From Easy Elegance to All-Out Boho, These Are the Bags to Keep on Your Style Radar In 2025

Yes, it’s now March, and the sun is shining brighter than ever! And before we get ready to choose our handbags for the year, let’s look back into 2024 to revel in the cult, hype, and delight of Alaïa Le Teckel, The Row Margaux, Bottega Veneta Andiamo, Miu Miu Aventure, and Moschino Baguette and Celery bags. For 2025, we have designers and brands build onto the cultural and cult success of the past handbags with elevated tweaks in shape, texture, and colour in an array of contrasts, i.e., sleek or slouch, streamlined elegance or all-out boho, classic or eccentric, and practical or playful. So, let’s find out the bags destined for cult status for 2025.

Alaïa Le Teckel (Fishnet Leather) (Rs.2,45,397) and Alaïa Le Teckel Flap (Leopard Calf Hair) (Rs.4,24,424)

As the reign of the east-west bags continues, Alaïa Le Teckel continues to be at the forefront of this phenomenon, especially with the introduction of this signature dachshund-inspired silhouette in fishnet leather, denim, and suede along with the slightly bigger and angular ‘Flap’ version. And not just Alaïa, many others are betting on this exaggerated horizontal shape, like Lovebirds Luca Bordeaux, Mugler Fang Bag, and Benedetta Bruzziches Mame. Whether slung over the shoulder or nestled in the crooks of our arm, this sartorial rise of east-west bags has also made way for a rather streamlined elegance with an effortless retro spin, courtesy of shoulder grazers, doctor bags, and bowling bags. Amidst this alluring range of handbag styles, we have Delvaux Tempête To Go, Khaite Cate, Stella McCartney Ryder, Magda Butrym Brigitte, Valentino Garavani 9to5 Shoulder Bag, and Songmont Yore Bowling Bag piquing our interest with their distinctive design and textural details.

Lovebirds Luca Bordeaux (Rs.35,900), Mugler Fang Bag (Rs.1,26,100), and Benedetta Bruzziches Mame (Rs.1,41,619)

Delvaux Tempête To Go (Price On Request), Valentino Garavani 9to5 Shoulder Bag (Rs.3,34,510), and Khaite Cate Python Bag (Price On Request)

Songmont Yore Bowling Bag (Chestnut Suede) (Rs.53,300), Stella McCartney Ryder Shoulder Bag (Rs.1,79,026.50), and Magda Butrym Brigitte Bag (Rs.2,50,800)

With the predominant theme of contrasts being in the play for 2025, soft, slouchy silhouettes are here to bring a rather nonchalant vibe than their structured counterparts – case in point: Moonray Lune, Bottega Veneta Ciao Ciao, Chanel 25, J.W. Anderson Loafer Bag, Ferragamo Soft Bag, and Tory Burch Romy. Also, a very special mention for the viral Coach XL Kisslock bags that sold out, even before their intended launch. Well, if you couldn’t get yourself one of those supersized kisslock bags, hope fashion gods (or rather Coach!) bring them back with another drop.

Ferragamo Soft Bag (FW’25) and Tory Burch Romy (FW’25)

J.W. Anderson Loafer Bag (Rs.1,33,200), Chanel 25 (Price On Request), and Bottega Veneta Ciao Ciao (Price On Request)

Coack Large Kisslock Frame Bag and Moonray Lune Mini Bag (Rs.24,800)

While you can embrace the classic-cool aesthetics with the sleek or slouch bags, you can switch to more playful energy with eccentric shapes and textural and gilded hardware details (like fringes, metal appliqué, and belts). So, if you prefer fringed benefits, Isabel Marant Oskan Soft Zipped Bag and Fendi Peekaboo Fringed Soft Medium Bag would be your definite 2025 favourites, after all, textured fringing is a little western and a little boho, but a whole lot of movement and play. And for those who prefer some standout drama, embrace the head-turning elegance of decorative applique and hardware or belted closure with Erdem Bloom, Aje Alessia Flower Clutch, Prada Donna Buckle Bag, Kanika Goyal Buckle Bag, and Balmain Anthem. Then, in the delightful yet eccentric category, Moschino Spaghetti and Vino Bags, Simone Rocha Pear Duck Bag, and Cult Gaia Mela Clutch serve a perfect blend of functionality and whimsy.

Isabel Marant Oskan Soft Zipped Bag (Rs.1,46,714), Prada Donna Buckle Bag (Rs.3,31,549), and Fendi Peekaboo Fringed Soft Medium Bag (Price On Request)

Erdem Bloom (FW’25) and Moschino Spaghetti & Vino Bags (FW’25)

Balmain Anthem Medium Bag (Rs.1,84,266.30) and Simone Rocha Pear Duck Bag (Rs.55,934.11)

Aje Alessia Flower Clutch (Rs.30,129), Cult Gaia Mela Clutch (Rs.71,600), and Kanika Goyal ‘Blue Nexi’ Buckle Bag (Rs.46,500)

Continuing fashion’s habit of creating a moment of nostalgia, brands have riffled through their archives to make way for the return of the beloved handbags of the past. For instance, Chloé Paddington Bag (first introduced by Phoebe Philo in 2005), Gucci Softbit (a contemporary take on the 1970s archival emblem – the half Horsebit), Louis Vuitton X Murakami (first launched under Marc Jacobs in 2003), and Loewe Featherlight Puzzle Bag (a light as feather iteration for its 10th anniversary). Yes, the spirit of Y2K is never ever leaving us again!

Gucci Softbit (FW’25) and Chloé Paddington Bag (FW’25)

Louis Vuitton X Murakami Cherry Blossom Papillon (Price On Request) and Loewe Featherlight Small Puzzle Bag (Price On Request)

From shade to shape, texture to hardware, and the icons renaissance – this year is bringing a fascinating variation in bags to find that sartorial mate for work, travel, and fun. And most importantly, which one (or more!) are you betting on as the cult bag of 2025?

All Images Courtesy of Respective Brands

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