8 Gucci Bags You Won’t Regret Investing In

In 1897, Guccio Gucci left his native Florence for London, where he worked as a bellhop. According to several historical accounts, handling the luggage of the ritzy clientele there inspired him to return to Italy and produce a line of leather goods. In 1921, Gucci opened the doors to a boutique that sold imported suitcases and goods handcrafted by local artisans.

In the late 1940s, Gucci made fashion history with its bamboo-handle bag, a small, structured purse with a bamboo bent by the heat of a flame to make a handle. By the early 1950s, Ingrid Bergman was carrying a variation of the bag in the film “Viaggio in Italia.” The stunt set off Hollywood’s love affair with the Italian label, and Gucci went on to open shops all over the world. In Milan, Grace Kelly bought a silk scarf decorated with a feminine floral pattern called Flora that’s sold to this day. Meanwhile, Jackie Kennedy Onassis picked out a hobo bag with a piston closure that made a comeback in Gucci’s latest collections.

Today, the best Gucci bags are more than accessories; they’re an investment in timeless style, whether you’re shopping for the best designer crossbody bags, best shoulder bags, best designer tote bags, and beyond. Undoubtedly considered one of the best designer bags, they have been carried by some of the most influential women in history, leaving an indelible mark on the fashion world that transcends generations.

Gucci bags are exceptional because they blend classic designs with of-the-moment crazes, like 2023’s top-trending styles. “There is always demand for a powerhouse brand like Gucci, so their bags are certainly a good investment,” Kelly McSweeney, Senior Merchandising Manager at The RealReal, tells Byrdie. “They have a history and brand DNA embedded in their products, making them recognizable at first glance.” Similarly, Anais Rivera, Senior Procurement Manager at Fashionphile, says, “Gucci is one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands known for its timeless pieces and strong brand image. Pieces continue to be skillfully handcrafted, and the brand prides itself on being one of the few to uphold environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.”

Both highlighting the Jackie, Diana, and Dionysus as three of the most popular Gucci bags, Rivera and McSweeney note how these styles have been rebirthed multiple times throughout the brand’s history to maintain a constant allure favored by celebrities, socialites, and even royalty. “With a proven record of recreating archival pieces, Gucci handbags are never out of style,” Rivera says. “We have seen vintage pieces surface back to life and increase their value from their first release. The latest testament to this is the Gucci Horsebit Clutch. A few months ago, these could be found reselling for a couple hundred dollars. Since the Fall/Winter 2023 show, the value of these skyrocketed, as models down the runway were spotted carrying the remake of the Tom Ford era style.”

As the brand continues to evolve under new Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, you can be sure that Gucci bags will forever be considered peak luxury. Whether you’re investing in an occasion piece or heightening the effect of everyday looks, Gucci bags are the epitome of enduring elegance.

Gucci Jackie 1961 Mini Leather Shoulder Bag

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Originally known as the Constance in the 1950s, the iconic Gucci Jackie Bag earned its enduring reputation when it was renamed in the 1970s in tribute to the fashion icon Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who frequently sported this effortlessly elegant style and even shielded herself from photographers with it. Tom Ford’s reintroduction of the bag to the runway brought it back to prominence, and Alessandro Michele’s 2020 revival expanded its allure, offering an array of textiles, sizes, and colors. Its classic silhouette, characterized by its curved half-moon shape and distinctive piston clasp, has made it a beloved staple in the world of designer bags.

Available in an assortment of textiles, sizes, and colors (though we especially love the small version in classic canvas for versatility), the Jackie Bag remains a cherished choice, proving that its 62-year-old design continues to stand the test of time, making it a stylish accessory and a smart investment piece.

Price at time of publish: $2,400

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches | Colors: Green, pink, black +more | Shapes: Shoulder Bag (comes with a strap for crossbody wear as well)

Gucci Diana Small Leather Shoulder Bag

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Originating in 1991 and making a spectacular return in 2021, the Gucci Diana tote bag pays homage to the beloved Princess Diana. “In July, on what would have been her 60th birthday, Gucci announced the new Diana, now redesigned with a more modern twist including a removable pop-color elastic strap in reference to the bands Gucci uses to help the bamboo keep its shape,” McSweeney says. (See the mini tote version here.)

The Diana Bag has evolved into various silhouettes, including a shoulder bag, bucket style, and duffle, showcasing its versatility as a perfect everyday companion. “It is mainly characterized by iconic bamboo handles and detachable leather belts that are used to keep the handles in shape,” Rivera explains. It’s now available in an array of colorways and materials, from raffia to exotic leathers, crystals, and canvas, ensuring there’s a Diana Bag to suit every style and occasion, blending the classic with the contemporary, as Rivera aptly notes.

Price at time of publish: $2,590

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.9 x 1.9 inches | Colors: Orange, black, white, brown, and more | Shapes: Mini tote bag, small tote bag, medium tote bag, large tote bag, small shoulder bag, medium shoulder bag, large shoulder bag, mini bucket bag

Gucci Horsebit 1955 Shoulder Bag

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The Gucci Horsebit 1955 bag, as Rivera explains, is a remarkable revival of an archival design, making its debut in the 2020 Cruise Collection. This bag pays homage to Gucci’s heritage, featuring the iconic Horsebit emblem that originally adorned a pair of loafers in the 1950s before gracing handbags in 1955. Rivera highlights that this vintage-inspired collection underscores Gucci’s unwavering commitment to detail and craftsmanship. According to McSweeney, the Horsebit symbol, deeply rooted in the brand’s identity, was given new life in 2020 and is now available in a diverse range of silhouettes, including shoulder bags, crossbodies, top handles, and totes. McSweeney also points to the variation in price depending on materials, with options like exotic crocodile leather reaching up to $30,000, catering to those who seek both versatility and luxury in their accessories.

