Prada

For Fall 2018, Prada’s Bags Feel Youthful and Fun

We took a bunch of the brand's newest accessories out for a spin

Every established luxury brand in the world has in front of it, at this moment, both a problem and an opportunity: the next generation of high-end shoppers is becoming secure enough in their finances to be a force to be reckoned with in the industry, and like any generation, they want slightly different things and have slightly different expectations than those who came before them. Millennials are shaping up into a group that prizes simplicity, usability and irreverence in their luxury goods, and they want distinctive bags and accessories that telegraph plenty of personality. Every brand will have to find its own way to incorporate the challenge of this new market into its designs, but it’s clear from the Prada Fall 2018 runway bags that they’ve chosen to meet the opportunity head-on.

Prada Large Canvas Tote with Logo, $1,350 via Prada.com

Prada’s Fall 2018 collection, which is arriving in stores and online now, is bold, graphic, and far more functional than you’d imagine for bags that feel genuinely fun. Prada sent us a selection of the runway line to try out and photograph, as well as some of the brand’s ultra-trendy angular sunglasses and a versatile button-down, and we had a great time test driving it all.

Prada Large Canvas Tote with Logo, $1,350 via Prada.com

The bags can be split into two categories: a series of simple, spacious canvas totes with leather accents, as well as minimalist top handle bags in two sizes. Both types of bags feature prominent Prada branding, but in different ways. The totes use quirky, sometimes animal-themed prints to let you know they’re far from average, while the top handles feature a stylized, retro-modern logo that fits well with the super-branded look of the season.

Prada Large Canvas Tote with Logo, $1,350 via Prada.com

The totes in particular stand out because of how useful they’d be to have in your closet. Almost everyone, no matter your age or your average daily activities, finds plenty of opportunities for a roomy, lightweight tote in a material like canvas, which will stand up to the type and frequency of use that such a handy bag will get. You could use it to carry your grad school laptop, your beach essentials, or all the supplies necessary for your daughter’s soccer game. The simple tote shape and the fun graphics strike just the right balance of work and fun. All of the canvas totes are $1,350 via Prada.

Prada Large Canvas Tote with Logo, $1,350 via Prada.com

The top handles, on the other hand, bring a futuristic feel to one of the most traditionally feminine day bag structures. They’re devoid of preciousness and not at all girly; instead, they feel almost industrial, with some small aesthetic cues from traditional workwear. The two sizes lend themselves to different uses, with the smaller one making for an unexpected and modern option for a night out, if you’re not the daytime mini bag type.

Prada Mini Bags, available via Prada.com

Overall, the bags—as well as the sharp sunglasses and ultra-modern take on the traditional button-down—feel youthful and forward-thinking, but without sacrificing the sophistication shoppers expect from luxury brands. You can shop these pieces and more via Prada.

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