“It’s not a bag, it’s a baguette” is one of Sarah Jessica Parker’s most iconic quotes. The actress who brought Carrie Bradshaw to life is also credited for making the baguette an ‘it’ bag in the 1990s. One of her most iconic and memorable accessories was the Fendi baguette bag, which she frequently carried on the show.
It’s no surprise that the iconic bag is making a comeback. With Fendi partnering with SJP on a limited-edition baguette bag, we’re officially calling it one of the must-have bags of the moment.
Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in a 2019 ad campaign for Fendi promoting the Fendi Baguette (Credit: Fendi)
But what is a baguette bag? Trust us. It’s not a bag to carry your freshly cooked bread. We’re sharing everything you need to know about this classic ‘it’ bag, how to pronounce the name, and why they’re back in Vogue. Grab your credit card. This bag needs a spot in your closet.
Exploring the Icon: The Origins and Rise of the Baguette Bag
The original baguette bag was designed in 1997 by Silvia Venturini Fendi. Like all classic bags, the distinctive silhouette quickly found its way into the collection of almost every major designer.
This compact bag soon found itself on the arm of every supermodel and celebrity in Hollywood.
Silvia Venturini Fendi (R), who introduced the Fendi Baguette bag in 1997, with her friend Karl Lagerfeld at the Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 21, 2017, in Milan, Italy (Credit: FashionStock / Shutterstock)
It’s largely considered one of the original ‘it’ bags after creating a fashion frenzy by being the go-to bag of choice for Carrie Bradshaw during the height of Sex and the City’s fame. You pronounce baguette as “buh-get” – if you’re not a native French speaker!
The beauty of the baguette is that they come in every size and aesthetic. The popularity of the baguette bag is what eventually led LVHM to buy Fendi in 1999. The brand honored the baguette on its 15th birthday in 2012 with an exhibition in its Paris flagship.
The Resurgence of Baguette Bags: A Timeless Trend Reborn
Yes! In recent seasons, luxury fashion houses have revisited their archives to re-issue classic styles. Gucci did this with the Jackie bag, while Prada did it with their nylon bags from the early 2000s.
Fendi reimagined their baguette bag for their spring/summer 2019 collection, and it’s re-established itself as a must-have bag ever since.
It’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants a mini bag but needs to be able to carry more than lipstick and a credit card. If you want to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and step back into the ‘90s, the baguette bag is perfect for you. It’s versatile, classic, and effortlessly chic.
Fendi is famous for classic bags such as Peekaboo, Mon Tresor, and Baguette (Credit: Report / Shutterstock)
Another reason why baguette bags have come back in style is the Y2K trend. Everything from the early-2000s is finding its way back onto the runway. As the bag has been around for 20 years, it’s even more popular as a style you can easily find on the pre-loved market.
What makes the baguette so popular is its versatility. It’s the right size to hold everything you need without weighing down your arm. It’s just as chic as carrying a French baguette under your arms through the streets of Paris. You’ll find a baguette bag in every texture and color of the rainbow.
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to baguette bags. Whether you want to splurge on a Fendi or buy a similar style from a mid-tier brand. The baguette has stood the test of time – just as iconic as it was over two decades ago. If you want to invest in your closet, a baguette bag is a must-have.
With so many styles to choose from, we’re rounding up some of the best baguette bags to buy right now.
1. Celine Ava Bag in Triomphe Canvas and Calfskin Tan, $1,400
If you want the Fendi look but with a slightly more attainable price tag, go to Celine. This classic French fashion house offers its take on the baguette bag with Ava.
Celine’s baguette bag is an affordable alternative to Fendi’s more expensive original
It’s an understated style with its Triomphe canvas and calfskin trimmings. This bag captures the style’s effortless Parisian chic.
It’s an ideal choice for an entry-level luxury handbag, especially if you want a wearable everyday style. Its adjustable leather strap offers a 9-inch drop to make it easy to carry on your shoulder or by hand.
You can customize the Ava bag and make it your own with one of Celine’s matching gold charms that incorporate the brand’s classic motifs.
2. Jimmy Choo Varenne Hobo, $1,295
One of the most unique bags on our list is the Vareene hobo by Jimmy Choo. As it’s a smaller hobo bag, it falls into the baguette category.
