Is it just me, or is it hard to believe that bucket bags first emerged in the early 19th century? The most notable example is Louis Vuitton’s debut of the Noe bag back in 1932, the bag that can stow five sturdy champagne bottles. 

There’s just something millennial-feeling about the bucket bag shape that makes it hard for me to place at an earlier point on the bag timeline.  For that, I’ll blame Mansur Gavriel. The New York contemporary accessories brand singlehandedly renewed interest in bucket bags with their simple, casual version – that was five years ago.  Since then, things have quietened down, but there are still some forward delineations of bucket bags hoping to do a one-up on Mansur Gavriel’s first bag sensation.

Most of the bags I’ve seen have a drawstring  closure component; that’s not necessarily true these days,  but most still do. The forward bags I’m referring to are deconstructed bucket bags. Structured bags in stiff leather or other materials like woven straw, become a nest for actual-looking  ‘dust bags’. Then there’s bucket bags with hints of the reticule style – small embroidered,  drawstring bags carried by ladies in the 18th century. To me, they essentially look like money pouches straight out of Medieval times, just blown up a few sizes. The aggressive bunching closure clearly warns happy hands to stay away. And at the basest level, isn’t that something you’d want in a bag? Spot some modern reticules below!

 

Alexander Wang

Black Small Wefty Drawstring Tote,  $495

 

Gucci

Pink Vintage Logo Drawstring Backpack, $1980

 

ALLSAINTS
Ray Leather Bucket Bag, AUD $433.48

Giuseppe Zanotti
Crystal Embellished Drawstring Leather Crossbody, AUD $1,234.36

Celine Lefebure
Karin Small Drawstring Leather Bucket Bag, AUD $864.05

Valentino
Valentino Garavani The Rockstud leather bucket bag, $1,295

GUCCI
GG Marmont leather-trimmed quilted velvet bucket bag, $2,300

GUCCI

GG Marmont quilted leather bucket bag, $2,300

PACO RABANNE

Cloud Medium Leather Drawstring Pouch, $800

Foley and Corinna
Wildheart Drawstring Small Bucket Bag, AUD $142.31

ALEXANDER WANG

Roxy Leather & Genuine Calf Hair Bucket Bag, $750

CHLOÉ

Roy Small Leather Bucket Bag, $1,650.00

VICTORIA BECKHAM

Helmet Lambskin Bucket Bag, $950

SAINT LAURENT

MANSUR GAVRIEL

Red-lined Mini Mini leather bucket bag, $420