I don’t know what it is about printed bags, but I seem to fall head over heels for them. In 2021, it was THAT boldly colored printed Classic Flap that became the most coveted item from the second drop of Fall/Winter 2021 (21K). To this day, it still sells on the resale market at a premium.
Then, in 2022, it was Saint Laurent’s printed silk Jamie bag, which felt like a bold ode to the Yves Saint Laurent of the past. The multicolor print offered a fun, vintage feel reminiscent of the colorful Yves Saint Laurent logo tees you can find on Etsy and in other secondhand shops. The bag felt somehow vintage and fresh at the same time—a unique piece that I’ve found myself revisiting on the resale market over the years.
Later, in 2024, Chanel dropped another printed flap bag that had all the makings of becoming the season’s It bag—I was obsessed with it then, too. Still, I’ve yet to actually pull the trigger on one of these bags, despite returning to them again and again. Paying a premium for a printed silk bag gives me pause, even as someone who understands the ins and outs of luxury goods and pricing.
The Case for Fabric Bags
Still, I personally don’t believe that fabric bags are a waste of money, and here’s why:
On the one hand, some would argue that a leather bag that costs upwards of four or even five figures is excessive and a waste of money. So really, how much does the material matter? If you love the bag and it suits your lifestyle, it can be worth the expense. After all, many of us collect and purchase handbags because they bring us joy and add a little sparkle to our day-to-day lives.
Are Fabric Bags Really a Waste of Money?
While I don’t believe that a fabric bag is a waste of money if it’s a bag you can easily work into your wardrobe and use often, I do find myself second-guessing those purchases more than others. I also tend to set a spending limit for what I’d be willing to pay for a fabric bag.
Leather or coated canvas can be much more practical than fabric, as both materials can withstand wear and tear that fabric simply can’t. So if you’re not a fan of babying your bags, you’d probably rather skip a fabric bag—especially one in a light color.
I’m not exactly sure what that price ceiling is, though. As I revisit the Saint Laurent Jamie Bag on the secondary market (I’ve got a bid in the works right now!) I want to know—would you buy a fabric bag? What’s the most you would spend on one?
Images via @wyandrad
I considered a denim Chanel flap for a minute and then changed my mind. No, fabric bags are not for me.
When money is a factor, yes absolutely. But isn’t the entire subject of designer-anything a “waste of money” when it comes down to financial prudence?
I used to only carry fabric bags. Prada nylon. Juicy Couture terry cloth. Vera Bradley. When having small kids, they were easier to clean.
Now, I rarely carry them even when it’s raining. So, for that time in my life…yes. Now? Pass but I do love my two Longchamps.