If you thought It bags had lost their cachet, think again. Six designer handbags — from Chloe, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dior, Gucci and Loewe — have put the 1990s obsession back on the map.
As someone who restores these high-ticket items for a living, I appreciate the workmanship that goes into them. Properly cared for, they’ll last a lifetime.
But not everyone can afford to splash out. Which is where the high street comes into its own, with astonishingly good tributes.
Six designer handbags have put the 1990s obsession back on the map. From Chloe, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dior, Gucci and Loewe
Chloe Woody Tote
Chloe’s large canvas and leather Woody Tote (£890, chloe.com) offers quality and longevity
If you must take everything plus the kitchen sink out with you, then Chloe’s large canvas and leather Woody Tote (£890, chloe.com) offers quality and longevity. But I like the Henley Tote from Aspinal (aspinal oflondon.com, from £395) too.
For a fraction of the price:
Bottega Veneta Chain Cassette
This Bottega Veneta Cassette design in parakeet (£3,480, bottegaveneta.com) has wowed the likes of Rihanna
This Bottega Veneta Cassette design in parakeet (£3,480, bottegaveneta.com) has wowed the likes of Rihanna. I love how Zara has used the same bright green but its gorgeous stitched design makes it more of a tribute than a copy (£25.99, zara.com).
For a fraction of the price:
Salvatore Ferragamo Trifolio Top-Handle
Bright colours are big this summer, and the classic design plus that cute top handle makes Salvatore Ferragamo’s Trifolio (£1,735, ferragamo.com) a winner
Bright colours are big this summer, and the classic design plus that cute top handle makes Salvatore Ferragamo’s Trifolio (£1,735, ferragamo.com) a winner. If buying a top-handle bag on the High Street I’d pick the New Look (£19.99, newlook.com) version. Its colour, shape and structure are spot on.
For a fraction of the price:
Gucci GG Marmont Matelasse
Gucci GG Marmont Matelasse shoulder bag in 2017 for £650 has become so popular it now sells for almost twice that (£1,200, gucci.com)
Here is an example of a designer purchase being a great investment. I bought this Gucci GG Marmont Matelasse shoulder bag in 2017 for £650. It’s become so popular it now sells for almost twice that (£1,200, gucci.com).
Fellow fan Kourtney Kardashian will know, as I do, that the crossbody positioning and zip means the contents of this bag feel incredibly safe. I’m impressed with all these High Street tributes. Every woman needs one.
For a fraction of the price:
Loewe basket bag in palm leaf and calfskin
Loewe fans tend to be interested in fashion rather than simply followers of it — you won’t see many celebrities with one of these
Loewe fans tend to be interested in fashion rather than simply followers of it — you won’t see many celebrities with one of these. It’s a great simple design, though (£395, loewe.com) — made from hardwearing raffia. My favourite tribute is this Henrietta Spencer (£69, henriettaspencer.co.uk) one with longer straps.
For a fraction of the price:
Dior Book Tote
The Dior Book Tote (£2,450, dior.com), which debuted in 2018, is starting to cement itself as a classic
The Dior Book Tote (£2,450, dior.com), which debuted in 2018, is starting to cement itself as a classic. Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Alba are fans, and Dior has just released a neon version. The H&M homage (£24.99, hm.com) is a great up-to-the-minute tribute to a future classic.
For a fraction of the price:
- To view The Handbag Clinic’s collection of preowned designer handbags, or to obtain a quote to sell or restore your handbag please visit www.handbagclinic.co.uk.