This Elegant Cool-Girl Bag Is the Epitome of Timeless Style

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(Image credit: @sofiarichiegrainge)

With the movement to elevated style that has been ushered in by celebrities such as Sofia Richie and the rise of "quiet luxury”, conversations in fashion have been steered towards designs that embody a sense of timeless elegance. With that, shoppers have increasingly been buying more classic items over trend-driven pieces. Among them, top-handle bags which have been hugely in-demand and have recently reached a new level of cool.

Iconic silhouettes including the Hermès Kelly and Prada 1995 Re-Edition bags are amongst the styles that fashion insiders can’t get enough of, despite being on the market for many decades. We're also seeing just-dropped styles including the Ferragamo Wanda, Bottega Veneta Andiamo, and Savette Symmetry pochette bags helping to define a fresh way to wear top-handle bags today. Ahead, the top-handle handbags that are the epitome of timeless style.

Savette Symmetry Pochette

Savette's polished, logoless bags are synonymous with the quiet luxury movement. One of the brand's standout designs is the Symmetry pochette, which is designed with a long leather body, sleek handle, and silver-tone hardware. The elegant shape makes it the perfect piece to wear for day or evening.

Dior Lady D-Joy Bag

Dior's Lady D-Joy bag takes on many of the design details of the house's Lady Dior bag but in a smaller, rectangular shape. The size and silhoeutte makes it one of the rising evening bags to have on your radar.

Bottega Veneta Andiamo Bag

One of the most in-demand bags from Bottega Veneta, the Andiamo has already garnered popularity amongst celebrities including Jacob Elordi and Hailey Bieber. The top-handle tote is finished with the brand's signature woven intercciato technique and embellished with a gold-tone knotted metallic detail.

Ferragamo Wanda Bag

For Maximilian Davis's debut collection for Ferragamo, the creative director re-imagined the fashion house's iconic Wanda bag. While the just-released bags come in a range of shapes and sizes, the small and mini versions are being snapped up by the fashion set.

Prada Galleria Bag

Prada's just-dropped Galleria—a design named after the historic Milan store opened by Mario Prada in 1913— is already one of the most talked-about new bags of 2023. At once modern and timeless, the top-handle bag is the ultimate everyday piece. If you're interested in finding a color that blends seamlessly into your wardrobe, there are dozens to select from.

Hermès Kelly Bag

When it comes to handbags, perhaps no style is more iconic than the Hermès Kelly. Named after Grace Kelly, the top-handle bag is the epitome of timeless elegance. Every shape and size is a smart investment buy, but the mini version is particularly in-demand right now.

The Row Margaux Bag

The Row is known for its take on pared-back modern minimalism through the lens of luxury and the Margaux bag delivers on all of the above. The large top-handle tote functions as a handbag but is practical enough to also work as a weekend bag.

Celine Conti Bag

Celine launched the Conti bag for summer 2023. From the belt buckle details to saddle stitching, the silhouette taps into aughts fashion codes that the fashion house is helping to resurrect—albeit through a very elegant lens.

Hermès Birkin Bag

The Hermès Birkin is one of the most well-known and most iconic bags in existence. Like the Kelly bag, the top-handle style is elevated and elegant, albeit in a more relaxed silhouette.

Prada Re-Edition 1995 Bag

Prada has resurrected some of its most iconic bags with their Re-Editions, including the 1995 bag. Famously carried by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, the top-handle bag looks just as modern today as it did nearly three decades ago.

Next: From Prada to The Row: 10 Designer Slides Every Cool Fashion Person Is Wearing

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.