Vogue Shops

Meet The East-West Bag, The Baguette’s Cooler Aunt

1 November 2024

Image may contain Accessories Bag Handbag Purse Chair and Furniture

Boe Marion

There’s a semi-official name for the slimline shoulder bags you might’ve seen doing the rounds on social media and the street-style circuit. Introducing the east-west bag, an accessory named for its landscape proportions and pencil-case-like silhouette. Not too refined nor too fussy, it adds a touch of elegance to daytime looks and also makes for the perfect evening companion.

Defined by its thin, long straps (positioned toward the bag’s middle) and stretched-out shape, this bag is hard to miss. Its quiet influence has enchanted the street-style set for the past few seasons – a fact evidenced by the continued dominance of Alaïa’s playful Le Teckel, which appropriately shares its name with a dachshund. East-west bags prevailed on the spring/summer 2025 runways, too, where iterations were seen at Bally and Prada, among others. Consider it the modern version of the baguettes of the ’90s and Noughties.

Below, Vogue’s guide to the east-west bag trend and where to shop the standout styles.

Vogue’s favourite east-west bags: