The One Specific Bag Style That's Been Quietly Dominating the 2020s
'It' bags are never really forever. They come and go. They rise and rise and then fall and then rise again years later. And while we'd argue no bag is every truly out, it is quite fun to keep up with the bag trends and see what's popular and try to understand why. While lots has changed, we've made a quiet observation that one silhouette that's consistently remained in the fashion zeitgeist for years and that's the top-handle bag.
The top-handle bag comes in many forms but has the distinct characteristic of being a bag with handles that you really have to hold onto. A top-handle bag isn't something you can throw on over your shoulder. You have to firmly grasp it, carrying it with the kind of authority typically reserved for briefcases.
And so it's popularity in the 2020s makes sense. The biggest fashion trends of the moment are the ones that are built for actually living a life. In our hyper online timeline there's been a desire for reality. On the streets of New York and Paris, the most stylish individuals are wearing items that try to demonstrate who they really are outside of the confines of the internet. And a top-handle bag requires real physical touch and most importantly, presence. It also encourages a hands free approach. It's not necessarily easy to doom scroll while walking and holding a top-handle bag.
Top Handle Bag Outfits
But what keeps the top-handle bag in the fashion conversation is no doubt its versatility. There's so many different kind of top-handle bags, it's easy to find one that works for your own aesthetic or personal style. And there's genuinely no wrong way to wear one. Don't believe us? See below for some of our favorite top-handle bag outfits.
What to Look For In a Top-Handle Bag
The most important thing to look for in a top handle bag is a handle that feels sturdy. Because the bag looks best when it's being held, as opposed to be dangling from it's additional crossbody strap, you want something you can really hold onto. Then, since the bag does promote a hands free existence, you need to make sure the bag is big enough for everything you need on the go. Thankfully, most top-handle bags are big enough to carry everywhere.
Below, our favorites on the market right now.
Shop the best top-handle bags, below.
