The Luxury List is a monthly column on all things luxury, tapping the foremost experts in the fashion space to explore everything from craftsmanship deep dives to the little-known details to consider when buying fine jewelry.
The new direction and key themes in fashion for 2024 are still taking shape, but one thing is clear: elegance is back. We already saw evidence of this on the S/S 24 runways at brands including Prada, Altuzarra, and Brandon Maxwell which laid the groundwork with designs such as satin heels, A-line silhouettes, and refined scoop-neck dresses that are set to be key shopping buys in 2024.
We also saw a movement towards this refined aesthetic in the form of sophisticated bags. Hermès brought the Plume bag—which originally debuted in the 1960s—back to the runway. Alaïa released the Le Teckel bag, which is already one of the most coveted bags of the season. Meanwhile, The Row’s Margaux bag has reached new heights of demand and a reputation as “a Birkin in the making,” according to The Business of Fashion.
What each of these bags has in common is a level of sophistication that falls into the new era of elegant fashion we are seeing unfold. Like the Hermès Plume, the bags take design cues from styles that date back to the ‘60s and even earlier—elongated top handle straps, boxy shapes, smooth leather in shades of burgundy, cream, and onyx. Ahead, the best sophisticated bags to shop—these are the styles I’m feeling particularly bullish about investing in.
Alaïa’s ballerina flats were one of the most in-demand pieces of 2023 and the fashion house is set to recreate that buzz with the Le Teckel bag. The name is French for dachshund, which makes sense once you see its elongated shape. The first drops were solid leather versions, but the maison continues to release new iterations including a just-released studded style.
ALAIA
Le Teckel Small Leather Shoulder Bag
Alaïa
Le Teckel Small Leather Shoulder Bag
ALAIA
Le Teckel Small Leather Shoulder Bag
The Margaux bag from The Row first appeared in 2018 but it wasn’t until 2023 that it soared to cult status. Now, it is one of the most desired bags among the fashion set and retailers can’t keep it in stock. Sleek, sophisticated, and logoless, it has all the makings of the ultimate everyday bag, so it’s easy to see why it is resonating.
The Row
Soft Margaux 10 Bag in Leather
The Row
Ew Margaux Bag in Leather
The Row
Soft Margaux 17 Bag in Leather
Ferragamo Hug bag is named after the way two buckled straps wrap around the front in the form of a hug. Designed by Maximilian Davis and unveiled for F/W 23, the bag continues to resonate with the fashion crowd. Opt for the top handle style or the clutch version.
FERRAGAMO
Hug Small Leather Top-Handle Bag
FERRAGAMO
Large Hug Pouch Bag
FERRAGAMO
Small Hug Canvas & Leather Satchel
Khaite’s Maeve bag in the medium size feels like a shrunken version of a chic travel duffle that is intended to be used for the every day, while the large version is a weekender proportion. The sleek bag is finished in luxe suede or pebbled leather in shades such as navy and emerald green.
Khaite
Medium Maeve Suede Satchel
Khaite
Large Maeve Leather Weekend Bag
Khaite
Large Maeve Suede Weekend Bag
(Image credit: Launchmetrics; Collector Square)
The Hermès Plume bag may very well be the blueprint for many of the sophisticated bag shapes that are emerging on the market right now. The bag originally debuted in the 1960s, but feels more relevant than ever. Now that is true staying power.
Hermes
Plume Elan Bag Epsom 28
Hermès
Butler Verso Plume 32
Hermès
Plume Leather Handbag
(Image credit: The Row)
