A Gucci Bag Is Forever, But These Top 6 Styles Feel Especially Current

The esteemed House of Gucci, which began as a luxury luggage brand after founder Guccio Gucci's brief stint as a bellhop, has become one of the most recognizable and covetable brands in history. Gucci bags have adorned the wrists of some of the most powerful women in history, including Princess Diana, Jackie Onassis, and Grace Kelly, etching a permanent mark on the culture and making each Gucci bag a small piece of fashion history.

Under the helm of former Creative Director Alessandro Michele, Gucci's heritage styles evolved from grown-up and sexy (a direction emblematic of the Tom Ford era) to Geek Chic–inspired. During his tenure, Michele reintroduced classic silhouettes like the Jackie and created new ones like the Dionysus, which quickly garnered a cult following. Everything released under Michele's direction was tied to a long history of winning designs, so it was a surprise to many when he left the Italian fashion house in late 2022. While there's no telling what buzzy items new Creative Director Sabato De Sarno will become notorious for, a few timeless Gucci bags will remain favorites for years to come. 

Keep scrolling to read more about the storied House of Gucci, fun facts about each of the six bag styles, and, of course, the most coveted styles currently on the market.

1. Gucci Jackie

Crafted from naturally tanned leather without the use of chemicals, the Jackie bag only gets more lived in and supple with time. The latest iteration of the style adds a practical, modern second shoulder strap to use as a crossbody. This beautiful bag can also be customized with your initials in gold.

Fun fact: Originally, this bag was named the "Fifties Constance” and was only renamed "Jackie” after Jacqueline Kennedy used it to block paparazzi from taking photos of her. Almost 80 years later, this style is still as timeless as ever and reminiscent of the contemporary American style that has influenced so many designers.

Harry Styles has worn the Jackie bag, ushering in a new gender-fluid era that is so Gucci.

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2. Gucci Diana

The Diana bag was named after the beloved Princess Diana, who could be found wearing the style everywhere, from the gym to school drop-offs to formal events. Michele reintroduced the classic ’90s bag in 2021 on what would have been Princess Diana’s 60th birthday, reinforcing that everything he made for the house during his tenure was imbued with meaning and dedication to the heritage of the brand. Since then, it’s been spotted on everyone from the always-glam J.Lo to the aspirationally bohemian Sienna Miller.

Fun fact: The bamboo handle was originally created in 1947 out of necessity due to a trade embargo during World War II. Due to a resulting leather shortage, Gucci artisans experimented with several different materials, including wicker, raffia, and bamboo, which they eventually discovered could be bent into a handle with heat and sealed into place using a now-patented burnishing process. The removable neon rubber bands placed over the handles in the 2021 version of the Diana bag are a nod to the bands originally used to keep the handles in their bent shape.

Why we love it: The rich history surrounding the Diana bag makes it a piece of history that will never depreciate in sentimental value.

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3. Gucci Horsebit 1955

The horse-bit hardware is just as iconic as Gucci’s signature GG logo and has a registered trademark from the U.S. Patent Office to prove it. The double ring and bar design was birthed after Aldo Gucci (played by Al Pacino in House of Gucci) noticed an increasing interest among the equestrian elite due to lore around his father’s original job as an alleged saddlemaker. Aldo leaned into the tale, weaving equestrian references into the fabric of Gucci, including the horse-bit clasp. 

Fun fact: A horse bit is a mouthpiece used to foster communication between horse and rider. 

Why we love it: While monogrammed prints deserve a special seat in fashion history, there is something so elegant about a non-logo design that is just as identifiable. The Horsebit bag exudes a quiet confidence that we could use more of in this world.

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4. Gucci Dionysus

The Dionysus bag was first revealed to the world to much fanfare at one of Michele’s first runway shows in 2015. The Greek god of pleasure and revelry, Dionysus (also known as Bacchus), is embodied in the bag’s clasp, which depicts his fabled chariot flanked by a double-headed tiger. But for all of this bag’s whimsical ethos, it has an equal amount of practicality. This architecturally mindful bag was engineered with accordion pockets that expand to maximize storage space, and it features a convertible chain strap that can be worn over the shoulder or as a crossbody. 

Fun fact: The metal clasp is in the shape of a horseshoe, which refers back to Gucci’s aristocratic roots that became synonymous with equestrian design elements.

Why we love it: The Dionysus bag harkens back to a time in Greco-Roman history marked by intellectual advancement and artistic development.

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5. Gucci Ophidia

Back in 2018, the introduction of the Ophidia bag placed vintage Gucci in the forefront. Michele combined the Italian house’s most classic design elements to create an entirely new bag. What makes the Ophidia new is the GG logo, which was previously reserved for the GG Marmont collection. These vintage-style bags hold a spot in Gucci’s fast rise to prominence, which makes them a trend-proof style with lasting power. Your future kids will thank you.

Fun fact: The previously mentioned sanctions placed on Italy during World War II are also to thank for the classic GG Supreme monogram pattern that’s featured on nearly all Ophidia bags. This canvas fabric allowed designers to get around using highly-taxed leather and quickly became a mainstay of the brand. 

Why we love it: The Ophidia bag comes in several modern shapes, from spheres to half-moons.

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6. Gucci GG Marmont

The youngest child of the bunch, the GG Marmont bag takes inspiration from '70s glamour and one of the most buzz-worthy hotels in history, L.A.'s very own Chateau Marmont. These bags are made from matelassé leather in a pattern meant to resemble hand-stitched quilts made in Marseilles, France. All versions of the GG Marmont feature a sliding chain to transform the bag from a shoulder bag into a crossbody. An added plus is the leather piece that sits on your shoulder for more comfort.

Fun fact: The two interlocking Gs that have become so synonymous with Gucci’s brand represent founder Guccio Gucci’s initials. 

Why we love it: This staple bag is a peek into Michele’s aesthetic genius, combining rock and roll and classic style to create a bag that will stand the test of time.

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This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated.