Last fall, I mused whether or not the multi-bag trend was on its way out. Almost a year later, I’m coming back to this question with what I feel is a solid answer because I was recently asked this question by a friend looking for advice on a handbag purchase.
What did I tell her?
Multi bags, as we’ve known (and loved) them, are past peak popularity four years after bursting onto the scene. Will they ever disappear completely? Possibly not. But going forward, they won’t be nearly as ubiquitous as they once were.
Let’s discuss!
Fashion is Fickle
Defined but its multiple compartments, often including a strap with a coin purse, two styles were top of mind for handbag lovers looking to buy into the trend. Of course, there was the one that started it all, Louis Vuitton’s Multi Pochette Accessories, but the Prada Nylon Re-Edition was also a must-have for collectors.
The popularity of the Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette Accessories was truly unmatched. The bag sold out time and time again despite its ever-increasing price, amassing huge waitlists in boutiques, and skyrocketing prices on the resale market too. Quickly, it was spotted on stars like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber and more.
Past Prime
It rose to the top quickly, and its popularity left me feeling nostalgic for the days of the It-Bag era. Still, any fashion lover knows that trends are fickle. They can come and go in the blink of an eye in the form of a micro trend, or they can follow a longer trend cycle like the multi-bag trend has. By 2021 and early on into 2022, the trend had definitely reached its peak and by the end of 2022, we were seeing less of the Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette and other bags of its kind worn during fashion month.
Now, a year later, I personally am no longer spotting the Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette on the streets of NYC (also, it’s important to note that it’s readily available for purchase on Louis Vuitton.com). The Prada Nylon does pop up a little bit, but in the past few months, I’ve mostly seen it worn separately, carried via its chain strap versus worn in true multi-bag fashion. Still, I told my friend what I’d tell anyone looking to purchase one of these styles. Yes, trends come and go, but style is forever, and there really is no better time to lean into what it is that you love and not worry about what’s trending.
So, while yes, we are seeing a lot less of the multi-bag trend, and it has definitely past its peak, if you like it, go for it!
Editor’s Note from Megs: Fashion trends vary by location and while Kaitlin has reported seeing the multi-pouches less, it still is a bag I see at least once every time I am out shooting content for bags in the wild. Similarly to what Kaitlin shared, the Prada Re-Edition 2005 seems to be what I see more of and for me feels more timeless, but the Louis Vuitton version is still carried and spotted fairly often as well.
