Writing about a trend that was clearly spawned by one brand or one bag is always a little tricky—some people are inclined to dismiss all those that came after that first arrival as copying or stealing. In reality, the situation is a little more complicated than that. Some designs are so influential that they change customer expectations across the market for years at a time, and at a certain point, brands hoping to reach those consumer groups just have to give up and design to the trend, even if they do so grudgingly—fashion can be art, but it’s always capitalism, and brands need to sell bags. That’s the case with the Chanel Boy Bag and all the chain-strap flap bags that have come after it in recent years (and that still continue coming).
The Chanel Boy Bag itself is inspired by the Chanel flap bags that came before it and that have long inspired imitators at all levels of the accessories market, but it’s safe to credit the relative newcomer with the resurgence of similar bags in both the luxury and contemporary markets in the years since its debut. The Boy Bag reimagined the somewhat formal idea of a flap bag with a hardware strap as young and edgy, which helped encourage scores of women to adopt the look into the more casual parts of their wardrobes. At first, I thought it would run its course like other structural trends have in that time, like the flared gussets that abounded in the wake of the Céline Luggage Tote.
Instead, chain-strap flap bags have stuck around, and even brands that otherwise don’t show much of an interest in making shoulder bags have relented and given shoppers an option or two in Chanel’s image. And now, with the ascendant popularity of the Gucci Marmont Bag—which takes no steps to hide its homage to the Chanel original—it seems like chain-strap flap bags will be abundant for the foreseeable future, not as a trend, but simply as a wardrobe staple. Even Louis Vuitton has acquiesced to the look. For some of our favorites from a variety of designers, check out our picks below.
Balenciaga Bazar Graffiti Flap Bag
$1,880 via Net-a-Porter
Chanel Boy Bag
$7,200 via Chanel
Diane von Furstenberg Bonne Journee Shoulder Bag
$698 via Shopbop
Dior Diorection Flap Bag
Price on Request via Dior
Fendi Kan I Bag
$1,890 via Fendi
Furla Mini Metropolitan Bag
$378 via Shopbop
Givenchy GV3 Flap Bag
$1,990 via Net-a-Porter
Gucci Marmont Bag
$2,590 via Gucci
Kate Spade Cameron Street Marci Shoulder Bag
$328 via Nordstrom
Louis Vuitton New Wave Bag
$2,270 via Louis Vuitton
MICHAEL Michael Kors Whitney Shoulder Bag
$298 via Shopbop
Miu Miu Matelasse Shoulder Bag
$1,790 via Net-a-Porter
Prada Cahier Mini Bag
$2,350 via Net-a-Porter
Saint Laurent Sulpice Bag
$2,590 via Net-a-Porter
Salvatore Ferragamo Gancino Quilted Bag
$1,750 via Shopbop
Strathberry Mini Stripe Crossbody Bag
$675 via Nordstrom
Tom Ford Natalia Faux Fur Shoulder Bag
$1,850 via Net-a-Porter
Tory Burch Robinson Shoulder Bag
$428 via Tory Burch
Valentino Rockstud Spikes Bag
$3,295 via Net-a-Porter
Versace Icon Studded Crossbody Bag
$1,995 via Nordstrom
Strathberry Mini Stripe Crossbody at Nordstrom is sold out. So I clicked on “Strathberry” and expected a display of that brand’s bags. However, Nordstrom’s search feature didn’t find one Strathberry bag. Odd.
They carry more Strathberry at Saks.
Thanks.
Versace! I love how much I hate that bag. It’s just so 80’s. So fun for the right person.
The chain straps should suffice as hardware aesthetics anything extra just becomes unappealing. That Valentino bag is just too busy and I can’t stop thinking of the dust and dirt the Tom Ford will attract.
Where is tha Avenue Loewe bag???
I love the printed leather Robinson and Metropolis! Furla have a cute cat version too.
I need that Salvatore Ferragamo Gancino Quilted Bag in my life!!!