The Enduring Appeal Of The Chain-Strap Bag

Chain-strap bags are a classic – which is, of course, all part of the appeal. The beauty of this style lies in the elevation the chain provides, turning a sleek leather piece into an accessory that combines the practicality of a bag with the flair of jewelry.

See Loewe’s ‘Flamenco’ silhouette – a revamped version of a classic style first released by the Spanish house in the 1970s. The leather pouch comes in several colors – opt for orange to make the ultimate statement – and is finished with a chunky gold chain strap that can be used as a handle, draped elegantly across the bag while you carry it as a clutch, or even unclipped entirely. Bottega Veneta’s ‘Sardine Chain’ design follows a similar pouch silhouette and is a future classic. First introduced by creative director Matthieu Blazy in his debut season, the bag features the house’s signature codes – that instantly recognizable structured leather intrecciato weave – adorned with a polished handle shaped like a sculpted sardine, and also features a chain strap woven with leather.

For something a little more structured that will carry you into the evening, Tom Ford’s croc-effect ‘Wallis’ design is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER and features the clean lines and glamorous note the house is known for. And, it’s no surprise to find that Gucci delivers pitch-perfect versions of the chain strap, too – the Italian house’s ‘GG Milano’ arrives in fresh white quilted leather, while the ‘GG Marmont 2.0’ is elevated with a red sequinned and embroidered boucle. Both of these styles make standout, after-dark plus-ones that can also segue neatly into any daytime wardrobe. At Valentino Garavani, the ‘VLogo’ clutch comes with a chunky chain that’s designed to be looped over a wrist or worn cross-body with the detachable strap.

Elsewhere in the lineup, Saint Laurent delivers elegant versions with enduring appeal – see the compact ‘Sade’ pouch in quilted black leather; meanwhile, the brand’s timeless ‘Calypso’ in burgundy leather features the classic interlocking ‘YSL’ hardware, lending it an appealing vintage aesthetic. The beauty of both is that they work as well with love-worn denim and a leather jacket as an evening dress. For a style with modern flair, trust Alexander McQueen – the British brand’s ‘T-Bar’ design features polished silver hardware that provides a modern, rock’n’roll edge – just the bag to carry you through the season of parties and special events.