Deliciously plush to the touch and notoriously delicate, suede leather occupies a coveted spot in rarified fashion circles come fall and winter. This year, however, it appears to be turning into a fabric for all seasons as suede bags make their appearance on the runway rotation for almost every major fashion house. Here are the designer suede bags you should be nabbing up .
There’s nothing remotely new about suede, that much we know. After all, its use has been recorded from as far back as the Middle Ages, when tanning animal hides grew to become a more refined process for garmentmaking. In essence, suede is made using the underside of animal skins, which helps to achieve a softer and more supple hand feel.
However, this material was also considerably more delicate by comparison, restricting its applications to small accessories such as gloves. It wouldn’t be until the eco-conscious hippie movement popularised during the 1960s and 1970s that would bring about a mass consumer interest in suede, owing to the concurrent rise in popularity of natural fibres in fashion.
Suede would feature in everything from jackets to pants, and of course, shoes as well as handbags. Such was its popularity that a synthetic alternative known as Ultrasuede was introduced in 1970 to allow more consumers to enjoy the feel of suede without the prohibitive price tag that typically came with it. American designer Halston most famously featured the use of Ultrasuede in several of his collections after first discovering it through Japanese designer Issey Miyake.
Beyond the groovers and shakers of the bell-bottom disco era, suede’s popularity dwindled within the general collective of the consumer consciousness. Then along came the Olsen twins with their stealth wealth sensibilities at The Row, introducing the now much-loved celebrity staple, the Margaux bowler bag in a muted brown suede. Photographed internationally on the arms of the world’s most notable trendsetters, suede is now once again enjoying its moment in the sun.
Whether it be Balenciaga’s latest Rodeo triumph or Prada’s corporate-core Buckle Bag, let us show you why these designer suede bags are now making such a major comeback as this fall and winter’s most desirable handheld accessories.
Designer suede bags: Our picks for this Fall/Winter’s biggest handbag trend
RM 21048.91
1 /10
The jury is still out on whether The Row’s seminal design, the Margaux, will ever fill the shoes of the Birkin. But one thing is for sure; the fashion community can’t seem to get enough of its casually luxurious insouciance, blending well into the off-duty stealth wealth looks that Hollywood has grown increasingly fond of.
As the latest firestarter of this year’s suede trend, it wasn’t so much the love for suede, as opposed to the general love for the Margaux, that has led to the designer suede bag’s return to the fore. But with a voluminous capacity and a design that looks just as good during a grocery run as it does at the office, it’s no wonder why it’s fast becoming a new fashion staple. Predictably, only two Carolyn-Bessette-approved shades are offered: brown or black, in sizes 10, 15, and 17.
Dimensions: 38cm x 27.9cm x 22.86cm
RM 280001
2 /10
Prada can offer a suitable alternative in the Buckle Bag if the Margaux proves elusive (which it most likely will be, considering thinning inventory across Europe and North America). Making its debut as part of the Spring/Summer 2024 showcase before cementing its permanence in the Milanese label’s lineup in Fall/Winter 2024, this do-it-all tote is on the fast track to becoming the brand’s latest hero design.
Defined by a beltline that sits closest to its topmost border, the Prada Buckle Bag’s removable belt offers a myriad of styling options. Keep it securely buckled down for when the occasion calls for a more upright, conservative look, or undo it after the soiree for laid-back languor. Three open sections afford generous storage, and you do get a crossbody strap in the box too.
Dimensions: 37.5cm x 27.5cm x 14cm
RM 14710
3 /10
One aspect appears to have defined the latest upswing of interest in designer suede bags: soft, supple shapes. Running against the grain of hard-sided tote bags that were exceedingly popular during the late 2010s and early 2020s, loose sacks that drooped, rippled, and contorted to the patterns of everyday life are now the choice du jour for those on the move. Such is Saint Laurent’s Le 5 À 7, which in its latest guise has lost much of its strait-laced stiff upper lip for a supple appeal.
Wearing either a neutral shade of Barley Green or Golden Leaf tan, the suede Le 5 À 7 in the large size checks all the cool girl boxes from its progenitor, but adds the benefit of more carrying capacity than ever before. Full-sized bottles and foldable umbrellas can now be part of your day-to-day arsenal. And considering the nature of suede, the latter is about to be especially useful.
Dimensions: 30cm x 31cm x 13cm
RM 17601
4 /10
Upon Alessandro Michele’s departure from Gucci, the Italian fashion house has taken upon a decidedly more reserved position in the fashion space, a momentum that was first set in place by the internal design team that current Creative Director Sabato De Sarno appears to be following up in suitable style. Out with the frou frou and in with clean lines and supple materials, a methodology reflected in one of his newest creations, the B Bag.
