The vintage bag resurgence is no new phenomenon. Ever since Balenciaga’s City/Motorcycle shape re-entered the zeitgeist circa 2021, we’ve been digging up the graves of the vintage bag relics of the 2000s to try and resurrect a new slouchy carry all for all of the fashion girlies to froth.
This year, Chemena Kamali reissued the Chloé Paddington to great success, with It-girls like Daisy-Edgar Jones and eternal style icon Katie Holmes swiftly adopting the style, solidifying one thing we have known for a while: The bags of the 2000s are back, and the bigger and slouchier, the better.
As we collectively gravitate towards shapes and silhouettes that existed on the later end of the aughts, the trend cycle is reflecting this shift, and everything from low-rise jeans, to ponchos, oversized sunglasses, and the slouchy bag have returned. Everyone knows the Balenciaga City bag is one of the most covetable nostalgic shapes on the market right now, both vintage and new.
So ahead, we are rounding up five vintage bags that have made a comeback in the past five years, for your vintage shopping pleasure!
Balenciaga City Bag
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Originally released in 2001 during Nicolas Ghesquière’s tenure at the house, the City was previously known as the Motorcycle City Bag, which came in many different shapes and sizes, but is distinguished best for its slouchy feel, logo-less form, distinct silver or brass studs, and tiny buckles at the corners. In April 2024, Balenciaga re-released that Noughties original as a response to the growing demand on vintage and resale sites. For many fashion enthusiasts, not only was Ghesquière’s tenure quite the marvel, but the City shape is so reminiscent of a specific time, when the It-girls were Kate Moss and Sienna Miller in wedges and round sunglasses and their City Bags slung into the crooks of their arms.
Chloé Paddington
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Back in 2005, the Paddington made its debut on Chloé’s Spring/Summer 2005 runway. Phoebe Philo was at the helm, doing what she does best (creating iconic accessories). The Paddington emerged as a soft leather east-west style bag with a hefty bronze padlock and rounded straps, perfect for the crook of the arm or worn snug on the shoulder. This year, with the growing popularity of Chemena Kamali’s Chloé, the Paddington was reissued by the brand as part of Chloé’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection, and has already established itself as the It bag of 2025.
YSL Mombasa
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The Mombasa was created during Tom Ford’s stint at YSL, and was named after the Kenyan coastal city. When the bag debuted, he reportedly sent it out to 50 editors in total in New York City, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow. And before you know it, according to a New York Times article by Cathy Horyn, once the Mombasa was released, it sold out, and went on to bring 90 million dollars of accessories profit YSL’s way. It’s recent resurgence in the past few years can be both attributed to our growing nostalgia for the noughties (it was released in 2001), and a newfound customer base for that specific shape, thanks to Matthieu Blazy, who, during his stint at Bottega Veneta, sent out an intrecciato bag with a bone-like metal handle called the Sardine Bag for the brand’s Spring 2023 collection, solidifying the Mombasa shape back in the market.
Louis Vuitton Speedy
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Long before Louis Vuitton’s ready-to-wear line was introduced by Marc Jacobs in the 90s, the LV Speedy made its debut in 1930 under the name the Express, and is the bag in this round up that carries the longest history. The classic top-handle was returned to the limelight after Louis Vuitton appointed Pharrell as creative director of menswear, who created re-editions in pops of bright colors for its timely makeover. Now, both new and vintage Speedy’s remain a coveted and timeless piece.
Gucci Indy
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A design that perfectly tapped the bohemian noughties aesthetic that was so rampant at the time, and the foremost reason why this silhouette makes sense today. The Gucci Indy was introduced in 2006 under Frida Giannini’s creative directorship at the Italian house, this slouchy, embellished top handle bag was a fan favorite of It-girls of the time like Mischa Barton, Eva Longoria, Lindsay Lohan and Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen, and is still reasonably priced on resale sites due to its more covert status. Get in quick!
