Slouchy Shoulder Bags are Back

It’s time to put away your teeny tiny clutches and pocket-sized purses and bust out for Spring. Accessory designers are giving us bigger, better solutions for our return to real-life situations — or, that’s what we can gather from spring’s handbag memo, which features primarily slouchy, roomy and practical options that will cushion your fall should an office comeback knock you off your feet.

While slouchy shoulder bags spotted on the likes of Gwen Stefani and Lindsey Lohan in 2006 went on sabbatical a while ago, allowing micro crossbodies and structured top-handles to step in, they’re back to reclaim the coveted “it” bag throne. Labels known for buzz-worthy bags sent relaxed crescent-shaped, oversized versions down the Spring 2022 runways, hinting at a bag future that favors function and Mary Poppins-level storage.

For example, all the new Khaite bags for this season are described as “totes” or “hobo bags,” and there’s nary a teency clutch in the bunch. Meanwhile, Balenciaga is featuring voluminous “Shopper” totes and slouchy “Shoulder bags.” And LOEWE’s “Luna Bag” comes in five, count ’em, FIVE colors, plus three different colors of its Anagram jacquard print.

The return of slouchy shoulder bags doesn’t come with excessive studs like an aughts classic, but rather it boasts a cushy, unstructured minimalist aesthetic that can fit our tangible goods (and whatever emotional baggage) we’re toting around that day.  Enough room for all my cr…er, stuff and still be hands free?  I feel better already.

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