It has a structured silhouette with a sleek leather handle and detachable Plexi chain for a contemporary twist.
Jimmy Choo satchel crafted in Italy from lime patent textured leather and finished with an adjustable strap
This bag has a distinctive lime patent textured leather and a signature interlocking silver JC monogram.
Unlike the baguette, it doesn’t feature a zipper closure and instead uses a chain trim and leather-covered magnet. It’s a great choice if you want a bag with a similar silhouette to the baguette without buying one from Fendi.
3. Fendi Nano Baguette Charm, $750
Who can resist a mini bag? Whether you have a mini-me or want a handbag the size of a charm, this baguette is a showstopper.
The nano version of the iconic baguette bag comes with a magnetic clasp and can be attached to larger bags using the gold metal clip.
Fendi’s iconic Baguette bag in Nano version with flap and FF fastening with magnetic clasp
It’s one of the most affordable ways to get your hands on a new baguette bag. This nano version is in the same purple sequins as the recent Fendi x SJP bag.
4. Cult Gaia Damara Leather Shoulder Bag, $209 on Farfetch
One of the most affordable bags on this list is by Cult Gaia. It sits at just over $300 and has a crocodile-effect texture. It takes a similar shape to the original baguette bag but with a single shoulder strap.
Cult Gaia’s raffia and pebble leather Damara Bag in Mint can be carried on the shoulder as a mini silhouette
This bag is a perfect choice if you want to give the baguette style a trial run before committing to a Fendi.
5. Gucci Ophidia GG Mini Bag, $950 on Farfetch
Not all luxury baguette bags come with a four-figure price tag. One of the most attainable styles comes from Gucci.
Their ‘Ophidia’ GG mini bag offers a crescent silhouette and features the brand’s signature monogram canvas. It’s a callback to the ‘90s in both its silhouette and print.
Gucci’s Ophidia crescent-shaped mini bag is crafted from the House’s monogram canvas
What we love about this bag is its low environmental impact due to its GG Supreme canvas. It also features the brand’s signature green and red web at the bottom and two interior card slots.
6. By Far Rachel Croc-Effect Leather Shoulder Bag, $495 on Net-a-Porter
This baguette bag is named after another ‘90s icon – Rachel Green from Friends. It’s BY FAR’s answer to the baguette bag and is one of the most affordable bags on this list.
The Rachel croc-effect leather shoulder bag has a slim shoulder strap and cotton-twill interior with enough room for your cell phone, cardholder, and compact
It pays homage to the bag that Jennifer Aniston’s character carried for most of the sitcom. This slim shoulder bag is finished with a cream croc-effect leather and cotton interior that is the perfect size for carrying your daily essentials.
You’ll find dozens of different styles of this baguette bag from BY FAR. You can keep it simple with a slim strap or add a detachable metal chain for a streetwear twist.
7. Fendi Baguette 1997 Beige Split Leather Bag
We can’t do a round-up of the best baguette bags to buy without mentioning this one. Logomania was one of the biggest trends in the ‘90s – and no brand does it better than Fendi.
This medium baguette bag was re-issued in 2019 as a double of the original 1997 bag.
Medium Baguette 1997 is a re-release of the first Fendi Baguette bag created in 1997
The split leather features the signature beige monogram FF print with the brand’s classic signature clasp. This bag is made in Italy and is a classic bag to add to your closet.
It’s an essential for any fan of Fendi or the Baguette style. Adding this bag to your closet gives you an easy way to transport yourself back to 1997.
8. Burberry Small Leather Olympia, $2,190
One thing we wish the classic baguette could have had is a crossbody strap. Burberry has offered the answer to our prayers with its ‘Olympia’ bag.
The slim, structured Burberry shoulder bag features palladium-plated hardware and exterior slip and zip pockets for easy access
Its crescent moon-shaped silhouette has palladium-plated hardware and is sculpted from smooth leather. You can wear this bag like a traditional crossbody or keep it as an ‘under the arm’ bag.
9. Wandler Georgia Bag, $766 on Farfetch
Do you want a sleek and understated alternative to the baguette? If you’re a fan of the silhouette but want a more contemporary look, check out the Georgia bag by Wandler.
