5 Anti-Trend Handbags From the ’90s That Will Never Go Out of Style

Let’s be honest: not all handbags are created equal. Before the purse collectors claim heresy, it’s worth hearing me out. It’s indisputable that not all trends stand the test of time. Mini bags? Cute until they don’t fit your wallet. Oversized carryalls? Capricious at times. As hard as it can be to admit the truth, there comes a point when you realize that not every type of bag is worth buying into for the long haul. But before the bag ladies lose all hope, there is one category of purses that is worth purchasing: ’90s handbags. Unlike other types of bags that may be beholden to the trend cycle, these bags are a testament to the enduring power of this fashion era.

After all, throughout the nineties, we saw some of the most consequential fashion aesthetics come to fruition, the boom of luxury houses, and the debut of some of the most beloved designer bags ever. With the latter, more specifically, so many shapes soared in popularity that they eventually became synonymous with the period. While we might now live in an entirely new era, these styles have remained an evergreen part of fashion. But you don’t just have to take my word for it, as I’ve scoured the S/S 24 and F/W 24 runways to show the perennial relevance of these purses. Ahead, you’ll find a breakdown of the five types of ’90s handbags that are inherently anti-trend, with shopping recommendations, of course. Rest assured, these bags beat out the rest.

1. East-to-West Bags

One of the defining features of all ’90s handbags is that they typically feature more compact shapes that can be easily nestled between the shoulders and ribcage—case in point: the east-to-west shoulder bag. Characterized by its sleek, elongated shape, the east-to-west bag became popular in the ’90s but has remained a steadfast part of fashion ever since. Its unique shape has allowed it to be a continuous source of inspiration for designers, including in the more recent spring collections of Bottega Veneta, Alaïa, and Ferragamo. No matter what other bag trends are on the horizon, this style remains in plain sight.

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2. Baguette Bags

No other handbag is as widely associated with the ’90s, quite like the baguette. The compact rectangular-shaped purse was first catapulted into the collective consciousness when it surfaced in Fendi’s ’97 collections. Since then, this bag has taken on a life of its own, as it’s been donned by some of our most beloved cultural icons—ahem, Carrie Bradshaw. Plus, we’ve seen the style re-invented in various ways over the years, including in the recent Fendi, Givenchy, and Michael Kors’ spring collections. All of which modernized the baguette shape in their shows by playing with textiles, portions, colors, and even hardware. Through its continuous evolution, the baguette has secured its spot in the cultural zeitgeist and, subsequently, our closets, too.

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3. Barrel Bag

Although one might associate the ’90s with rectangular handbag silhouettes, they were not the only silhouettes in style during that era. In fact, we saw another shape popularized during that period: the barrel bag. Distinguished by its compact cylindrical shape typically made from canvas, Louis Vuitton first debuted the style in ’96 with the release of their Papillon Bag. Since then, the curved shape has not only remained coveted among collectors but has been a continuous part of collections. But don’t be fooled; designers have given this “dated” shape a contemporary bend—e.g., Jil Sander’s F/W 24 show adapted the shape with sharp edges. In contrast, Proenza Schouler used pops of colors and plush leather to make the case for bringing back the barrel bag.

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4. Bowler Bags

While there’s no denying that most of the most popular handbags to come out of the nineties were shoulder bags, there were a few noteworthy hand-held shapes—ahem, the bowler, for example. As the moniker suggests, the retro shape derives its inspiration from the bowling bag; it features a flat bottom with a curved top that’s adorned with top handles. The transition of the purse shape from being primarily associated with sports gear to becoming “high-fashion” was ushered in by the release of Dior’s vibe bag (released in ’97) and Prada’s bowler bag (released in ’00). Since then, we’ve seen bowler bags continue to carve out their own lane in collections—refer to their recent inclusion in Coach’s S/S 24 and Sandy Liang’s F/W 24 shows as proof. No matter what other styles are in play for the season, this handbag trend will always strike out.

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5. Crescent Bags

Lastly, the final bag that’s become synonymous with ‘90s style is the crescent bag. As the moniker suggests, the defining feature of this style is that its shape draws inspiration from circles and ovals, so the edges are often curved upwards slightly or create a half-moon or egg-in-the-hole shape. While the shape first surfaced in the ‘60s, it wasn’t until the late ‘90s that we really saw crescent bags captivate the fashion crowd. In part, the rise in popularity of this purse was due to the release of coveted styles such as Yves Saint Laurent’s Mombasa Bag. However, it also has to do with the fact that designers have continually embraced crescent-shaped bags, including in recent S/S 24 and F/W 24 collections. From Bottega Veneta to Miu Miu to Chloé, there is no shortage of runway shows featuring this ‘90s-inspired handbag shape. Its presence was a reminder that all things circle back into style eventually—especially when they’re as chic as this handbag.