Today's Top Stories
1
America Is Crushing on My Boyfriend Andrew Cuomo
2
Vanessa Carlton Lives in the Now
3
Fashion Comes Together to Fight Coronavirus
4
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Has All the, Uh, Right Answers
5
How to Build a Mini Gym at Home

Editors handpick every product that we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.

Instant Classic: Ladylike Bags

From the grips of Grace Kelly to Gaga, top-handled bags have a strong hold on style.
grace kelly
Howard Sochurek/Time & Life
From the grips of Grace Kelly to Gaga, top-handled bags have a strong hold on style.
grace kelly
Howard Sochurek/Time & Life
1 of 11
Bag It Up

They're a sign of the times. In the '50s, a demure framed bag was a woman's counterpart to her husband's briefcase. In the '70s, they were filled with butterscotch and Kleenex as they dangled from the elbows of grandmothers.

Grace Kelly, 1956.

bag
Gorunway.com
2 of 11
Bag It Up

Now, in a fresh pastel palette, top-handled arm candy reflects not only our current pop-culture obsessions — think Mad Men, Pan Am, and The Help — but an increasing desire for a pared-down, minimalist look. Gone are the massive slouchy sacks of yore. When it comes to what you carry, less is more.

Louis Vuitton, spring 2012.

bag
Courtesy of Designer
3 of 11
Bag It Up
Valentino at Stanley Korshak, $1,945; (214) 871-3600.
bag
Courtesy of Designer
4 of 11
Bag It Up
Reed Krakoff, $990; (877) 733-3525.
bag
Courtesy of Designer
5 of 11
Bag It Up
Miu Miu, $1,960; miumiu.com.
bag
Courtesy of Designer
6 of 11
Bag It Up
Valextra, $3,050; barneys.com.
bag
Courtesy of Designer
7 of 11
Bag It Up
Dior, price upon request; (800) 929-DIOR.
bag
Denko Ivanisevic
8 of 11
Bag It Up
VBH, price upon request; (212) 717-9800.
bag
Courtesy of Designer
9 of 11
Bag It Up
Prada, $3,990; prada.com.
bag
Courtesy of Designer
10 of 11
Bag It Up
Louis Vuitton, price upon request; (866) VUITTON.
bag
Courtesy of Designer
11 of 11
Bag It Up
Dolce & Gabbana, $1,825; (877) 70-DGUSA.
Next
Fashion Resume: Florence Welch
grace kelly
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
More From Fashion
We Found the Best Modest Swimsuits for Summer
Fashion Comes Together to Fight Coronavirus
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Your Official Guide to the Royal Family's Tiaras
20 Women-Owned Small Fashion Brands We Love
Everlane Is Having a Sale on Its Coziest Clothing
All the Different Ways to Wear a Floral Skirt
Yes, You Need a Pencil Skirt
Anthropologie’s WFH Edit Is 40% Off Right Now
52 Celebrities Who Mastered '80s Fashion
Shop Adidas' Sale for Cute Home Workout Outfits