6 Classic '90s Handbags that Everyone Will Be Carrying Again This Autumn

While I was only a kid in the '90s, I do have (she's going to love me for writing this) a very stylish mum. So, growing up, I always got to see so many different trends. And mum's love of clothes and shopping definitely played a huge part in why I wanted to work in fashion. I've lost count of the times mum says "I used to wear (insert trend here) back in (insert decade here)." And now in my 30s, I finally understand what it feels like to see trends you've once worn come back around. Just look at capri pants––or as they'll always be known to me 'pedal pushers'––for example. These were more of a Y2K thing, and I may not be able to say I wore certain '90s trends, but I definitely can still spot them a mile off––mainly from trying on all of my mum's favourite bags and heels.

Now, I'm seeing so many of these bags come back around. So I wanted to find out which iconic '90s celebrities wore the hero styles the first time round. What did I find? Of course Sarah Jessica Parker wore the Fendi baguette bag, Jennifer Aniston showed everyone how to wear leopard accessories way in 1998 and Naomi Campbell was already decorating her tote bag with bag charms in 1992. And the best part is, you can shop all of these for autumn this year.

Keep going to see the key ‘90s handbag styles you'll want to add to your autumn 2024 outfits.

6 Of the Best ‘90s Handbags To Buy In 2024:

1. Baguette Shoulder Bag

Style Notes: Basically the poster girl for the Fendi baguette bag since the '90s, off-duty Carrie Bradshaw (aka Sarah Jessica Parker) wore hers with a slip dress. And I would quite happily recreate this entire look now––with a vintage Fendi most likely found at Vestiaire.

Shop the Style:

Fendi

Baguette Patent Leather Handbag

£460

Vestiaire Collective is always the best place to find vintage Fendi baguettes.

Fendi

Baguette Shoulder Bag

£2761

The new baguette bags are equally as chic.

M&S Collection

Faux Leather Puffy Baguette Bag

£35

This looks so much more expensive than it is.

JACQUEMUS

Le Bambino Long Leather Shoulder Bag

£805

Everything will be chocolate brown for autumn.

Style Notes: There's no avoiding the print this season, and why would you when it can add interest to quite literally any outfit? Jennifer Aniston's 1998 look overhauled a LWD with a leopard print bag, and I've found a very similar style from Isabel Marant, below.

Shop the Style:

ISABEL MARANT

Oskan Moon Leather-Trimmed Studded Leopard-Print Calf Hair Shoulder Bag

£895

Ticking off that boho trend.

ZARA

Animal Print Leather Mini Bucket Bag

£90

Love the shape of this one.

GANNI

Leopard Small Ganni Bou Bag

£395

A bag so good, Ganni made it in 16 other colours and prints.

Prada

Pony-Style Calfskin Handbag

£500

This vintage Prada is just dreamy.

3. Top-handle Tote

Style Notes: CPHFW was pretty must a love letter to the bag charm. And if you want to know who started it (aside from Miu Miu for 2024), then look to Naomi Campbell. A plastic watch around her Hermès Kelly bag in 1992 is iconic. Copy and paste the aesthetic by adding any kind of key rings to your favourite top-handle tote.

Shop the Style:

Manu Atelier

Le Cambon 35 Deep Brown Suede

£580

This will be the hero bag of the season, and it's firmly on my wish list.

Miu Miu

Aventure Nappa Leather Bag

£2850

Add charms to get the full Miu Miu runway look.

DeMellier

The Midi New York Olive Suede

£445

Can you tell suede is the bag style of the season?

Hermès

Birkin 30 Leather Bag

£6673

An iconic bag that will always be in fashion.

4. Satin

Style Notes: We all know model Kaia Gerber, but of course she got her style credentials from her mum Cindy Crawford. I love how she wore so many baggy suits, but I'm also a huge fan of the supermodel's evening outfits. Satin bags were the order of the day in 1997 (as seen on Cindy), and everyone including Mango, & Other Stories and Neous has iterations as we step closer to party season.

Shop the Style:

Gucci

Cloth Clutch Bag

£326

The perfect bag for party season or even a dinner date.

MANGO

Satin Bag With Metal Ring

£26

I'm imagining this with a slip dress and kitten heels.

NEOUS

Dorado 1.0 Embellished Satin Shoulder Bag

£565

So very chic.

Whistles

Hai Esme Bag

£148

Ticking off two '90s trends in one with this satin shoulder bag.

5. Micro Mini

Style Notes: Giant carry-everything-including-the-sink bags have been key for quite some time, thanks to the likes of Loewe putting them on the catwalks. Now, it's time for the juxtaposed micro mini to take over. They may only be able to fit a pack of gum and a bank card, but A-listers like Halle Berre––who wore them the first time round in 1998––will be pleased to know they're back.

Shop the Style:

Celine

Mini Chain Claude Bag

£1150

Adorable.

MANGO

Chain Mini Bag

£26

Ready for any wedding.

Polène

Numéro Un Micro Textured Taupe

£160

Practical? Not at all. Cute? Absolutely.

Chanel

Leather Mini Bag

£2197

Trust Chanel to design the cutest mini bag out there. And in a gorgeous baby blue hue no less.

6. Clutch

Style Notes: Hands up who wouldn't have left the house without a clutch bag for a night out out in the early '00s? Well, the box bag was actually a '90s favourite, too. Model Claudia Schiffer wore the not-so-practical box clutch back in 1995, and I'm seeing them everywhere at the moment. And let's face it, fashion is rarely functional.

Shop the Style:

JACQUEMUS

La Petite Pochette Rond Metallic Faux-Leather Clutch Bag

£710

I'm drawn to this like a magpie.

Bottega Veneta

Pochette Knot Clutch Bag

£1093

For the minimalists.

ZARA

Sparkly Mirrored MinaudiÈre

£50

I blast from the past.

H&M

Metal Clutch

£43

I remember going clubbing with one very similar at University.