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The Timeless Baguette Bag Gets an Exaggerated Update—Shop the New Silhouette

There’s a new bag trend in town, but how new is it?

By Elena Plumb and Madison Rexroat
alaia teckel bagpinterest
Raimonda Kulikauskiene

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Without a doubt, ’90s fashion is enjoying a resplendent resurgence, and with so many trends creeping their way back into the limelight, we’d be remiss not to discuss one of the most iconic symbols of all: the baguette bag. Originating from the house of Fendi in 1997, the baguette bag made waves with its sophisticated, compact silhouette, designed to be carried under the arm like, well, a French baguette. The bag became more than an accessory—a cultural phenomenon—gracing the arms of ’90s icons like Kate Moss and frequently popping up in dialogue on the hit TV show Sex and the City.

Baguette bags are having a renaissance of their own, with an exaggerated, east-west silhouette popping up everywhere from Alaia to Coach. This new iteration also fits easily under the arm, and some wearers might argue they could fit actual baguettes inside them. The industry-wide lean into proportion play is important to keep in mind here, as silhouettes that stand out are essential in any sector, but especially in a world saturated with wannabe It bags. This silhouette feels fresh and chic, with a simplicity that’s easily translatable from luxury to commercial markets.

  • Le Teckel Bag

    The New It-Bag

    Alaia Le Teckel Bag

    $2,490 at maison-alaia.com
    Read more
  • Caroline Bag

    The Vegan Option

    Freja Caroline Bag

    Read more
  • Cropped Puzzle Fold Bag

    The Trendsetter

    Loewe Cropped Puzzle Fold Bag

    Read more
  • Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag

    The Statement Baguette

    Courreges Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag

    Read more
  • Brown Bessette Crinkle Bag

    The Patent Baguette

    Marge Sherwood Brown Bessette Crinkle Bag

    Read more

In celebration of the designer bag’s enduring appeal, we’ve curated a selection of the best east-west, baguette bags that exude both nostalgia and a modern allure. After all, the baguette is more than a bag; it’s a testament to the fact that even the buzziest trends can withstand the test of time and evolve in new and exciting ways. Shop our favorite new styles below.

The New It-Bag

Alaia Le Teckel Bag

Le Teckel Bag
The New It-Bag

Alaia Le Teckel Bag

$2,490 at maison-alaia.com

Alaia’s east-west Le Teckel bag is perhaps the best example of the trend. Its sleek design is just exaggerated enough to make a statement. What’s the statement? “It’s Alaia.”

Dimensions: Height: 4.3 inches; width: 13 inches; depth: 4 inches

Material: 100% goatskin

The Vegan Option

Freja Caroline Bag

Caroline Bag
The Vegan Option

Freja Caroline Bag

For those who prefer vegan leather but still want to get in on the trend, try Freja’s version of the baguette.

Dimensions: Height: 5.8 inches; width: 11.6 inches; depth: 2.8 inches

Material: Pebbled vegan ultra-fiber leather

The Trendsetter

Loewe Cropped Puzzle Fold Bag

Cropped Puzzle Fold Bag
The Trendsetter

Loewe Cropped Puzzle Fold Bag

A trendsetter in accessories, Loewe’s version of the trend simply had to make this list. This one also happens to be in what will be a huge color for the upcoming season: khaki.

Dimensions: Height: 4.9 inches; width: 15.4 inches; depth: 4.8 inches

Material: Calfskin

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The Statement Baguette

Courreges Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag

Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag
The Statement Baguette

Courreges Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag

With its bright, lipstick-red colorway and streamlined design, this Courreges baguette is the perfect simple statement bag.

Dimensions: Height: 4.25 inches; width: 11 inches; depth: 1.75 inches

Material: Calf leather

The Patent Baguette

Marge Sherwood Brown Bessette Crinkle Bag

Brown Bessette Crinkle Bag
The Patent Baguette

Marge Sherwood Brown Bessette Crinkle Bag

Combine the east-west trend with crinkled patent leather, and you get two trends in one, so really, it’s a steal to buy this Marge Sherwood bag. That’s girl math, right?

