Meet Chloé’s latest must-have bag

In the space of just two seasons, Natacha Ramsay-Levi has stamped her own brand of Parisian nonchalance across the house of Chloé. While she hasn’t forsaken the French maison’s inherent bohemian flou, she has introduced a certain sharpness that satisfies our need for elevated everyday style. Taking the helm at a house that is as esteemed for its iconic handbags as it is for its ready-to-wear requires exactly the kind of astute eye for detail that the Parisian designer possesses. As her FW18 outing proved, the 38-year-old is perfectly in tune with our practical and aesthetic needs.

This season, Ramsay-Levi welcomed the ultimate day bag into Chloé’s stable of cult waitlist-worthy handbags. Meet Tess, a chic rounded satchel that debuted within the modernist surroundings of Maison de la Radio in Paris at the brand’s FW18 show. A timeless addition to the Chloé repertoire, Tess is a versatile, hardworking handbag that will take you from the office to a gallery opening, and a dinner date to weekend brunch, with ease.

Beyond its sophisticated curved silhouette, the most eye-catching detail is its signature ‘O’ shaped hardware – a recurring Chloé reference to timeless femininity – which comes in both gold and silver. Tess is available in several elegant finishes including a classic smooth leather and suede and a quilted suede, as well as an array of colors: refined burgundy, bolder vinyl blue, and a two-tone, equestrian-themed style that reflects the house’s equine DNA. With two straps of varying width, Tess can be worn in myriad ways, such as on the shoulder, slung casually across the body or clasped purposefully in the hand.

Its distinctive shape perfectly complements Chloé’s streamlined FW18 ready-to-wear silhouettes; marrying a retro mood with an architectural construction, the bag chimes perfectly with Ramsay-Levi’s modern interpretation of ’70s prints and tailoring. Likewise, its preppy satchel-esque shape is the ideal counterpart to the boy-meets-girl Rylee boot, creating a coherent image of the cool new Chloé girl.

The perfect finishing touch to our new season wardrobes, Tess is well-suited to be worn with classic tailoring, adding extra polish to your office persona. For the weekend, dress it down with a floaty dress and ankle boots, or even a simple T-shirt and jeans combination. With its ultra-modern yet timeless style, Tess injects elegance into any outfit, as well as evoking that much-coveted French insouciance.