Few fashion items can withstand the winds of change. It's usually just the staples—straight-leg jeans, an oversized T-shirt, or a simple trench coat—that weather the constant shift in the trend cycle. While no one can deny the importance of having basic apparel in their arsenal, there’s one accessory that shouldn’t be an afterthought: a classic purse style.
Like any other garment, handbags can be categorized as timeless or trend-forward—the latter of which is often prescribed to them in broader pop culture. One of the primary factors driving many people not to define purses as a “classic” staple is the collective shift in consumer habits. For context, the luxury handbag sector has grown by over $33.49 billion in the last few years, which has been primarily driven by the mounting pressure to purchase a popular designer bag or the season’s biggest trends. While there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to get your hands on a hot new handbag, having to shell out thousands of dollars each season on something potentially short-lived isn’t exactly the smartest move in this economy. Investing in a few classic purse styles that can last is more imperative than ever.
So, what type of handbags are worth your hard-earned dollars?
“One of the biggest misconceptions about buying a handbag is that the trending items—the bag of the moment—will have lasting investment benefits. But there’s a rapid burnout around handbag trends; these styles won’t go the distance,” says Rachel Glicksberg, the New Initiatives Lead at The RealReal, the popular secondhand luxury marketplace. "A good investment is what you love and will wear for years to come.”
Still, Glicksberg explains that it’s tricky, in general, to try to label any item as timeless, much less our accessories. “So much goes into what makes a purse style a ‘cult classic,’ with the ingredients including the design concept, creative director, and the cultural zeitgeist.” For those in the fashion world, our definition of what’s a ‘classic handbag’ is often associated with specific It bags that have stood the test of time—models like Louis Vuitton’s Speedy, Dior’s Saddle, Balenciaga’s Le City Bag, or Fendi’s Baguette, for example. But you don’t necessarily need to procure a pricey handbag from luxury brands to have a piece that can withstand the trend cycle. There are some simple considerations you can make throughout the shopping process to ensure you’re making a safe investment: consider the shape, size, styling versatility, sticker price, and sartorial preferences. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that what is characterized as “classic purse styles” in broader pop culture could be different than the handbags that appeal to you and that’s totally okay.