The Luxury List is a monthly column on all things luxury, exploring cult items from heritage brands, tapping the foremost experts in the fashion space, and doing deep dives into the investment pieces that are worth it.
Conversations about designer handbags typically revolve around one specific phrase: “It bags”. That saying has been less prominent recently, though, replaced by conversations that have turned to quiet luxury bags that combine ease, subtlety, quality craftsmanship, and a lack of prominent logos. This isn’t to say that these bags are completely anonymous, though, despite a lack of branding. Rather, they have an IYKYK quality in the form of signature clasps and silhouettes that only astute fashion observers would recognize.
Though there are a number of cult bags that fall into the camp of quiet luxury, Savette is a noteworthy newcomer. According to Net-a-Porter Market Director Libby Page, its sleek silhouettes are resonating with shoppers. With nearly 600 sales across Net-a-Porter in 2022, Savette is one one of the only brands to successfully break into the luxury bag market across the retailer in a long time—an impressive coup for a rising label that began in 2020. This signals a rise in the quiet luxury category overall, as the label joins the leagues of investment brands including Hermès, Khaite, Celine, and Prada that are as quiet as they are cool.
One of the breakout brands from the last several years, Savette—the brainchild of founder and designer Amy Zurek—is known for its logoless bags that are finished with its signature metal hardware.
Hermès bags are famous for their long waiting lists and mysterious buying practices as much as they’re known for their cult status amongst fashion’s most in-the-know insiders. Kelly bags, in particular, are a style that are practically free of branding and known for their expert craftsmanship.
The metal clasp on Celine’s Triomphe bags take inspiration from the metal chain surrounding the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Otherwise, the bags are retain clean and sleek lines, making them a seasonless, functional, and beautiful piece.
The ’90s are a time defined by pared-back minimalism. That has been distilled into The Row’s ’90s bag—an unfussy, simple leather baguette that has been in such high demand that it now requires a pre-order and months-long wait to receive one.
Inconspicuous, elegant, and unrecognizable except for the subtle “T” clasp, Totême’s T-Lock bag is one of the most notable bag launches in recent memory.
The Prada 1995 Re-Issue bag was famously carried by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy—a fashion icon known for quiet luxury style. Brought back by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the co-designers ushered the timeless bag back into the fashion space, making it one of the key investment buys to own.
At Khaite, Cate Holstein designs pieces for New York women. Among them, the Olivia hobo bag—a style that masters the balance of simplicity and modern cool.
With Matthieu Blazy at the helm of Bottega Veneta, the brand has reached a new level of buzz and has distilled some of its archival design elements (including woven leather) into some truly seasonless bags, including the Arco tote.
With a line of expertly crafted travel-inspired luxury leather goods, London-based brand Métier should be on the top of your radar for timeless pieces to bring on a flight or road trip.
Like the city it’s named for, Saint Laurent’s Manhattan bag is sophisticated, elegant, and timeless.
Named after Lee Radziwill, the eponymous Tory Burch bag mirrors the late fashion icon’s style with its structured silhouette, top handle, and timeless design.
Next: 7 Trends That Will Matter Most in 2023
