As a lifelong designer bag lover who has lusted after the It bag season after season, I’ve made it my mission to invest in high end arm candy that I know will last me a lifetime.
The first ever status bag, designed by Giuliana Camerino in 1945 for fashion house Roberta di Camerino, caught the attention of societies elite and Hollywood’s finest.
READ MORE: 6 Shoe Trends For SS22 That Are About to Explode
Creating a stir in the fashion industry, designers everywhere followed suit creating their own status handbags to be seen not only as a high fashion must-have, but an investment worth buying into.
The catwalks of SS22 have looked to the past, unearthed the classics and reinstated their iconic designs for a new generation of bag lovers.
From the phenomenon that is the Le Chiquito teeny tiny bag by Jacquemus, the nineties love affair with the baguette bag thanks to Carrie Bradshaw, and a waiting list along with eye-watering price tag for a Birkin, the trend for an iconic bag is here to stay.
When thinking about investing in a designer bag it’s important to remember that research is key.
Back in the day when I worked as a fashion assistant (on a pretty tight budget) and was surrounded by fashion editors and their designer delights, I decided to make it my mission to know the bag to buy for the following season.
I researched the bags and their designers, worked out the budget I could realistically afford in the six months I had to save, and above all, if I honestly hand-on-heart knew I would love forever.
Designer bag prices may feel high to begin with – and they are, but breaking it down into price per wear will ease the initial pinch your purse may feel to begin with. If you buy it now and wear it for more than 20 years, broken down like that it doesn’t sound so bad.
READ MORE: LFW Might Be Over, But You Can Now Get Tickets to the Fashion Awards
What I love about the designer handbag is it’s ability to become the focus of any outfit, lifting it immediately, raising its fashion game and updating every item in your wardrobe for years to come.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that if you buy wisely these investment pieces can appreciate as time goes by, increasing in value along with your style status year after year.
With 20 years in the industry and 18 years after buying my first designer bag, I still own and take care of the purchases I made as an assistant.
The genius of the designer bag is that it will never date, and if for whatever reason it’s not quite right for a moment in time, it will without a doubt come full circle.
The moral of this story is: invest when you can and reap the rewards for years to come.
So which are worth buying in 2022? From the bucket bag to the tote, here’s a guide to the designer bags to invest in this year.
READ MORE: The Best Designer Outlets in the UK For Thrifty Shoppers
Wear Next may receive a small commission if you click a link from one of our articles onto a retail website and make a purchase.
For fashion advice and chit-chat, join our Facebook group What To Wear Next or follow us on Instagram.
Balenciaga’s Le Cagole Shoulder Bag
Le Cagole S shoulder bag, £1,750, Balenciaga – buy now
Balenciaga’s Le Cagole brings Y2K style into the present day with a modern twist.
With celebrity fans including Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa, it comes in an array of colours, but black seems to be the most popular amongst the stars.
Prada’s brushed leather Cleo bag
Cleo leather shoulder bag, £1,950, Prada – buy now
This bag needs no introduction. The Cleo from Prada comes in a variety of ridiculously beautiful prints and patterns, from bright yellow to bejewelled.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting and versatile option, opt for the bag in black.
Saint Laurent’s Le 5 à 7 bag
Le 5 à 7, £1,510, Saint Laurent – buy now
If you buy one bag this year, let it be this beauty. It’s the perfect work-to-party piece that will turn heads instantly.
Gucci’s Jackie 1961 shoulder bag
Small Jackie 1961 shoulder bag, £1,650, Gucci – buy now
Jackie 1961 shoulder bag, £1,950, Gucci – Buy now
The Jackie 1961 is a reimagined classic, with a beautiful gold closure.
It first appeared in – you guessed it – 1961, and was named after Jackie O. Alessandro Michele reintroduced the iconic bag with a modern update.
Dior’s saddle bag
The Saddle Bag, £2,800, Dior – Buy Now
Making its debut on John Galliano’s SS20 Dior catwalk the saddle bag makes a comeback every few years, life long fans include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Bella Hadid.
Fendi’s baguette bag
The Baguette Bag, £1,757, Fendi [Pre-Owned] at Farfetch.com – Buy Now
Revisit the original baguette bag and buy pre-owned with Farfetch.com’s selection of vintage designs.
