There’s a difference between a “bag” and a “handbag”. The former is a generic term, widely used to describe any kind of carrier that you can put things in – even those micro pouches that hold next to nothing. The latter is more specific, and in 2025, popular exemplars include (but are not limited to): The Row’s Margaux, Prada’s Buckle, Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo and Ciao Ciao, Balenciaga’s Le City, Miu Miu’s Aventure and Hermès’ Birkin. The Birkin predates the others by almost 20 years, but remains a permanent fixture on the fashion circuit – and a blueprint for what a “handbag” should look like.
Read more: The Key Spring/Summer 2025 Bag Trends To Know Now
This influx of new models, alongside the continued demand for heritage styles, suggests a return of the classic handbag silhouette: broadly defined by a boxy shape, top handles and at least one pocket on the interior or exterior. “For those commuting more regularly, there’s a growing preference for bags that can carry all the essentials in one place,” notes Kay Barron, fashion director at Net-a-Porter. “Carrying a tiny handbag to work isn’t practical, and often requires the need of an additional tote for all the essentials.”
Handbags witnessed a hiatus during the pandemic, when their capacious and practical traits were no longer required as the country descended into lockdown. Since then, as far as bag trends are concerned, accessories have primarily taken the form of crossbodys, XXL totes and tuck-and-go shoulder bags. But the increased interest in The Row’s Margaux – circa 2023 – signified a shift. Dupes came in thick and fast, while the original sold out as quickly as the label’s minimalist-focused founders, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, could restock to meet growing demand.
It’s rare for a bag – especially one from a contemporary brand – to make it into the pantheon of handbag greats, but the Margaux has done just that. The catalysts? A loyal fan base (featuring influential celebrities) and timing. “I feel really fortunate to be very close with those women, and they really do dictate where we go season to season […] When we design, we’re designing for specific clients… We understand what their day looks like, how and when they travel,” Mary-Kate previously told British Vogue. The brand has since released multiple Margaux counterparts that echo its classic handbag shape.
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