Relatively understated, insofar as Gucci is concerned, the B Bag borrows heavily from the characteristic charm of the house’s eternally beloved Jackie bag. Cutting a similar profile in its hobo shape, the key difference here to note is that it lacks any hardware closure falling over its front fascia, which lends to a more reserved air. Available in pebbled leather, coated canvas, and suede, our pick goes to the latter with its micro Supreme GG embossed details.
Dimensions: 49cm x 45cm x 4cm
RM 22420
5 /10
There’s no talking about stealth wealth without bringing Bottega Veneta into the conversation. Proponents of the label have known about its indisputable quality since time immemorial, best represented by its signature Intrecciato woven leather motif. Since the late 2010s, the brand has experienced tremendous interest from a wider set of luxury consumers thanks to a foundational overhaul by Daniel Lee.
His protege, Matthieu Blazy, has taken up the mantle since Lee’s departure and while keeping pace with the maison’s contemporary codes, managed to inject several new tenets of his own too. With sculptural leather bags being his calling card, the Hop hobo bag is worth a look if you’re thinking of buying into New Bottega. The suede edition is especially luscious, handcrafted out of the label’s signature weave, while featuring a smooth suede lining with a zippered pocket within.
Dimensions: 54cm x 24cm x 13cm
RM 13003
6 /10
Admittedly, French couture house Givenchy has taken a bit of a back seat in the grand scheme of modern fashion as of late, with a toss-up of creative directors that saw Matthew Williams departing earlier this year after just three years in the role. With that said, his tenure was marked by a surprisingly strong roster of edgy accessories, including the Instagram-approved Shark boots and the supple Voyou bag.
While it may not necessarily have earned It Bag status, the Voyou is still a great contender for those looking to buy into the suede movement owing to its gentle proportions that conform to your body when worn on the shoulder. And with minimal hardware when compared to its other siblings, the likelihood of the Voyou outlasting fleeting fashion cycles is amplified.
Dimensions: 40cm x 27cm x 6.5cm
RM 10551.66
7 /10
As capacious, misshapen everyday carryalls make their comeback, you can expect the trend of casual bohemian style to also emerge on the fringes of the fashion radar. Though one can argue that like stealth wealth, it has never truly gone out of style to begin with. Pundits of this easy, breezy, electric aesthetic that champions natural materials and vibrancy will no doubt be familiar with Chloé, whose offerings have typecast the movement since the early aughts.
This is especially true now, with Chemena Kamli at the helm of the storied brand having debuted a fresh, contemporary air that streamlines the Chloé look without taking away from its free-spirited nature. The Marcie Hobo bag is a great example of this, which most notably reimagines the Marcie’s key tassel motifs into a considerably more restrained style, falling across an otherwise unadorned front panel.
Dimensions: 36cm x 29cm x 10cm
RM 2890
8 /10
The name Michael Rider has been tossed about between fashion pundits as of late, and that’s all thanks to his appointment at CELINE after it was announced that Hedi Slimane will be departing from the French fashion house. But prior to his return (Rider had previously served as design director at Celiné for ready-to-wear under Phoebe Philo), the American had taken up leadership duties at Polo Ralph Lauren.
Preppy chic is his claim to fame, as is one of Polo Ralph Lauren’s most popular product of the moment — the ID Bag. Playing well into the trending hobo bag shape, the ID Bag’s half-moon shape and distinctly simple Polo Horse hardware is exactly what stealth wealth fans have been vying for from the label. Naturally, a suede finish only adds to its appeal.
Dimensions: 25.4cm x 25.4cm x 2.54cm
RM 2959
9 /10
Suede leather isn’t confined to the upper echelons of fashion, thankfully. Several entry-level luxury bag brands have also taken note of its popularity and introduced their own renditions of designs that feature the much-loved material. Of these, the DeMellier New York Tote serves up an especially compelling proposition in price and value. Sporting an inverted trapezoidal shape, you get plenty of carrying capacity to start with.
Sling it over your shoulders, and the New York Tote is ready to do battle with the day’s foibles, admirably keeping pace with your style with ease. Of course, keeping in trend with wealth that whispers, it sports only a single piece of hardware and a subtle gold foil embossed logo on its front.
Dimensions: 58cm x 27cm x 14cm
RM 1290
Zara has an upmarket sibling with Italian ambitions, and his name is Massimo Dutti. Though many people may not realise it, the brand is a high-street staple occupying the same space as contemporaries such as Banana Republic and COS. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t founded by anyone named Massimo nor Dutti.
But don’t write it off completely just yet, as if you’re in the market for well-made clothes and accessories that are by visual definition, quiet luxury, this is a great place to start. Their Split Suede and Leather Tote is indicative of this, offering a properly constructed option that can be carried by both its top handles, or a broad crossbody strap. Furthermore, a zippered closure keeps all belongings stowed away safely from prying eyes or hands.
Dimensions: 47cm x 37cm x 15cm