Catwalkpix, @jwanderson

Fashion Fix: Are novelty bags… in again?

by Sarah Finnan
21st Oct 2022

And just like that, novelty purses are back in fashion again.

First, Sarah Jessica Parker was seen with a pigeon purse. Then Emma Corrin sported a goldfish in a plastic bag dress to the My Policeman premiere. This week, Janelle Monae strutted around London, zebra bag in tow. Balenciaga is releasing a Lay’s Crisps bag, Fendi has a baguette equivalent, and Louis Vuitton’s latest bag design masquerades as a paint can. At New York fashion week, one model even walked the Collina Strada runway with an actual Swarovski-adorned broccoli in hand.

Has the world gone mad… or are gimmicks in again? Truth be told, I think it’s probably a heady mix of both, but focusing on the latter; novelty is the latest trend du jour and the fashion set is loving it.

Things really heated up earlier this month when the first season two photos of Carrie Bradshaw in And Just Like That were released. Pictured wearing a vintage khaki flight suit, a pair of gladiator sandals and a tiny Fendi ankle baguette, all of that played second fiddle to the JW Anderson pigeon clutch Bradshaw could be seen cradling in her arms… coincidentally not the first bird bag she’s been seen with over the years either.

Inspired by the recent influx of quirky designs we’ve been seeing on the runways, on TV and on our favourite celebs, we rounded up some of our favourites below. Strange but still cool somehow? I have my eye on the lobster bag…