The "Dated" Handbag Trend That's Back From the Dead


Even if you're not superstitious, chances are you've had a missed purchase that haunts you. For bag ladies like me, it's those vintage purses we didn't buy during their prime. I'm not talking about discounted designer bags, but niche purse shapes—oversize bowler bags, barrel bags, or any '90s trend—that we obsessively search for, even if they're not coming back in style anytime soon. (I'll be the first to admit that it's not the healthiest habit.)
Thankfully, there's hope this season: the return of frame handbags. Yes, you read that right. Vintage-inspired clasp bags, first popularized in the '50s, are back with their structured silhouettes, visible metal frames, and kiss-lock clasps. Designers have updated the trend with modern details, making it feel cool and fresh again. Think Ferragamo's sleek, patent leather top-handle frame bags from F/W 23 or Coach's oversize kiss-lock coin purses from S/S 25.
Most notably, what makes clasp handbags so irresistible now is the sheer variety of styles available. Whether you're dreaming of sculptural top handles or oversize coin purses, these bags are destined to haunt your dreams—unless you secure one. Ahead, you’ll see examples of the trend on the runway and curated options to buy now.
On the Runway
In the Wild
Shop the Trend

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.
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