Dimensions: Height: 5 inches; width: 10 inches; depth: 1.75 inches

Material: Leather

The Chic East-West

Khaite The Simona Shoulder Bag

The Simona Shoulder Bag
The Chic East-West

Khaite The Simona Shoulder Bag

In our opinion, Khaite is another brand whose accessories are underrated. Its answer to the east-west silhouette is this ultra-minimalist, chic shoulder bag in cedar.

Dimensions: Height: 5 inches; width: 14 inches; depth: 2.4 inches

Material: 100% Calfskin

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The Corporate-Core Bag

Bostanten Top Handle Purse

Top Handle Purse
The Corporate-Core Bag

Bostanten Top Handle Purse

Grey will be everywhere the next few seasons, as part of the corporate-core trend. An easy way to incorporate it into your wardrobe is through your bag in, you guessed it, an east-west silhouette.

Dimensions: Height: 7 inches; width: 14 inches; depth: 5 inches

Material: Leather

The Original

Fendi Baguette

Baguette
The Original

Fendi Baguette

Of course, we have to mention the originator of the baguette: Fendi. Even its classic styles come in a slightly more exaggerated length while still maintaining the fan-favorite silhouette.

Dimensions: Height: 6.6 inches; width: 9.8 inches; depth: 2.3 inches

Material: Hammered calfskin leather

The Elevated Option

Jil Sander Cannolo Small

Cannolo Small
The Elevated Option

Jil Sander Cannolo Small

You can't go wrong with a Jil Sander bag. Always one to make a trend timeless, this version of the baguette is sleek and chic.

Dimensions: Height: 4.3 inches; width: 11.5 inches; depth: 3.9 inches

Material: 100% Calf Leather

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The Ultimate It-Bag

Prada Medium Leather Handbag

Medium Leather Handbag
The Ultimate It-Bag

Prada Medium Leather Handbag

There’s an obsession with belts in recent seasons, which makes this Prada style the ultimate It bag, with its belted accents and sleek, clean colorway.

Dimensions: Height: 6 inches; width 12.5 inches; depth: 4.7 inches

Material: Leather

The Subtle Look

ASPHODELCHIC Black Shoulder Bag

Black Shoulder Bag
The Subtle Look

ASPHODELCHIC Black Shoulder Bag

Simple and classic, a black baguette will always be a good staple to have. Go the subtly trendy route with this slightly exaggerated version of the bag.

Dimensions: Height 4.7 inches; width: 11 inches; depth 3.5 inches

Material: PU leather

The Tote

Ferragamo East-West Tote Bag

East-West Tote Bag
The Tote

Ferragamo East-West Tote Bag

With just a touch more space than other east-west bags, this Ferragamo bag is considered a tote, so throw in your essentials and seize the day.

Dimensions: Height: 6.6 inches; width 9.8 inches; depth: 5.1 inches

Material: Hammered calfskin leather

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The Classic

Coach Hamptons Bag

Hamptons Bag
The Classic

Coach Hamptons Bag

Coach is a go-to when it comes to handbags, so, naturally, it has a suitable baguette to get in on the trend—which also manages to stay timeless.

Dimensions: Height: 5.25 inches; width 10.25 inches; depth: 1.25 inches

Material: Glove-tanned leather

The Slouchy Baguette

Neous Scorpius Bag

Scorpius Bag
The Slouchy Baguette

Neous Scorpius Bag

Is it possible to have a slouchy east-west bag? According to Neous, it sure is.

Dimensions: Height: 7.8 inches; width: 15.7 inches; depth: 7.8 inches

Material: LWG Certified Calf Leather

The Trendy Option

JW PEI Lily Shoulder Bag

Lily Shoulder Bag
The Trendy Option

JW PEI Lily Shoulder Bag

JW Pei is quick with trends, and this one is no exception. At an accessible price point, this is an easy entryway into the trend.

Dimensions: Height: 6.5 inches; width: 13.8 inches; depth: 2.3 inches

Material: Vegan leather

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