pictured from left: Prada spring 2020 runway / Fendi spring 2020 runway / Fendi spring 2020 runway /

photo credit: © iMAXtree.com

Do you remember the Fendi Baguette? If not, it is an iconic IT bag which found fame when Carrie Bradshaw in SATC coveted one, only to see it get stolen off her arm on the streets of New York, close to a  generation ago. That episode helped launched an already popular handbag into infamy. The Fendi Baguette was coveted around the world, and the short strap combined with the east/west design of the bag, created a handbag trend everyone needed to be wearing.

In the 90’s, handbag straps went from long to short in a decade. The early part of the 90’s offered us long straps which were leftover from the 80’s. As the decade wore on, the straps on our bags shrank until our handbags were tucked into our armpits by 2000.

As the first decade of the century progressed, handbag straps started to lengthen again, to the point where our bags offered a 70’s vibe, or cross body convenience. But, as we head in 2020, the pendulum is swinging back in the direction of the baguette; possibly fueled by Fendi’s relaunch in 2017. A new generation of handbag fans is discovering the baguette silhouette, while those of us who lived through it are ready to welcome it back.

My 5 favorite baguettes

We are currently in a state of the IT handbag type, as opposed to the IT bag. Instead of needing that one bag, made by that one brand, we are in a time when handbag style is king. This is great when it comes to individual tastes and budgets, not so great if you are a seeker of the ultimate IT item. You might have to actually choose a bag from a sea of designs, rather than be guided to that one bag, by that one brand.

It’s interesting that the baguette style is trending as we move in 2020. The spring 2020 runways around the globe offered us a different view of what’s to come in the new year for handbags. The runway handbag trends for spring 2020 included the return of the bucket bag, pleated bags, the multi-bag, the insanely over-sized cross body bag, classic 70’s shoulder bags, disco inspired bags, straw bags, exotic skin bags, and large puffy pouches shown both as clutches and as shoulder bags. Baguettes were hard to spot. How did they rise to fame at this moment? Is the 2017 return of the Fendi Baguette finally catching some steam? Or are consumers tired of longer straps, and seeking something fresh and new; because everything old is new again, right?

In the case of the baguette, you can always gravitate towards the Lord of the Baguettes; the Fendi Baguette. Or, you can enjoy this new IT bag style with a design by your favorite designer, in your favorite price point. There are a lot of options! I’m deciding between splurging on the Fendi Baguette or snapping up the Coach version in a fun color. I have always liked this handbag style, and I do own a few from back in the day; just not by Fendi. Which do you prefer?

Baguette styles online:

What do you think of the return of the baguette? Are you a fan of the short strap, or do you prefer a longer one?

If you are a baguette fan, what is your favorite way to wear your bag? Over the shoulder, inside the armpit? Or on your forearm, displayed for the world to see?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy