and I’m obsessed with mine and at 1/10th of the chanel boy bag, definitely more affordable. But the Chanel boy bag, I can’t wait to have but it’s hard to justify the price.
P.S totally agree for the Balenciaga City!
I disagree about the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag. They’re cute bags(I preordered a mini mini from M’O) but the brand hasn’t established itself amongst some of these other persevering heavyweights. I think it’s way too early to tell. No Hermes or Goyard?
Most Hermes and Goyard bags are already classics! These are bags that we think might be destined to be classics one day. It’s too early to tell on all of them, but we looked in our crystal balls a bit and made some guesses.
I definitely see the boy bag having longevity.
I’d love to know why you guys chose to leave out the mini luggage or trapeze bags?
I think the luggage should still be here even if it is not as popular as before. It did reach its peak but it is still as iconic as it used to be. Probably a better choice than the others on this list. The Paddington is a different story. Similar to the Neverfull and Goyard St. Louis–not as popular as they used to be, but still iconic in recognition.
I think that both of those bags had such a saturated peak in popularity that it will probably prevent them from having longevity over the long haul; the same thing happened to the Chloé Paddington. When a design becomes too closely tied to a particular moment or era, that can hurt its future popularity. The bags that are likely to become classics are those that are popular but not quite ubiquitous.
They’re declining in popularity, I think.
I think the Prada saff totes and the Anitgona will attain classic status
I would have picked the Fendi Toujours over the peek-a-boo.
What about Saint Laurent Sac Du Jour???!!!?? That should be a classic more so than the antognia??
I don’t agree…the Antigona has remained and I believe will remain a extremely popular and dare I say iconic bag. The YSL of late are popular for a couple years and are gone (the Roady). Don’t get me wrong, I adore YSL, I just think the Antigona is perfection.
I have been so torn on the Antigona – I missed the first few years, then I thought the fade might fizzle. It looks like it is here to stay – I just need to find the right kind of black leather.
Love this article as I would totally invest in these bags since a majority of them are already on my wish list. The Box bag is simple and elegant and has been on the top of my wish list forever. The mini peekaboo is so adorable! I’ve been eyeing that Gucci Jackie should bag since it first came out. If you’ve noticed, I love a good hands-free crossbody bag that’s timeless. Great post!
Love Purseblog… help.. Fendi mini Peekaboo or By the Way?????
I think gucci bamboo daily leather flap shoulder bag is as gorgeous as the jackie soft… u think it would make it to the future list? What do you think is the major difference between the two?
I don’t really think of the Gucci or the Noe when I think classic.
I would say the Birkin, Kelly, Classic Flap, and Speedy are the classic bags.
I don’t know how long the Moynat Rejane has been around, but I think it should be a classic too…
Love moynat rejane
I see the Boy bag and the Prada. The others, not so much. Those two bags have not died down in popularity.
Agree. Boy bag and prada hands down
I agree with you girls!
Definitely the Chanel Boy bag! I could definitely see Proenza’s PS1, Fendi’s Peekaboo on the list too!
Amanda, what a line-up!!! I actually think they all have staying power . I have recently bought the Valentino lock in grey, with leather studs – it just goes with everything and never fails to get attention!!!! The lock is a little fiddly and I am particularly irked to see Furla have copied it down to the 2 skrews.
Agree that the Balenciaga City is ALREADY a classic. Which is why it’s not on this list.
The Celine Box Bag, I already think of it as a classic. Hasn’t it been around for ages? Apart from that, I think the Boy, the PS1, the Prada (really, any of the Saffiano totes, not just this particular one), and the Mansur Gavriel have the potential.
I agree with all of these except for the Celine box bag. Just think it is a pretty boring looking bag. Love the Boy Bag and Diorissimo! Wish they weren’t so expensive, but it is always nice to have something to put on my “dare to dream” list.
Oh yes to Givenchy’s Antigona!
I think the Prada Saffiano Lux Tote definitely is a classic! I like the Valentino, but it is too trendy for me, I would not invest this much money in a bag that is not timeless. That is also the reason why I stay away from the Alexander Wang Rocco. I think its nice and edgy, but simply to trendy. I will rather put my money towards an iconic piece from LV, Chanel, Prada etc.
Chanel forever!
Hey meg! can you guys do an edition of classic bags that every women need to invest in, without repeating a certain brand? So basically a purse from any brand that makes life long classic investment piece, ie. chanel classic flap
I would love to read this too!
Im not sure on the gucci choice.
i agree with a few earlier comments on the lv neverfull. If i had a dollar for every girl i saw worldwide carrying it i could easily afford several birkins.
I agree with all except for those in slides 3, 4 and 11. While I love the Fendi peekaboo bad, I wouldn’t classify the design as a classic or as a bag that will pass down through generations like an LV Speedy, Hermes Birkin does, or like the classic “ageless” Givenchy Antigona bag can. Same argument for the other two bags.
I’m happy the Peekaboo made the ranks, it’s design is so sleek and sweet , it’s timeless
I absolutely see the Chanel Boy Bag and Prada Double Zip becoming classics. And I think the Dior bag will be around a long while but with a few more tweeks than the other two to keep it fresh as the years pass.
While I REEEEEAALLY love the YSL, I don’t see it having enough uniqueness in its personality to stay around for decades. I think SL will come out with a different cute bag in the same size and move the brand forward. The MG bucket bag will definitely be seen as having its “moment” and fading. Same thing for the Rockstuds. I’m shocked they’ve lasted this long but I think they will seem very much a bag of the 2010 decade. Not a bad thing. But not a trend with lasting powered.
All lovely bags! Great article!
I think the main point here is looking at possible longevity of the bag, projecting into the future. if a bag was popular for a decade long but you can hardly find one today, you can name it a closet staple if you want but not a classic. can you still picture yourself carrying it in the next 10 years?
90% of the bags listed are trendy bags imo.
The Boy Bag and Prada Saffiano I think have long term appeal. I love the Valentino rockstud bag though.
Chloe Drew bag would definitely be a classic, its already a big success in all the 3 sizes!