- 02
- Nov.
- 2025
On the runways of the latest Fashion Weeks, a new kind of bag is stealing the spotlight. Rigid or soft, always open, it redefines what a bag can be. Loved or debated, it embodies a bold new way of carrying your life, liberated, fearless, and fully on display.
Just a few seasons ago, no one would have predicted the resurgence of open-top bags. For years, luxury equated elegance with security. Clasps, flaps, discreet zippers, and golden locks were the reassuring hallmarks of high-end handbags. Yet from Paris to Milan and even Copenhagen, a bold new proposition has taken over the runways: the open-top bag, rigid or soft, proudly carried as a statement piece. The trend fascinates, seduces, and continues to spark debate.
At Chanel, the phenomenon takes an unexpected turn. One might have assumed the house, so devoted to the perfect structure of its iconic 2.55 and Classic Flap bags, would avoid the open-top wave. But quite the opposite. As early as the spring-summer season, the bag slouches, collapses, and unapologetically opens. Soft lambskin leather, a golden chain that drapes through the hand, and above all, a total absence of closure - the bag becomes more gesture than object, an accessory that defies rules. No longer a safe, it transforms into an open space, a playful canvas for personal expression.
Chanel is not alone in embracing the trend, yet the house leaves its unmistakable mark. Its iconic chain threads through crumpled leather, and the bag’s silhouette sometimes evokes an artist’s tote or a luxurious beach carryall. Other brands are following suit. At Miu Miu, the satchel opens onto daily life, revealing books, a pencil case, and sunglasses. At Bottega Veneta, the tote slouches, combining sensuality and practicality, while The Row and Loewe strip the soft tote down to its essentials.
What stands out most is the rejection of closure as a symbol of control. With the open-top bag, security takes a backseat. What matters is accessibility, spontaneity, and life in motion. Reaching into your bag becomes a natural gesture, far from the rigid habits imposed by zippers or snap buttons. Contents peek out - books, scarves, and earbuds, turning the bag into an occasionally messy, yet personal extension of oneself.
Naturally, this new bag sparks debate. Traditionalists see it as impractical, questioning what to do about rain or pickpockets. Others dismiss it as a passing trend that will not survive daily life. Yet a stroll through the chic neighborhoods of Paris or Milan reveals these bags, casually carried by hand or slung over the shoulder, instantly lending effortless, relaxed elegance. It is no longer about protecting everything, but about fully living, showing almost everything, without concern for prying eyes.
Influencers have embraced the trend. Camille Charrière, Bella Hadid, and Pernille Teisbaek showcase open-top bags both online and on the streets. Far from a mere display piece, the style has entered the daily lives of busy women, who see it as an unexpected ally for hectic schedules. The open-top bag does not choose between structure and ease; it blends both. It lightens, simplifies, and transforms the way we experience accessories.
Whether this breeze of freedom will endure the seasons and everyday life remains to be seen. Designers themselves acknowledge the limits of the style: at the beach, in the mountains, in the countryside, or at a cozy café, it perfectly works. On a Parisian metro or the streets of Beirut, less so. Yet fashion thrives on paradox and audacity, and this year it celebrates openness.
One thing is certain: the bag that no longer locks up is far from finished making headlines.
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