The Barrel Bag Is the Latest Vintage-Inspired Shape to Make a Resurgence

Now that Y2K-core is (sort of) loosening its grip on the fashion world, a handbag shape that dominated in the '90s is set for its return.

Louis Vuitton's signature Papillon silhouette ignited the barrel shape's popularization; though it originally debuted in 1966, it was big in the '90s, and both new and vintage versions continue to attract shoppers today. Other brands like Marc Jacobs and The Row have continued to revamp the cylindrical handbag and maintain its appeal over the years.

Today, the tube shape is popping up all over, from street style to fashion week; designers including Proenza Schouler and Retrofête sent barrel handbags down the Fall 2024 New York runways. The shrunken duffle silhouette is reminiscent of pencil cases from our youth, and that nostalgia element may be behind fan's reignited passion for the sculpted shape.

"Our designs are usually reinterpretations of timeless silhouettes [and] The Crayon Bag pays homage to the nostalgic Crayon," Urban Sophistication co-founders Elad & Neta Yam told Fashionista over email; the brand recently introduced a line of oblong handbags to its line of phone accessories. "The bag's double-straps mimic the signature black lines of a crayon, offering a subtle nod to those carefree days when it was just you, an A4 and a bunch of colors."

Many brands are hopping on board with log-shaped iterations of their own. We shopped out our favorites, in an array of styles and sizes, below.

Urban Sophistication The Crayon Bag, $260, available here

Telfar Medium Duffle Bag, $350, available here

Saint Laurent Sade Mini YSL Tube Shoulder Bag, $1,650, available here

Gucci Blondie Mini Shoulder Bag, $1,790, available here

Brandon Blackwood Mini Duffle, $175, available here

The Row '90s Nubuck Bag, $1,090, available here

Staud Sofya Shoulder Bag, $325, available here

Vivienne Westwood Cindy Cylinder Bag, $490, available here

Bottega Veneta Mini Intrecciato Leather Barrel Crossbody Bag, $2,400, available here

Fiorucci Mella Leather Bag, $880, available here

Tory Burch Fleming Soft Barrel Bag, $498, available here

Núnoo Kelly Glitter Bag, $139, available here

Manu Atelier Multi Zipper Cylinder, $525, available here

Louis Vuitton Denim Papillon, $3,350, available here

Marge Sherwood Belted Log Bag, $305, available here

COS Braided Barrel Shoulder Bag, $150, available here

Everlane The Recycled Nylon Crossbody Bag, $60 $24, available here

Coach Nolita Barrel Bag, $94, available here

Edie Parker Hit Bag, $295 $118, available here

Marc Jacobs The Leather Mini Duffle Bag, $295, available here

Dentro Anona Leather Crossbody Bag, $670, available here

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