Last Updated on May 1, 2025 by Eve Dawes
Meet the East West bag | The coolest handbag to be seen with this year!
The East West bag trends shows no signs of slowing down, if anything it’s still gaining traction with so many designer brands hopping on this trend and creating their own sleek silhouette versions. As seen at Chanel, Dior, The Row, Alaïa, Prada, Hermès and Bottega Veneta to name a few. People love how practical and timeless this handbag is but what’s an East West bag? Which brands and styles are trending? Keep scrolling as I’ve researched this trend, what the celebrities and fashion editors are saying to bring you the hottest styles for 2025.
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What is an East West bag
East West bags are sleek, oblong handbags that date back to the 1950’s. East-West handbags are similar to a Baguette but with longer, thinner straps that are positioned towards the middle of the bag rather than being at either end.
What really made this style take off was when Jean Paul Gaultier introduced an elongated JPG Shoulder Birkin back in 2004 at his first show as creative director of Hermès. They’ve been taking a back seat until recently when quiet luxury came back into style and have stuck around ever since. So here’s what you need to know about the East West bag trend in 2025!
What is the East West bag trend
What kicked off the East West bag trend? Some credit Maria Grazia Chiuri who showcased the Dior Lady D-Joy as part of their 2022 Cruise collection. The Dior East West bag ‘Lady D’Joy’ is an elongated, oblong version of their infamous Lady Dior bag.
Other designer brands were quick to catch on with their own versions including Louis Vuitton Pochette Métis East West bag, Bottega Veneta East West Andiamo Bag and Hermès re-released its Shoulder Birkin AKA JPG Birkin. If you’re fed up with carrying your Birkin by it’s top handle, check out this more relaxed version that can be worn as a shoulder bag.
These styles took off quickly with the fashion set and started cropping up at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Celebrities were quick to adopt this style and lead the charge on this handbag trend. Hailey Bieber has been seen carrying both Ferragamo’s wide Wanda clutch which is hard to find in stock, she’s sold it out in most places but I found a few Ferragamo E/W Wanda Handbags to share with you! As well as Freja New York’s Caroline bag which is much more budget friendly.
Rihanna, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Miley Cyrus and Julianne Moore have all been seen with Alaïa’s east West Bag ‘Le Teckel’. Although celebrity fans of this trend include Charli XCX, Kendall Jenner and Ayo Edebiri.
Why is this handbag silhouette so popular
Part of the reason the East West bag trend is so popular is because it’s so timeless and versatile. It’s one of those bags that ways for both the day and night, casual and more dressy occasions. With a lot of people ditching their designer bags in fear of using them in certain cities and places and preferring quiet luxury and minimalist styles instead.
This sleek style checks all the boxes for why it should become the next bag on your shopping list: minimalist, versatile, various price points and a practical size shoulder bag. Check out #handbagtiktok to see exactly how popular it is.
Although if you do prefer sparklier, more statement making purses, embellished styles are just as in style too like Magda Butrym’s Brigitte Trapeze and Dior’s embellished Lady D-Joy versions.
20 best East West bags
These are the hottest East West bags trending now as chosen by fashion editors and seen the most on celebrities:
- Hermès East-West Birkin.
- Alaïa Le Teckel shoulder bag.
- Khaite Simona leather shoulder bag.
- Bottega Veneta East-West Bag ‘Andiamo’.
- Bottega Veneta East-West Arco Tote.
- The Row Abby bag.
- Magda Butrym Brigitte Trapeze.
- Jil Sander Cannolo bag.
- Dior Lady D-Joy bag.
- Freja New York: Caroline and Chrystie.
- Hereu Felca Knot leather shoulder bag.
- The Row EW Margaux and new 90’s bag.
- Ferragamo Wide Wanda clutch.
- Chanel East-West Chocolate Bar bag.
- Prada East West bag ‘Bonnie’.
- DeMellier The New York shoulder bag.
- Savette Slim Symmetry Pochette Bag.
- Saint Laurent Suzanne Baguette shoulder bag.
- Anthropologie East West shoulder bag.
- Aqua.
The East West bags to shop for right now
If you’re looking for a sleek, versatile bag that you can count on staying in style for a while to add to your handbag collection check out these best selling styles. If you’re looking for a truly timeless handbag, look for East-West bags in classic shapes, with minimalistic designs and in a solid, neutral color.
I personally like Chanel East West bags for classic styling, Bottega Veneta for a modern look and Dior East West bags as a fresh take on the Lady Dior for designer options and Freya and Mango as luxe for less options. Don’t be afraid to check out the pre loved market too for discontinued vintage styles like the Chanel East West bag ‘East West Flap Bag’.
