by Clutched.

Your Designer Bag Clique

Most of us have formed loyalties over time, knowingly or not to labels that first caught our eye at uni, to the brands that defined our post-lockdown reset, or simply to the one designer whose vision consistently just gets us. We form cliques around aesthetics, shared histories, even mutual shopping habits. There’s the logo loyalists who’ve stuck with Versace since the 2010s, the Chloé devotees who treat subtlety as a kind of moral compass, and the high-gloss pragmatists who want their bag to signal boardroom prowess.

Think of this as a style referendum. Six houses stand for distinctly different sensibilities, each vying for your vote. From Prada’s reinvention of seaside style to Dolce & Gabbana’s sun‑kissed artisan spirit, the ballot spans innovation, reinvention and assertiveness. We’ve narrowed the list and each bag is a potential poster child for your personal brand. Browse, then cast your mental vote. Which clique carries the day in your wardrobe?

Versace – The Baroque Brass Band

Versace remains the rallying cry for the maximalist set.

Versace

Barocco Athena Medium White & Gold Raffia Tote Bag – £1,470

Versace

Underwater Barocco La Medusa Blue & White Mini Tote Bag – £920

Versace

Versace Tag Bowling Metallic Gold Shoulder Bag – £920

Versace

Underwater Barocco Medusa 95 Blue & White Small Top‑Handle Bag – £1,530

Prada – The Textural Vanguard

Prada has always balanced forward‑thinking materials with a touch of nostalgia.

Prada

Mariner Small Pomegranate & Red Striped Fabric Bucket Bag – £1,620

Prada

Tan & Light Blue Wicker Mini Bag – £1,890

Prada

Mariner Large Camel Re‑Nylon Shoulder Bag – £1,980

Prada

Noué Medium Cord & Royal Blue Cotton Macramé Bag – £1,440

Gucci – The Archive Revivalists

Gucci’s latest styles focus is on reinterpreting house codes through natural materials.

Gucci

GG Emblem Beige & White Fabric Medium Tote Bag – £1,530

Gucci

Woven Natural Straw‑Effect Medium Tote Bag – £1,680

Gucci

Gucci Giglio Beige & Brown GG Canvas Large Tote Bag – £1,600

Gucci

Woven Natural Straw‑Effect Mini Bucket Bag – £1,590

Balmain – The Executive Edit

Balmain’s edit this season walks the line between corporate and rebel.

Balmain

Medium Anthem White Leather Shoulder Bag – £1,950

Balmain

B‑Army Printed Canvas Gold Tote Bag – £1,150

Balmain

Sync Beige Calfskin Leather Shoulder Bag – £1,950

Balmain

Shuffle Black Leather Mini Shoulder Bag – £950

Dolce & Gabbana – The Mediterranean Muse

Dolce & Gabbana channels the spirit of the Italian coast with crochet, sun‑bleached raffia and rich embroideries.

Dolce & Gabbana

Raffia Crochet Shopping Bag – £1,750

Dolce & Gabbana

Beige Raffia Crochet Shoulder Bag – £1,550

Dolce & Gabbana

Capri Beige Calfskin & Canvas Bucket Bag – £1,450

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce Box Crochet Handbag with Embroidery – £4,650

Chloé – The Minimalists

Chloé’s revolution this summer lies in innovation with wooden handles, bead accents and soft suedes that speak volumes.

Chloé

Small Chloé Heritage Wooden Orange Leather Shoulder Bag – £1,790

Chloé

Small Chloé Spin Brunet Pink Leather Tote Bag – £990

Chloé

Chloé Icons Black Soft Leather Shoulder Bag – £1,550

Chloé

Mini Beaded Black Suede Leather Hobo Bag – £2,490

Your Verdict?

Six cliques, 24 contenders, now it’s your turn. Which designer bag earns your vote for summer’s defining accessory?..

Styling Strategies to Own Your Clique

Create a Clique Mood Board: Before you dress, gather images, snapshots of street style, campaign shots, even film stills, that echo your chosen house’s spirit. Let this visual shorthand guide your outfit’s mood, from accessories to attitude.

Play the Signature Echo: Identify one defining detail of your bag (say, the Medusa charm or wooden handle) and weave it into your look via unexpected places: a brooch, a statement ring or even a bespoke nail colour. It turns a bag from ‘that nice tote’ into the story’s anchor.

Genre‑Bust Your Silhouettes: Put your clique in dialogue with another: team Prada’s macramé with a Balmain blazer or layer Dolce & Gabbana crochet under a Gucci straw tote. Cross‑pollination breathes new life into each aesthetic.

Micro‑Trends as Backdrops: Spot micro‑trends, sheer shirting, pearl‑stitched denim or thrifted scarves, and let them frame your designer pick. The contrast makes the bag’s signature sharper.

Vote with Your Playlist: Soundtrack your morning with the music that matches your chosen clique, an opera aria for Versace maximalists, lo‑fi beats for Chloé minimalists. It’s an oddly effective way to inhabit a style mindset before you leave the house.

*Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.

See our seasonal handbag colour trends edit!