'00s Handbag Trends Were Elite—5 Chic Styles I'm Suddenly Seeing Everywhere Again
With structured workwear-style bags spotted on the spring/summer 2025 runways at Bottega Veneta, boho fringed versions at Alexander McQueen and flower details brightening up totes and clutches at the likes of Carolina Herrera, it seems summer 2025's handbag trends largely share a source of inspiration: the 2000s.
There’s no denying Y2K fashion is back in full force—you only have to look at the return of capri pants and stacked bangles—and it’s bringing back some of the bags a lot of us (myself included) used to carry in the early 2000s, too. And you know what? I’m not mad about it. It was an iconic decade filled with so many great (and some not-so-great) trends that I would happily wear again.
Jennifer Aniston—both off and on-screen as Rachel Green in Friends—has given us so much style inspo over the years, and I particularly love her little satin shoulder bag moment whilst on the red carpet with then-husband Brad Pitt. Then there was Gwyneth Paltrow's crochet bag, which she wore with a halterneck top (say no more), whilst Naomi Campbell ticked off animal print with a snake shoulder bag. All in all, there’s not one of these '00s handbag trends that I wouldn’t carry in 2025.
Keep reading for some excellent throwback inspiration and the new styles to wear this year, and prepare for nostalgia.
'00s Bag Trends Making a Comeback in 2025
1. Crochet Bags
Style Notes: Does it get any more Y2K than a halterneck top, low-slung jeans and peep-toe heels? Add the crochet bag, and it's the full early-'00s package from Gwyneth Paltrow. I'll leave the jeans and shoes, but I'll definitely be taking a big crochet bag on my next holiday.
Shop the Trend:
Miu Miu
Ivy Crochet Tote Bag
ASOS DESIGN
Macrame Vertical Stripe Crochet Slouch Tote Bag
So cute for the beach or a city break.
Sandro Paris
Crochet Embellished Top-Handle Bag
This adorable fish-detail bag is top of my list.
2. Animal-Print Shoulder Bags
Style Notes: A shoulder bag—especially a baguette—is a '00s and '90s favourite loved by so many A-listers. Naomi Campbell was pictured with an animal-print version in 2000 (whilst on her mobile phone with an aerial!), and it's basically iconic. Brands including Reformation and Khaite have multiple options in various wild prints.
Shop the Trend:
KHAITE
Lori Snake-Effect Leather Shoulder Bag
I've been thinking about this bag for weeks now. It's a work of art.
Reformation
Simona Cylinder Bag in Leopard Haircalf
You'll never get bored of a leopard bag.
Anthropologie
Animal Print East West Leather Shoulder Bag
Autograph
Hair on Leather Animal Print Shoulder Bag
3. Satin Bags
Style Notes: On the red carpet with then husband Brad Pitt (what a couple!), I love Jennifer Aniston's red slip dress, choker necklace and of course, the satin shoulder bag. It's the perfect wedding guest bag, and I've got the below Miu Miu pink satin style stuck in my head.
