The 7 Most Popular ’90s and Y2K Bags That Are Making a Comeback

90s and Y2K bags trend

While many of these bags are being reissued in current collections due to their increasing popularity, the most covetable bags are being sourced from the archive. The demand for these pre-loved designer bags has never been greater and highlights the value in investing in quality pieces that have the potential to regain momentum and longevity.

In with the old, out with the new: from the Dior Saddle bag and the Balenciaga City bag to the Fendi Baguette and the Prada Nylon styles. These seven 90s and 2000s bag designs have reclaimed their It-bag status and are the perfect styles to invest in this year.

The Fendi Baguette bag

If any bag is synonymous with the 1990s, it is the Fendi Baguette bag. The style was launched in 1997 and is designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, who was inspired by the French holding their baguettes as a daily accessory under the arms. The rectangular bag with recognizable double F-logo clasp had its heyday in the 1990s partly due to the style of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw played by Sarah Jessica Parker, who famously stated: “It’s a Baguette.”

This year the iconic style celebrated its 25th anniversary and returned to the runway in new iterations through collaborations with jewellery house Tiffany & Co., Marc Jacobs, and, of course, Sarah Jessica Parker.

The Dior Saddle bag

One of the most recognizable bags of the French house Dior was not designed by monsieur Dior himself, but by British designer John Galliano. Designed for Spring/Summer 2000, the Dior Saddle bag was technically not released in the nineties but is reminiscent of the late 90s style that endured at the beginning of the 2000s. Covered with the famous Dior logo, the bag quickly made its way to the arms of many style makers like, again, Carrie Bradshaw, who would wear the bag in many different designs. The style has been re-released by Dior’s current creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri since 2018, and it has been popular ever since.

The Hermès Kelly bag

Robert Dumas, the son-in-law of Hermès-founder Émile Hermès, created one of the most popular bags ever known; the Hermès Kelly bag. Although the style was created in 1923 and re-designed by then-creative director Dumas in 1935, the bag gained popularity in the 50s, mainly due to Grace Kelly. Originally named “Sac-à-Depêches” it wasn’t until 1977 that the house decided to rename its bag after the most glamorous woman who wore it. After that period the bag lost slightly in attraction but made a stylish resurgence in the 1990s. It became one of the most exclusive collectible accessories, which is still the case to this day. Read on in our complete guide on the Hermès Kelly bag’s history.

The Balenciaga City bag

Balenciaga’s former creative director Nicolas Ghesquière created one of the most covetable Balenciaga bags ever in 2001. Known for its bulky form completed with details like long leather tassels, little buckles, silver studs, and even a small mirror, the City bag became a sought-after style, even though it was not meant to be available to retail. Stylish women like Kate Moss and the Olsen twins were spotted wearing one of the 25 pieces that were made just for the runway. Due to high demand, the bag was released and its coolness and simplicity still resonate with people today. So much so that the bag was reissued last year by creative director Demna Gvasalia. 

Prada Nylon bag

The Prada Nylon bag is another design that recently experienced a revival since its debut in 1984. Originally designed by Miuccia Prada, the bag was quite unconventional for a luxury fashion house like Prada, especially regarding the house’s expertise in leather goods. The popularity of the bag however proved that practicality and luxury can work together without having to lose allure.  Despite its initial popularity, Prada’s nylon range had a hard time maintaining momentum until the 90s and zeroes. Because the bag is now again one of the most sought-after vintage styles, Prada launched its Re-Edition 2000 and 2005 and the 2019 Re-Nylon designs.

Louis Vuitton Monogram bags

Louis Vuitton is mostly known for its famous LV monogram, a pattern designed by Louis Vuitton’s son Georges Vuitton as an ode to his father. The interlocking symbol of the L and V was created in 1896 and has been featured on many bags of the French house ever since. Specific styles like the Louis Vuitton Speedy and the Louis Vuitton Neverfull have had quite a long momentum and resurfaced again in the late 90s and early zeroes. Now that logomania is still happening due to the current Y2K trend, the Louis Vuitton bags with one of the most recognizable monograms in the world are regaining attraction due to their timeless style. 

The Chanel Grand Shopping Tote

Chanel is widely known for some of the most iconic bags of all time, but there is one specific style that had its heyday in the early zeroes and was discontinued in 2015. The Chanel Grand Shopping Tote – also known as the GST – was launched in the late ’90s in a wide variety of different colours, the classic black and vibrant red being one of the most iconic ones. The boxy and structured design of the tote in combination with some of the most classic Chanel elements such as the CC logo, diamond quilt stitching, and leather chain straps, made it both sophisticated and practical. Due to its discontinuation, the GST is one of the most sought-after Chanel styles on the pre-loved market to this date.

Nostalgia, but make it chic: Browse our full selection of pre-owned designer bags from the early 90s up to now.