by Clutched.
Cult Handbag Icons
Handbags are signifiers of taste, timing, and sometimes, status. So, what makes a handbag cult?.. It starts with recognition (not just of the bag itself), but of what it says about the person carrying it. A cult handbag isn’t always the most expensive or the rarest, but it draws attention from those who know. Think of it as fashion’s version of knowing the right reference at the right time.
Some bags enter this space through legacy. The Birkin remains an icon for its scarcity and mythology built around it. Celebrity moments matter. Jackie Kennedy and the Gucci Jackie. Sarah Jessica Parker and the Fendi Baguette. These were cultural bookmarks. Today, it’s TikTok clips and paparazzi candids doing the work, with speed and reach that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago.
Hermès
2024 Birkin 25 Black Leather Handbag – £3,6107
Gucci
Jackie Notte Ivory Patent Leather Mini Shoulder Bag – £2,830
Fendi
Baguette Multicolour Crossbody Bag – £2,674
The handbags everyone continues to watch is Alaïa’s Le Teckel. This dachshund-inspired shape has gone from quirky niche to full-blown phenomenon. It’s been carried by tastemakers from Paris to Tokyo, and its absence in stockists only fuels the obsession.
Alaïa
Le Teckel Noir Leather Shoulder Bag – £1,900
The Row’s Margaux, on the other hand, is the year’s most subtle flex. Rosé, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and a host of editors and stylists have made it a front-row regular. Its attraction is its restraint, a rarity in a sea of statement pieces.
The Row
Soft Margaux 10 Black Leather Top Handle Bag – £3,380
Miu Miu’s Arcadie keeps its momentum, bolstered by a clever campaign fronted by Gigi Hadid and plenty of organic love on social from stars like TWICE’s Momo. The Loewe Puzzle still feels smart and self-aware. Meanwhile, the Andiamo from Bottega Veneta has been boosted by its London Fashion Week visibility and ongoing editorial coverage.
Miu Miu
Arcadie Powder Pink Matelassé Nappa Leather Bag – £2,300
Loewe
Small Featherlight Dark Butter Nappa Lambskin Bag – £3,250
Bottega Veneta
Small Andiamo Cherry Tomato Leather Handbag – £3,630
The Chanel 22 continues to divide opinion, but sales suggest it’s becoming a mainstay. It shows up on red carpets, at airports, and in every resale roundup worth reading. The Pochette Métis from Louis Vuitton, with its quiet ubiquity and climbing resale value, is another one to note.
Chanel
2021-2023 Mini Shiny White Calfskin 22 Hobo Satchel – £4,334
Louis Vuitton
Métis East West Beige Leather Shoulder Bag – £2,861
A familiar favourite returns as the Balenciaga City Bag is back. Gen Z has adopted it with unselfconscious enthusiasm, a genuine revival. Expect slouchy shapes and heavy hardware to be part of the conversation again.
Balenciaga
Womens Le City First Bag in White Lambskin – £1,550
Next-Gen Cult Favourites
The Bottega Hop has become one of the most photographed bags this season. Editors noticed it at Milan, and stockists haven’t been able to keep up.
Bottega Veneta
Mini Hop White Leather Shoulder Bag – £2,310
Prada’s Buckle Handbag is also gaining traction, especially in its smaller size. The silver hardware gives it just enough presence to stand out in a sea of low-key styles.
Prada
Buckle Large Caramel Leather Handbag with Belt – £4,500
Stella McCartney’s Falabella is re-entering the frame (not newly launched, but newly relevant). Its commitment to sustainable materials aligns with the direction many shoppers are heading, and its distinctive chain detail still holds visual weight.
Stella McCartney
Limited Edition Falabella Star Studs Wallet Crossbody Bag – £650
Cultural Significance and Resale Power
Cult bags tend to mark a moment. The Chloé Paddington captured the early-2000s, and the Dior Saddle still brings to mind the excess and energy of its time. In 2025, the Arcadie and Hop are shaping up to play a similar role.
Christian Dior
2020 Mini Grained Black Calfskin Saddle Satchel – £2,404
And for those thinking longer term, it’s worth noting that resale interest continues to shift. Hermès remains a gold standard, but newer players like the Chanel 22 and Bottega’s Cassette are proving their worth, especially in limited drops or unusual finishes.
To carry a cult bag now is to have your finger on the pulse. It’s not about knowing what’s trending, it’s knowing what matters before it hits saturation.
*Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
See our seasonal handbag colour trends edit!