Top-Handle Bags Are The Sophisticated, Timeless Trend For Everyone

While strictly functional bags can be convenient, they are far from what our grandmothers carried. As trends like "quiet luxury" and the "old money" aesthetic fill our social media feeds, we seek more timeless handbags to complete our looks. The sophisticated top-handle bag fills this void. "Since a top-handle bag must be held in hand or over the forearm, it inherently projects a ladylike attitude for the woman wearing it; she has the luxury not to need a hyper-functional hands-free style," said founder and creative director of handbag brand Savette, Amy Zurek, while speaking to Harper's Bazaar about the trend. 

Though the silhouette is not always appropriate for day-to-day activities, many top-handle bags are now versatile and include other ways to carry the bag. If your hands are essential during certain parts of the day, you can easily snap a crossbody strap on your bag to go hands-free. When you are looking for a more sophisticated style that will be on-trend for years to come, carry your bag by the top handle instead.

A top-handle bag is an excellent option for elegant occasions. More exciting than a traditional clutch, a sparkling top-handle bag will demand attention. This is an easy way to take an outfit from basic to elevated. We love the bag paired with black outfits for a surefire way to make a statement.

It is no secret that box bags are set to be one of the biggest trends this winter. A versatile top-handle silhouette in the shape of a box brings both modern and timeless elegance to the table. We recommend a neutral-color bag to keep the sophistication of a traditional top-handle bag while carrying the box shape.

For twice the appeal, try twice the handles. Doubled top-handle bags are a great way to embrace the trend casually. If you purposefully want to style the bag for an effortless look, you can hold one strap while leaving the other hanging. This small detail can elevate an entire 'fit.

Another way to casually embrace the classic top-handle bag style is to change up the traditional structure for a more slouchy look. Other silhouettes combine with a top handle to create one iconic bag. Our favorite version of this look is a classic top handle attached to a casual bucket bag. Combining these two features creates an eye-catching contrast.

Carrying a leather bag in your hand on hot days can be miserable, which is why there are other variations of the top handle perfect for warmer weather. Our favorite is the raffia top handle with a clasped lid, reminiscent of a small picnic basket. Raffia is another timeless trend, so combining it with the top-handle silhouette creates an all-around traditional bag.

Top-handle bags most often feature a square or rectangular shape; yet another shape has slowly made itself a staple in the category – the trapezoid. Trapezoid top-handle bags are still able to stand freely but are more unique. Ferragamo has made trapezoid top-handle bags a staple in its collection, offering a wide variety of sizes and colors in the Iconic top-handle bags.