Wandler’s iconic Georgia bag is enhanced by contrasting black edges and a crisp white colorway
This new season style is under $800 and features a fold-over top with magnetic fastening. The detachable shoulder strap gives you a longer drop than the baguette for extra versatility.
10. Prada Re-Edition 2000, $995
Fendi and Gucci aren’t the only ones re-issuing their baguette styles. Prada has also looked back into its archive to re-issue its classic bag from the early 2000s.
The Prada Re-Nylon Re-Edition 2000 mini bag is one of the brand’s most accessible styles.
Prada’s baguette style is made from signature recycled nylon in pastel pink and accented with an enameled triangular logo plaque
It’s available in a variety of shades from cornflower blue to wisteria purple and desert beige. This bag is a re-interpretation of the iconic Prada bag and is made using the brand’s innovative Re-Nylon fabric using recycled, purified plastic from our oceans.
11. Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires
The baguette bag also inspired one of Louis Vuitton’s most sought-after bags. The Pochette Accessoires is a versatile pochette that you can style as a shoulder bag or use as a pouch inside larger bags.
In Monogram canvas, the Pochette Accessoires easily carries all the daily necessities
This bag has skyrocketed in price in recent seasons, making it one of the best investments from Louis Vuitton. The bag is big enough to carry the brand’s iconic Zippy Wallet.
It features a textile lining and an interior flat pocket to store your valuables. It’s one of the most accessibly priced Louis Vuitton bags and is also readily available on the pre-loved market.
12. Fendi Baguette 1997 Red and Beige Suede and Leather Bag
To celebrate the re-launch of the baguette, Fendi has re-issued some of the most popular original colorways of the bag.
This style is a recreation of the first Baguette bag from 1997. It’s made with contrasting red suede and beige leather finished with the classic FF clasp.
Fendi’s medium Baguette 1997 bag made of red suede and beige leather is decorated with an FF clasp
You can grab this bag and throw it under your arm while dashing out for drinks with friends. This bag also doubles as a pochette due to its detachable handle.
We think this color option is the perfect choice if you want a more understated look that captures the late-‘90s aesthetic of the original baguette.
13. Coach Pillow Tabby Shoulder Bag, $495
Coach’s answer to the baguette is their best-selling ‘Pillow Tabby’ bag. It’s inspired by their archival 1970 designs and features plush, ultra-soft leather.
The Pillow Tabby 18 is nearest in size to Fendi’s original baguette and is the perfect choice for those who want a more understated – and affordable – style.
Coach’s Pillow Tabby reimagines the structured silhouette of an archival 1970s Coach design with plush, ultra-soft leather and wrapped Signature hardware
What makes the Coach bag different is that it is more versatile. You can use the two detachable straps to carry it on your shoulder, as a crossbody, or by hand.
This Nappa leather bag is available in a rainbow of colors and features the signature ‘C’ hardware, along with a matching luggage tag.
14. STAUD Bean Bag, $195 on Nordstrom
Another alternative to the luxury brands on this list is STAUD. This contemporary brand sits at a mid-tier price point at under $200.
Staud’s Bean bag is a small convertible clutch in soft leather featuring a zipper closure, suede lining, and removable shoulder strap
The Bean Bag comes in soft leather with suede lining and a removable shoulder strap. It’s available in a range of light pastels and earth-tone neutrals.
15. Fendi Baguette Purple Sequined Bag
If you see this style of baguette bag, grab it! The purple sequined baguette is made in collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker and is a part of fashion history.
Eagle-eyed watchers of ‘And Just Like That…”, the spin-off to Sex and The City, will recognize it as the bag Carrie wears in one of the early episodes.
Fendi’s iconic medium Baguette bag, with fine, finely embroidered all-over with purple sequins of different shapes and sizes to create a 3D effect and decorated with an FF clasp
The purple sequins offer a 3D effect to the baguette bag, making it the perfect plus one for a night on the town. The interior is a contrasting gold lining to match the exterior hardware.
Not a fan of purple? You can also find the sequined baguette in fuchsia pink with silver hardware.
Which of these baguette bags will you be adding to your closet?