Has the girl finally become a woman? With the current style changes, she could be your quirky but demure aunt. What items will you find in her wardrobe this season? Collarless jackets, ladylike skirts, sophisticated shoes and trendy brooches. Furthermore, the Goldilocks handbag also embodies this new vibe. Bridging the gap between uptown and city, the East-West bag is just right – not too subtle, not too fancy, it’s not just for evening wear, but it adds a touch of elegance to daytime looks as well.
Askum’s favorite East-West bags:
Street Style Favorite: Alaïa Le Tekel Shoulder Bag, $2,490
Ladylike Top Handle: Savate Symmetry Bag, $1,390
Best seller: Freja NYC Christy Bag, $268
Classic Investment: Saint Laurent Suzanne Shoulder Bag, $1,950
Bold Edition: Jil Sander Canelo Shoulder Bag, $1,500
High Street Winner: Zara Hard Shoulder Bag, $50
Temperament Contender: Magda Butrym Brigitte Tote, $2,350
Every season brings big style changes that are hard to ignore. Think the transition from skinny jeans to baggy jeans, strappy tops to oversized blazers, or chunky sneakers to ballet flats. While handbag trends are less divisive, they still make their presence felt. The East-West bag is a good example of this. The bag features thin, long straps (located in the middle of the bag) and a stretched shape that is hard to ignore. Its calming effect has charmed street style for the past few seasons – as evidenced by the continued dominance of Ala Le Tekel. East-meets-West bags are also prevalent on the 2025 runways, from Bally’s blue structures to Prada’s green top handles that appeared in the spring/summer collection.
This season’s choices also break the subtle ties. Loewe’s pleated design, Givenchy’s black crocodile design, Staud’s suede design and Jil Sander’s popular cherry red design. Influence! A guide to Eastern and Western bag trends leading the future.
