Your Guide to The Best East West Bags and Where to Shop Them
A new bag shape has entered the chat. Learn more about the East West bag trend and incorporate the elongated style into your spring wardrobe.
If you’ve been hearing about the East West bag trend for a while, but haven’t fully figured it out yet, keep scrolling. This term is used to describe a bag that is wider than it is tall—or, like its name indicates, a bag that goes from East to West instead of North to South.
And we know what you're thinking—horizontal bags have been around forever, right? Nevertheless, the current East West trend is all about the exaggerated long shapes. Think of Alaïa's Le Teckel shoulder bag or Ferragamo’s Wanda top handle as the ultimate East West examples.
Seen in totes, shoulder bags, clutches, or microbags, the East West trend can take many different forms—as long as it is elongated. And, conveniently, this sophisticated shape can also be carried from day to night with extreme ease. Bound to dominate the upcoming spring looks, L’OFFICIEL put together a list of the most stylish East West bags to shop now.
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Whimsical, yet sophisticated. Modern, yet classic. Alaïa’s Teckel bag crafted in goatskin features the ultimate East West shape that we'll be obsessing over this spring. With a chic double-zip fastening and elongated tubular handles, this bag can be easily styled over jeans or a LBD alike. Opt for its bright red version for a striking pop of color to lift your seasonal wardrobe.
Alaïa Le Teckel Bag in Goatskin, $2,490, Alaïa
Featuring the brand’s signature Intrecciato pattern and crafted in the softest nappa leather, Bottega Veneta’s East West style is the only bag you’ll need this spring. With a sliding strap that allows you to transform this top handle into a crossbody bag, this versatile design features a compartmented interior with 3 different pockets to keep all your essentials stylishly organized. It also comes in five sophisticated colorways.
Bottega Veneta East-West Andiamo, $4,650, Bottega Veneta
Because metallic bags don’t seem to be going anywhere this spring, this Marge Sherwood purse is the perfect East West addition to your wardrobe. Made in a crinkled leather and featuring elegant tubular handles, this crisp design is the ultimate day-to-night minibag, for times in which you’ll only need to carry a few essentials.
Marge Sherwood Silver Bessette Bag, $175, SSENSE
Despite not being the most functional bag around, we are obsessed with Ferragamo’s Wanda bag, which features an avant-garde shape characterized by its stretched-out flatness and geometric lines. Its detachable strap allows this sleek East West bag to go from a top handle to a crossbody purse for a more casual look—although there’s nothing casual about its glossy flame red leather and satin-finish steel details.
Ferragamo Wanda East-West Top Handle, $2,500, Ferragamo
Following the woven bag trend that resurges every summer, this Mango tote proves that East West bags can also be extremely practical. Crafted in 100% bovine leather and featuring a hook fastening to keep all of your essentials in place, this sophisticated burgundy shade lives in our head rent-free. In a structured basket shape and with a braided double handle, this may be the most stylish picnic bag of the season.
Mango Braided Leather Bag, $249, Mango
With the modesty and chicness that characterizes Khaite’s accessories, the Simona bag will take you from East to West, North to South, and everywhere in between. Merging decisive lines and soft curves, this elongated shoulder bag is crafted in a smooth calf leather that can carry you from day to night. Available in cedar and black colorways, this design is as firm and sturdy as the other East West options, but it is notoriously more spacious.
Khaite Simona Shoulder Bag in Cedar Leather, $2,100, Khaite
Following the signature aesthetic of the Lady Dior line, the Small Lady D-Joy is a great example of an East West minibag. Extremely compact—and extremely adorable—this is the type of purse that will carry your entire outfit, but won’t be carrying many of your essentials. Although available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, we can’t get enough of the iconic Toile de Jouy Soleil motif, featuring layering suns, crescent moons, and floral shapes in white and black denim.
Dior Small Lady D-Joy Bag, $4,900, Dior
On the most affordable side—but just as chic—Charles & Keith’s Wisteria bag is the perfect purse to keep your essentials in hand while looking stylish. Featuring a versatile strap that adjusts as needed, this shoulder bag turns into a crossbody purse in just a few seconds. This practical feature, plus its lightweight composition and flat shape, make it the perfect bag to pack for a quick vacation.
Charles & Keith Wisteria Elongated Shoulder Bag, $66, Charles & Keith
As part of Jacquemus’ signature Le Chiquito family, this elongated version of the cherished design satisfies all of our East West fantasies. Although only able to carry lipstick and some loose cash, this croc-embossed iteration made in calfskin leather adds a touch of spring to any outfit. Despite including a detachable crossbody strap, we live for the top-handle look—especially if paired with some chunky gold rings to match its pin-buckle and logo-engraved hardware details.
Jacquemus Yellow 'Le Chiquito Long Boucle' Bag, $1,060, SSENSE
In striking patent leather, Saint Laurent’s Suzanne Baguette is the perfect nighttime companion. Its detachable strap allows it to go from a sleek shoulder bag to a chic clutch, easy to pair with any evening outfit. Its light design and thin elongated shape make it the ideal accessory for a long night on the dancefloor—party girls will understand. Pair it with silver jewelry to march its hardware details.
Saint Laurent Suzanne Baguette Bag, $1,950, FWRD
In a vegan eco-fabric and available in the most adorable spring colors—we are pretty obsessed with this raspberry one ourselves—Themoirè’s Dioni shoulder bag features the perfect East West shape. Although its petite rounded body only fits the main essentials, its magnetic closure helps keep it all organized and in hand. Ideal for those hot weekend brunches we’ve been eagerly waiting for.
Themoirè Dioni Vegan Fabric Raspberry, €285,00, Themoirè
Featuring Miu Miu’s iconic Matelassé texture, this compact East West purse is the ideal accessory for spring wandering and warm nights out. With a practical double zipper and a detachable strap that allows it to be worn as a crossbody, this 100% nappa leather bag is a great neutral piece to shop now and wear forever.
Miu Miu Matelassé Zipped Tote Bag, $2,368, Cettire
