For most working women, the idea of splurging on every single new bag by Saint Laurent or Gucci each season may just seem absolutely unnecessary (it’s just not a feasible way of spending your hard-earned coins).
Instead, we recommend saving up for a series of high-quality, classic handbags as a more logical way of treating yourself. Specifically, we’re talking about ‘investment pieces’ — the items that will supposedly see you through a lifetime of wardrobe changes and adventures. An arsenal of timeless bags can really last you for life — and even serve as a valuable heirloom after.
It’s time to look and feel the part of the polished working woman that you are, and to help, we’ve rounded up bags that we know will be decade-spanning investment pieces for time to come.
Text: Michelle Yeoh/Her World & Aaron Kok / Image: Showbit
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Punctuated with hammered double bracelet handles and brass hardware, this street style favourite conjures the spirit of its similar-looking predecessor: the Nile bag.
The Pixie is shaped in a perfect circle with a textural exterior of suede and contrasting grained leather half-moon panels. With its classic equestrian details and architecturally exquisite form, we predict that this standout bag from Chloe will be a mainstay in every fashion girl’s wardrobe for years to come.
This Instagram-worthy bag is Cartier’s Guirlande de Cartier, inspired by the iconic red case Cartier uses for its jewellery and watches, such as their equally iconic Juste un Clou and Love bracelets, and Baignoire watch.
The Guirlande de Cartier comes in three sizes (mini, S and M) and is fashioned from a supple calfskin upper and a buttery black calfskin lining. The perimeter of the bag is beautifully adorned with the maison’s signature golden wreath, introduced in the 18th century.
It has two straps – a top handle, and a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap. Functional? Check. Versatile? Check. The mini and S sizes are available in red, black and green, while the M size comes only in black and red.
Named Cahier, which is French for “book”, this Prada bag first debuted in 2016 and has since been regarded as an ‘It bag’ amongst street style stars and fashion insiders everywhere. Inspired by the bindings of an antique book, it’s structured box-shaped form renders it as the perfect mix between classic and contemporary. The range has been selling well since its first launch a couple of seasons back, with limited number of pieces for sale each time around whenever a new design launches.
Dior’s iconic bag, the Lady Dior, features all the hallmarks of Dior leather goods: soft lambskin topstitched with the iconic Cannage motif, rounded handles and D.I.O.R charms.
This bag has already established itself as a decade-enduring classic with its timeless form and understated elegance.
The Chanel DNA is omnipresent in this full-grain leather vanity case-style shoulder bag: polished quilted leather, a signature chain strap, and the iconic double-C logo fronting the bag.
Mirroring the boxy silhouette trend that’s ubiquitous across the season, this bag takes the cake as the ultimate must-have for years to come with its classic Chanel elements and sophisticated appeal.
Joining the ranks of Fendi’s past It-bags (which include the Peekaboo and Baguette bag), the Kan I bag brings a breath of fresh air to Fendi’s archives of bags with its sleek silhoutte and fun styles.
Introduced in 2017, this boxy flap bag comes with a round top handle and the recognisable Fendi logo. Our favourite is this cream-and-chocolate edition with a ‘FF’ logo peaking through the bottom. Showcasing logomania at its best, this classic design has both of Fendi’s signature elements: a netural colour palette and a sophisticated play on the FF logo.
Saint Laurent’s Lou Lou shoulder bag features a chain strap, a front flap, matelassé quilting effect and the label’s iconic silver-tone metal monogram proudly positioned on the front. It was named after muse and style icon Loulou de la Falaise – indicating, perhaps, that it would come to be as timeless as its namesake some years down the road.
The chain strap is also adjustable, so you can switch it from a shoulder bag to a cross-body style according to the occasion.
Loewe’s Gate bag first garnered the attention of fashion connoiseurs when it was first shown in 2018, and it’s still capturing hearts (and wallets) even today. Its shape informs of a classic saddle design – but elevated with a contemporary edge, giving it a modern equastrian look.
Petite and chic, this new bag is sure to join the house’s existing list of icons with its distinctive rounded design and a unique knotted front belt with contrasting decorative stitches.
The versatile Gate comes in a range of interesting textures and colourways. That, together with its timeless functionality, renders it perfect for every single type of woman with every single type of taste.
If there’s any bag of Givenchy’s that deserves the most airtime right now, it’s the beautifully unadorned, minimalistic and sleek Horizon. Ever since its first appearance, the tote-style satchel with a banded detail at the handle base has become a favourite staple amongst many. Incorporating the horizontal stripe native to their now famed graphic T-shirts, Givenchy’s Horizon has a wide leather panel interlacing the sides of the bag as an all-around belt accent. It also comes in 4 sizes to date: Medium, Small, Mini and Nano.
Built to last, as a testament to the brand’s detailed execution of quality control, the Horizon is nothing but the epitome of simplicity at its finest.