Rectangular East-West Bags Are Trending: 13 Picks That Are Perfect For Any Occasion
Slim shapes and clean lines that bring a refined look to your outfit
By Saw Yone Yone & Shazrina Shamsudin -
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There's a new trend in town, and it's shaping up to be rectangular bags. Their elongated silhouettes mean these bags are also called 'East-West' bags. This is because the longer sides run horizontally, like the layout of the Earth's longitude lines from east to west.
There are both original designs and East-West iterations of existing iconic bags. Scroll down for some fab handbag options to match your outfits, whatever the occasion.
1. Arcadie Matelasse Nappa Leather Bag, $4,500, Miu Miu
Credit: Miu Miu
Whether you’re looking for a pop of colour or some texture, Miu Miu’s got it all. What stands out about this piece is the precious matelasse workmanship which gives this bag its signature look and feel. The bag also comes with a top handle, and leather straps so you can sling it on as a crossbody or over your shoulders so you can go hands-free.
Luce Small Shoulder Bag, $4,250, Gucci
Credit: Gucci
Small, compact and versatile, this small shoulder bag from Gucci is the perfect accessory to carry around if you’re heading out with the girls or even when you’re out running some quick errands. For this iteration of the Gucci Luce, the bag features the original GG canvas that is accentuated by dark blue leather trim and light gold-toned hardware.
Alaia Le Teckel, USD$2,700 (S$3,631.76), Alaia
Credit: Alaïa
While primarily a fashion brand, Alaia is no stranger to accessories like handbags. Inspired by the namesake Azzedine Alaia’s love for dogs, the Le Teckel bag draws its shape from dachshunds. It’s very on the nose too, with “le teckel” being French for dachshund.
Made in Italy, this bag comes in a range of materials and colours. It even carries a small removable mirror in an inside pocket.
Le Rectangle Tote Bag, $2,314, Jacquemus from Farfetch
Credit: Jacquemus
The Jacquemus Le Rectangle is especially chic, with gold hardware accentuating their expressive colourways from hot pink to bright orange. It comes with detachable leather straps, one thinner for a restrained look and one with the same width as the bag for an eye-catching accompaniment to your outfit.
Baguette, $5,320, Fendi
Credit: Fendi
The Fendi Baguette, popularised by Carrie Bradshaw from ‘Sex and the City’ carrying it on screen, has been a mainstay of Fendi’s line-up for over 25 years. Inspired by French women carrying baguettes under their arms, and taking its name from there, this bag has been released in numerous iterations.
Long Clutch Andiamo With Handle, $3,990, Bottega Veneta
Credit: Bottega Veneta
With Bottega Veneta’s signature intrecciato – their intertwining and weaving – design, this clutch bag made with lambskin leather is elegant, compact and chic.
Gucci Diana Small Shoulder Bag, $5,500, Gucci
Credit: Gucci
From Gucci’s Diana line-up, this elegant bag is a throwback in more ways than one. The bamboo handles are historically inspired: stemming from Gucci’s 1947 Gucci Bamboo bag, these iconic handles came from lack as post-war Italy faced leather shortages. It also comes with two removable leather belts, a reference to the bands used to keep handles in shape in past iterations of the bag.
Wanda East-West Top Handle, $2,500, Ferragamo
Credit: Ferragamo
First introduced in 1988, the Wanda bag is named after Wanda Ferragamo, the eponymous designer’s wife. This sizeable reinterpretation, using a much more aggressive East-West silhouette, has rigid panels to offer a sleek, minimalist construction.
Dior Small Lady D-Joy Bag, $7,100, Dior
Credit: Dior
A re-imagining of the Lady Dior bag, a reference to Lady Di or Princess Diana due to her patronage of the bag, this handbag retains the recognisable quilted texture and design features of the original while presenting it in a more horizontal format.
Soft Baguette Bag, KRW290,000 (S$281.75), Marge Sherwood
Credit: Marge Sherwood
From a contemporary Korean handbag brand named after Marge Sherwood from ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ (1999), this minimalist bag with an embossed logo reflects the character’s grace and sophistication.
Suzanne Baguette Shoulder Bag in Patent Leather, $2,829, Saint Laurent from Neiman Marcus
Credit: Neiman Marcus
The structured silhouette, compact size of the Suzanne shoulder bag and the glossy finish makes it perfect for carrying essentials with a touch of elegance.
OnTheGo East West, $4,800, Louis Vuitton
Credit: Louis Vuitton
Much like many of their other bags, the OnTheGo’s silhouette pays tribute to Louis Vuitton’s history as a trunk maker. It’s a practical bag, with enough space and compartments for your everyday needs. It even comes with a zip closure to keep your items secure inside.
Enamel Triangle-Logo Leather Tote Bag, $3,950, Prada from Farfetch
Credit: Farfetch
This glossy leather tote bag comes with beautiful gold belt-like hardware, knot detailing, and long detachable shoulder straps.
This article was originally published on Her World.