Handbags
Dec 4, 2023

Suddenly, Every Cult Brand I Can Think of Is Backing This Unexpected Bag Trend

by Charly Suggett

It's really started to get a little frost-bitten out there. Yes, it's December and it's always this chilly, but I still never quite seem to be ready for it. Those of you that, unlike me, are prepared, seem to be beating the cold weather by swaddling yourselves in a shearling, borg or teddy-bear coats, and now I'm spotting the fuzzy texture crossing over to the bag department en masse. This winter, shearling bags are everywhere.

It's no wonder that one of the snuggest and warmest fabrics around is becoming a cult favourite with the fashion crowd. We've been granted our fair share of "duvet" dressing over the years with quilted coats, skirts and jackets but this takes it to a whole new level.

Shearling bags to invest in. Proenza Schouler folded over their shearling pouch bags on their AW23 runway.

Photo:

Proenza Schouler AW23 runway

The dynamic duo Proenza Schouler sent their models down the runway in tailoring and draping - punctuated with shearling pouch bags, artfully folded over and tucked under the model's arm. This is the perfect example of the versatility of this fabric and how darn good it looks with black leather.

Photo:

Getty

I love the evolution of this trend and how brands have utilised it in such varied ways. You have multiple hues from the ever-colourful Kurt Geiger, fluid shapes from Nanushka and artfully trimmed totes from Gucci and UGG x Telfar. Now while I'm on the topic of the latter, the two have come together to bring the shearling and suede experience of one to combine with the handbag genius of the other. They have created a scale of sizes, all adorning a shearling trimming to the logo and edges.

Other cult brands who can boast that this isn't their first rodeo in the teddy/shearling department include Stand and Staud, so you won't be surprised to see them in the running for some of the best offerings out there right now. The much-loved DeMellier Tokyo bag is also now available in a delightful shearling finish.

One more thing I love about the shearling texture (I know, I'm a little obsessed with it but I'm nearly done, I promise) is that you can enjoy the borg-like bobbly texture or a fluffier surface like that of the Hereu bag which is just so, so soft.