We’re one week away from Christmas, which means that in just two weeks, it will already be 2026. If you’re having déjà vu, I am too, because it feels like just yesterday that we were prepping to leave 2024 behind. I swear, the older I get, the faster time goes!
Now is the time to look at the things we’d like to accomplish next year, but also reflect on the year we are leaving behind. From the outfits we wore to the bags we bought, and the things we wanted, but didn’t buy (I think about you every day, vintage Parisian fur coat), to the friends we made and everything in between, what a year it’s been.
Talking about bags will always be what we do here, and while it is fun to discuss which bags we play favorites with, looking back at the bags we gravitated towards most (and the bags we didn’t use) can offer insights we can use when making future purchases.
The Bags I Reached For Again and Again
My Prada Cleo continues to be one of my most-loved and most-used bags. While I understand it doesn’t work for everyone, I’ll never stop singing the Prada Cleo’s praises, and the proof is in how much I use it.
It pairs well with almost everything—day or night, and for both casual and dressy occasions. With that in mind, I know a slim-silhouetted shoulder bag would get a lot of use in my rotation.
A close runner-up is my Savette Slim Symmetry Pochette, which I got at the end of last year. Truthfully, this one was an underdog that I didn’t see coming!
I’ve had my eye on the Bottega Veneta Andiamo Clutch, but wasn’t sure I could justify the $3K+ price tag. After getting so much use out of my Savette, the Bottega has gone up a few notches on my want list.
As for the bag that I barely reached for this year? That would be my Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Pont Neuf. I’ll never sell her, but it’s worth keeping in mind that a boxy, top-handle silhouette won’t get a lot of use in my rotation.
Which bags did you use most this year? Are there any you didn’t use at all?
Vintage Bolide 35 in Bleu Agate. A beautiful workhorse- the best of both worlds! The day wouldn’t be the same without her! 💙
#1 Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack.
#2 Louis Vuitton Keepall 25
#3 Louis Vuitton Cabas Zippé
The bags I love the most and the bags I use the most, not the same 😂. I love my Chanel flaps and WOC, I use my Prada nylon backpack and LV Palm Springs mini backpack the most.
I feel this!!!
My polene bags so I sold the rest.
About the EPI Pont Neuf, beautiful blue! I succumbed to the very similar shade of gorgeous blue with a Prada bowler bag in saffiano, similar size too. And yes, that bag mostly ever does is sitting pretty at home. The boxy-ness coupled with the size, plus this color, not a practical combination for me either. But I love it…
Right there with you!!!
I bought three Louis Vuitton Wilshire PM’s and have used them since September. The other months I’ve rotated through a Fendi 2Jours, Burberry small Banner, and an MCM Boston bag.
I was really into top handles this year.
My Balenciaga Rodeo Medium, my LV Low Key Hobo, my Fendi Baguettes, and my most used are my Massimo Dutti Nappa tote and Birkin 35 for the gym.
I made sure to use my small vintage bags (mixed brands) this year since i decided to keep them instead of selling them.
Loewe puzzle tan color , balenciaga City black color , chanel jumbo flap bag , alma bb damier ebene, ysl lou lou camera bag croc black color and Dior locked pochette black color and this days i again falled in love with the LV saint germain medium in beige color ( sorry not english language native ) happy holidays everyone oh i almost forgot the gym bag ( used to be my diaper bag travel bag snacks etc bag ) my kids no kids any more so is my golf bag now and i golf every day so thats my most used bag a year
I used Ferragamo Hug bag and Ferragamo Classic gancini a lot this year. And YSL Cassandra.
Honestly, my most-used bag is a Shupatto tote. Otherwise, I mostly rotate between a Primo Atelier BKK bag and my Proenza Schouler PS1.
For me, I would say my beloved Celine Triomphe bags and Chanel mini flap. I’m going to try to rotate more next year!!
my most used bag this year is def my chanel 25 in black! I couldn’t stop using it and when I switched to a different bag, I immediately couldn’t wait to switch back. it’s such a great everyday bag and fits a ton! I suspect it’ll be my most used in 2026 as well.
my least used? my gold/gold birkin 25 🙁
That Chanel 25 is a boss bag. I love it in all colors. I saw a lady with a denim one at the airport. Just beautiful.
Chanel caviar jumbo & Chanel So Black chevron lambskin jumbo. Pretty much split the year with those 2.
Everyday use:
Saint Laurent Jamie 4.3 shopping bag in light musk
Gucci Blondie (aka Disco) in taupe
LV Daimer Infini Michael backpack (leather, not canvas)
For dressier occasions:
LV Alma Malletage PM (black)
Bulgari Roma Medium (also black)
The Michael backpack is a super work bag and keeps my hands free. Bonus: we bought it for 2100 euros and shortly after that, the price shot up to 3000.
For me this year, it’s been the totes and top handle bags. LV On The Go MM, speedy (Kusama), Speedy 30 (DE), Speedy 30 (mono), Alma PM (DE), Alma PM (EPI caramel color, Not sure of official name), and of course my vintage Christian Dior Diorissimo Boston Bag. Even my Birkin took the back seat again. I am really loving the resurgence of vintage bags.
YSL large loulou flap bag in black- it holds my iPad and so much more!
The Row Peggy.
Super versatile.
SO CHIC!
Fendi By the Way Selleria medium in blue, Loewe Flamenco medium in black and Celine Luggage mini in burgundy. Oh, and Balenciaga’s Le City in yellow.
Most used small black ysl biker style crossbody and vintage Chanel navy Diana
Least used YSL Sac de Jour -too big, so heavy and a black Chanel Ladybraid – seems dated 😞
Balenciaga giant city bag and Chanel GST but I do keep my 55 bags in constant rotation LOL
Mulberry Bayswater tote in NVT. I love it.
Most used was my Gucci Horsebit bucket. I have used a variety of bags including Coach Brooklyn straw and Kate Spade cream bucket in the summer.
Been rocking a Tory Burch Romy Suede tote, Liffner small bucket suede and a no name suede I got from TJ Maxx for fall. My Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton were the least worn.
This was the year of the top handle for me:
Toteme T lock top handle
The Row Margaux 10
Goyard Mini Anjou
Bottega small Andiamo
Coach Empire 28 and 34 which I have since sold
Dior Caro Backpack – pretty much stopped using all other bags with the exception of occasionally taking out the LV Low Key hobo. The backpack has proven to work great with casual clothes and dresses – LOVE It.
My Prada 2005 Saffiano Reedition. I switched-out the the web strap for a saffiano handle/ small shoulder strap. Reach for it everyday.
Golden Goose Vita Bag in black distressed leather
#1 Bottega Venetia Teen Jodie
#Toteme T-Lock (large size)
#Vintage Celine Trotteur (medium size)
My Givenchy mini voyou (grey) in the summer, and Toteme t-lock clutch (black) in the winter.