Price at time of publish: $3,190

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 7.3 x 6.7 x 3 inches | Colors: Black, white, brown, pink, green, and more | Shapes: Shoulder bag, small shoulder bag, mini bag, medium bag, mini top handle bag, small top handle bag, mini rounded bag, rounded belt bag, large duffle bag

Gucci GG Marmont Small Shoulder Bag

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The Gucci GG Marmont bag burst onto the fashion scene in 2016 thanks to then-creative director Alessandro Michele and has since maintained its status as an enduring “It bag,” Rivera explains. “The Marmont has dominated and become the brand’s most recognized design.” McSweeney adds historical context to the bag’s inception, explaining that it was aptly named after the famed Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.

Distinctive features include the matelassé chevron-quilted leather and iconic GG logo, as Rivera and McSweeney both highlight. “Its boucle double GG logo, inspired by belt buckles from one of Gucci’s 1970s collections,” McSweeney adds. “You can find it in multiple silhouettes like totes, flaps, shoulder bags, even belt bags,” Rivera explains, which McSweeney says has “helped it retain 70% in resale value over the last five years.”

Price at time of publish: $1,200

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 6.2 x 4 x 1.7 inches | Colors: Red, green, black, white, rose beige +more | Shapes: Super mini bag

Gucci Dionysus GG Supreme Small Shoulder Bag

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The Gucci Dionysus bag has undoubtedly achieved a cult-like following, as Rivera attests, stating, “Worshiped worldwide, the Dionysus became, and has maintained IT bag status since its release.” Rivera further accentuates its embodiment of modern Gucci’s Greek-chic aesthetic and mentions its availability in various materials, including exotic skins, embroidery, and the iconic logo-coated canvas.

Meanwhile, McSweeney provides historical context, explaining that this bag was named after the Greek god of wine and pleasure, Dionysus, upon its debut in 2015. “It’s best known for its U-shaped tiger head closure,” she says. The RealReal expert also points out that it comes in various sizes, styles, and materials, offering affordability, with the mini size starting at $990.

Price at time of publish: $2,980

Material: Canvas with suede detail | Dimensions: 10 x 5.5 x 3 inches | Colors: Beige, black, white, green, red, pink, multi, and more | Shapes: Mini bag, small shoulder bag, mini top handle bag, small top handle bag, super mini bag, small rectangular bag, supreme mini bag

Gucci Ophidia Tote

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“First introduced in 2018, the Ophidia collection combines recognizable components such as the double G hardware, the classic bi-color web stripes, and a GG motif pattern,” explains Rivera. It’s among the most versatile and comprehensive in Gucci’s lineup, offering various styles, including wallets, totes, backpacks, and even travel bags.

McSweeney explains that the Ophidia collection, like the Dionysus, derives its name from Greek origins and is characterized by classic Gucci elements, including “dimpled pigskin style trim, green and red web, and GG coated canvas.” While the Ophidia collection draws inspiration from vintage styles, it incorporates an updated Double G insignia previously exclusive to the Marmont Collection, as McSweeney explains.

Price at time of publish: $2,790

Material: Coated canvas with leather detail | Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 2.8 inches | Colors: Beige, brown, black, white, and more | Shapes: Medium tote, large tote, small tote bag, medium tote bag, small top handle bag, soft medium tote, small shoulder bag, mini bucket bag, small bucket bag, bucket bag, mini round shoulder bag, mini chain bag, small handbag, mini shoulder bag, mini bag, utility belt, belt bag, top handle mini bag, small belt bag, supreme mini bag, small backpack, pouch

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Gucci Blondie

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The Gucci Blondie bag, with its sleek and timeless design, has made a remarkable comeback as a 1970s archival re-release, according to Rivera. “This sleek and compact style features an interlocking GG and can be paired with everything,” she says, noting how it also comes in a variety of colors, sizes, materials, and silhouettes. Adding more context to its revival, McSweeney points out that the Blondie collection, which resurfaced in 2022, draws inspiration from archival designs and references patent documents filed in 1971. “[The] round interlocking GG hardware [is] front and center of the bag and has a retro feel,” she says.

Price at time of publish: $1,990

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.9 x 3.5 inches | Colors: Brown, black, white, grey, pink, green, yellow, silver +more | Shapes: Top handle bag, small top handle bag, medium top handle bag, mini bag, shoulder bag, small shoulder bag, mini shoulder bag, small tote bag, medium tote bag, large tote bag, mini bucket bag, belt bag, medium bag, mini bag

Gucci Bamboo 1947 Small Top Handle Bag

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“With its beautiful saddle-like shape, the Bamboo 1947 became a wardrobe essential,” Rivera says. This classic design was reimagined by Alessandro Michele and reintroduced during the winter of 2022, drawing inspiration from the original 1947 bamboo top handle bag. (See a vintage iteration here.) “The updated version has a sleek, modern design that comes in an array of colors, materials, and sizes,” McSweeney says.

Price at time of publish: $4,700

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 2.75 inches | Colors: Black, brown, white, red, and more | Shapes: small top handle bag, mini top handle, medium top handle bag, small bag, jumbo small bag, jumbo mini bag

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