It’s been a long time since the handbag world has had a new shape emerge. For the past several seasons, it’s mostly been wall-to-wall small crossbodies and tailored, ladylike satchels with a few popular north-south totes thrown in, and just like any predilection that’s been around for a while, those norms were bound to be challenged sooner or later. I simply didn’t expect ultra-wide east-west satchels to be the bags to do it.
And these aren’t just any east-west bags, which have always been a favorite. These designs are wide, some of them doubly wide as they are tall. It’s a tricky proportion to pull off, and although I’ve rounded up a bunch of good representations of the trend from Fall 2012’s new arrivals, I’m not sure that every bag on this list pulls it off. Lanvin, for example, does a better job on some of its bags than others, and I can’t say I’m feeling the extra-wide Louis Vuitton option at all. The blue Miu Miu and Chloe up top? Sign me up. Check out the bags we picked and let us know if you think this trend will catch on.
Lanvin Dr. Lanvin Doctor’s Bag, $4350 via Neiman Marcus
Miu Miu Small Suede Doctor Bag, $1495 via Bergdorf Goodman
Louis Vuitton Neo Papillon, price on request via Louis Vuitton
Lanvin Double Handle East-West Satchel, $2988 via Bergdorf Goodman
Chloe Alice Spring Satchel, $1995 via Neiman Marcus
Miu Miu Spazzolato Doctor Bag, $1990 via Bergdorf Goodman
Brunello Cucinello Vitello Matte Satchel, $2680 via Neiman Marcus
Louis Vuitton Triangle, price varies as part of the haute maroquinerie custom-order program
Lanvin Python Embossed JL Bowler, $2450 via Neiman Marcus
