Trust Us: This It-Girl-Approved Bag Style Is Fashion’s Latest Obsession Right Now

The accessory du jour? The East-West bag, an elongated design that has been seen on Rihanna and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

East-west bags — Rosie Huntington-Whiteley sporting the east-west bag trend with the Alaïa Le Teckel bag. Photo: Instagram / @rosiehw

ICYMI: Small shoulder bags are back in vogue. Although we’ve seen the obsession with printed tote bags and oversized beach-ready carriers at Prada, Tod’s and Loewe, downsized East-West shaped variations are taking the fashion world by storm.

The love for the elongated design is not newfound: bags like the Fendi Baguette have long been a sartorial staple for the fashion circuit. The trend has however received an update for 2024, with versions that have a more defined shape being preferred over slouchier ones, perhaps to lend a bit of structure to baggy pieces of clothing like floor-grazing denim jeans and oversized tops.

East-west bag — The Alaïa Le Teckel small bag in blue. (Photo: Instagram / @maisonalaia)

Case in point? Alaia’s new Le Teckel bag, which has been spotted on fashion’s coolest figures like Rihanna and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The bag features a slim East-West silhouette and longer handles with decorative ties, perfect for toting around essentials.

Another label acing the trend is Jil Sander, who offers a minimal, low-key take on East-West bags with refined shapes, sleek straps and hardware detailing. The label’s Goji bamboo bag in particular is a standout for its bamboo top handle and metal clasp, while the Cannolo, shaped like its namesake pastry, stars an elongated tubular bag and adjustable straps via a gold buckle.

Tap into the bag charm hype by attaching your favourite keychains onto Chloé’s new offering, the 99 shoulder bag. The maison paid tribute to its Paddington design—a celebrity favourite It-bag from the ’00s—by embellishing the slim East-West bag with the oversized leather-wrapped Paddington lock, so you can sport an updated version of the nostalgic slouchy design in 2024.

And for the on-the-go individual, roomier options that are equal parts practical and stylish can be found at Miu Miu, Dior and Acne Studios.

Below, our favourite East-West bags for you to rock this trend.