A Loewe bag is the ultimate stealth chic symbol. Slinging one of the most in demand Loewe bags over your shoulder will mark you out as a fashion insider – as will the way you pronounce the brand’s name (it’s low-ay-vay, not low-e or low, FYI).
At fashion month, we spotted more influencers and fashion editors with a Loewe bag this season that ever before. But unlike bags with glitzy chains, bold patterns and lairy logos, Loewe whispers it’s fashion credentials. Sometimes, we want to make a mega statement with our accessories, and that’s cool – but for the times we want to opt for quiet luxury, a Loewe bag is The One.
Loewe was founded in 1846 in Madrid by a group of leather workers and originally was patronised by the Spanish royal family and old Hollywood stars like Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich and Sophia Loren… Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld designed for the label too, but let’s fast forward to 2013 when Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson took the role of creative director and Loewe catapulted into a global super brand. While the ready-to-wear has a bold, edgy aesthetic, the bags quickly became the hottest buys and are showing no sign of stopping.
The best Loewe bags to shop, at a glance:
- Puzzle Leather Shoulder Bag
- Small Paseo Bag In Shiny Nappa Calfskin With Chain
- Flamenco Mini Leather-Trimmed Canvas-Jacquard Clutch
- Goya Small Leather Shoulder Bag
- Gate Dual Mini Leather Shoulder Bag
- Small Leather-Trimmed Woven Raffia Basket
- Hammock Mini Leather Shoulder Bag
- Cubi Anagram Medium Leather-Trimmed Canvas-Jacquard Tote
- Amazona 19 Small Leather Tote
Which are the most iconic Loewe bags?
As we edge into summer, the Loewe basket bag (which launched in 2017) will be our carry-all of choice (again) and can definitely be credited with kicking off the designer basket trend…
The Puzzle bag became the first verified It bag under Anderson’s directorship. In 2015 the slouchy patchwork style made its debut on the menswear catwalk in Paris - each bag uses nine pieces of leather and takes an estimated nine hours to make.
Before Anderson’s tenure, the Flamenco bag was already a modern icon. Closed with a drawstring (and a little magnet) it’s a versatile design that was originally created in the 1970s then relaunched in 2010 under former creative director Stuart Vevers. Now it comes in an array of sizes that work for cocktail hour or commuting.
The Amazona is also a retro style having a renaissance. It’s square top handle shape looks as good now as it did in 1975, when it originally made its debut as a workwear-appropriate style. There are an array of hard-working shapes and sizes to suit your needs.
The Gate bag was launched in 2018 and is the perfect style to wear cross-body. Instead of a buckle there is a hinge (like a gate) to keep the bag closed. The classic saddle shape makes it a heritage style that suits so many outfits..
The Goya is one of the most recent bags, from 2021, which has a classic rectangular shoulder shape with a flap opening. But there’s a twist, of course. There are leather versions which feel polished but Loewe has padded iterations and fabric versions that are ultra cool and casual for weekend wear.
This year, the Paseo is Loewe’s new launch and we are already obsessed. Referencing a 1990s style from the house, it’s light and incredibly soft. The longer silhouette is unusual when most totes follow a tall blueprint, but that originality is why we love it- and Loewe. Ideal for every day.
If you're into Loewe's anagram logo, the canvas fabric Cubi is a cute style. It's light but capacious and you can pop it over your shoulder or grab and go… It also clocks in at the lower end of Loewe's price range, and that, we're here for.
Although, perhaps the most versatile is The Hammock which has flexible sides that you can expand to turn it from a shoulder bag, cross-body style or tote. Your choice! But whichever way you carry it - and whichever Loewe bag you choose, you'll have made a smart choice, style-wise.
Read more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton here or follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton
