How Many Bags Can Your Wear at One Time?

Do you double bag? Or triple bag? And we’re not talking about grocery shopping with brown paper bags either. Nor are we simply revisiting the age old working person dilemma of whether to tote a purse with a tote (or vice versa). Rather, we are pondering the latest fashion of multi-bagging (our term, not anyone else’s) in two forms: stacking and layering.

We actually addressed stacking this past winter in our BopTalk post about the Gucci Totem Pole bags – three bags hanging together, one on top of another (read Gucci Totem Pole: Fashion-Forward or Cringeworthy). It was either a success or there are leftovers as the style is back in stores for Fall 2018. It’s called the “Totem Three-Piece Shoulder Bag.”

Photo courtesy: neimanmarcus.com

On the one hand, it’s three bags in one, albeit for a steep price, with a messenger, a portfolio and a clutch plus a removable strap. Pretty useful stuff. On the other hand, it’s three bags in one – held together with metal hooks. Put together, it covers a lot of body real estate (especially if you’re vertically challenged). On a model, the lowest bags descends below the knees.

Photo courtesy: neimanmarcus.com

The other multi-bagging trend is layering. At the Chanel Spring/Summer 2018 show, designer Karl Lagerfeld repeatedly showed models sporting two color-coordinated but different bags. More than just a way to showcase goods, these looks are working double duty. With so many examples (and there were even more in the show), this clearly is no accident. Whether it’s a trend-to-be or not-so-trendy we leave up to you.

Photo courtesy: vogue.com

Photo courtesy: vogue.com

Photo courtesy: vogue.com

Photo courtesy: vogue.com

Photo courtesy: vogue.com

Photo courtesy: vogue.com

Multi-bagging continued into men’s spring summer 2019 where both Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton really layered it on. Indeed, according to one British article, Dolce & Gabbana held a secret “Naked King” men’s fashion show . . . where trunks (the boxer type) and bags were both fashion and accessory. Louis Vuitton’s newly anointed designer, Virgil Abloh, also started with trunks . . . as a reference and homage to the brand’s history as a malletier rather than an atelier. Abloh told WWD that his concept was of “accessormorphosis” – where ready-to-wear morphs into accessories. In this light, multiple bags makes sense.

Photo courtesy: wmagazine.com by Philippe Respaut

Photo courtesy: wmagazine.com by mollysjlowe.com

The trend, however, is now hitting the celebrity circuit. At the Louis Vuitton show, Rihanna showed up with seven bags in tow, all Louis Vuitton of course. Apparently she totes a fanny pack, three shoulder bags, and the clear keepall kept two more.