The 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. While we'd argue no bag is ever truly out, it is quite fun to keep up with the bag trends, see what's popular, and try to understand why. Lots has changed, but we've made a quiet observation that one silhouette has consistently remained in the fashion zeitgeist for years. 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 on to. 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.
Its 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 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 doomscroll while walking and holding a top-handle bag.
Top-Handle-Bag Outfits
What keeps the top-handle bag in the fashion conversation is, no doubt, its versatility. There are so many different kinds of top-handle bags, so 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? Below, see 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 dangling from a crossbody strap, you want something you can really hold on to, and since the bag does promote a hands-free existence, you need to make sure it's big enough for everything you need on the go. Thankfully, most top-handle bags are big enough to carry everywhere.
Below, see our favorites on the market right now.
Shop the best top-handle bags below.
