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When Prada first sent a buckle bag down the autumn/winter 2024 runway, everyone immediately fell in love. Chic, clever and timeless, like so many of Prada's creations, it was clear this belted tote bag would be a hit. But little did we know, it would become the designer bag of 2025.
Since then, brands high and low, and everything in between have begun touting their own stylish versions of Prada's Buckle Bag, and celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, known for their discerning tastes in totes, have been seen sporting this year's biggest bag trend.
If this sudden rise in popularity of a single bag feels familiar, perhaps it's because The Row's Margaux bag enjoyed the same kind of treatment last year. So if there were any lessons to be gleaned from the minimalist totes trend brought on by the Margaux, it would be to get shopping on these belt bags, stat.
Thankfully, there are more than a few different designs to choose from. Prada's original bag features a boxy, square tote with short handles (which, while a little bit retro and très chic does not fit a laptop—trust me, I tried), contemporary brands like Liffner and Manu Atelier have slouchy or long-handled versions respectively that could suit your various needs. Manu Atelier's Le Cambon suede totes have already become an influencer staple, but this season they've also launched an east-west style that we can look forward to.
In a time so saturated with It-bags, it could be hard to create a standout style that feels fresh but also timeless. Prada's Buckle Bag, while seemingly new, references other capacious, classic totes like Herms' Birkin and Fendi's Peekaboo that have long proven the enduring appeal of a sturdy work bag with a subtle buckle detail. Prada's version, featuring an actual belt wrapped around the opening, is just the Italian house's tongue-in-cheek take on the popular style.
It's easy to see why it has been adopted so quickly by fashion's tastemakers. Practical, grown-up with a splash of vintage charm, it's a bag that can go with just about anything. And if all the editors at Fashion Month and the plethora of celebrity sightings are anything to go by, the buckle bag may become hard to get your hands on soon, so here's your chance to shop our favourite styles below before they sell out.
