Curious about all of those luxury handbags and totes that look exactly like grocery bags? But cost a LOT more? The trend is still with us for fall winter 2019-20. Here’s a round-up of this season’s luxury designer handbags and totes that look like grocery, bodega or retail store shopping bags made of paper or plastic.
Low is the New High: Luxury Totes that Look like paper or plastic Grocery Bags
Luxury handbags that look like grocery bags are still a thing. Balenciaga caused a stir in 2017 with its $1,000 version of an IKEA shopping bag. It followed with a black leather version of its own store shopping bag that was priced at almost $2,000. Celine featured a translucent PVC plastic tote bag imprinted with a choking hazard warning that looked like a disposable bag from a local drug store.
You might have thought (or hoped) that this was a passing fancy. But’s its still with us. What’s up with that? Is it all part of the ironic, high-low, postmodern vibe in the luxury world? Are these designers laughing with us? Or at us?
We have no answers on those profound questions. But if you’re in on this trend, or just want to learn more, dear reader, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are some of the latest crop of luxury designer handbags and totes that look like grocery, bodega or retail store shopping bags made of paper or plastic.
1. Balenciaga
Balenciaga Shopping Phone Pouch shoulder bag ($950) is meant to look like a shopping bag; it features rolled topped handles and a detachable shoulder strap.
The designer bags that look like paper or plastic bodega, grocery or retail shopping bags: Balenciaga. Courtesy Photo.
2. Balenciaga
Among the Balenciaga’s fall-winter 2019-20 collection is this “brown paper bag” calfskin tote. One side has a happy face – and the other, a frown.
The designer bags that look like paper or plastic bodega, grocery or retail shopping bags: Balenciaga Market Medium Happy Printed Tote Bag. Courtesy Photo.
3. Jil Sander
Jil Sander’s Market patent leather tote ($1,180) is similarly designed as an homage (or is it a rebuke?) to a plastic supermarket shopping bag.
The designer bags that look like paper or plastic bodega, grocery or retail shopping bags: Jil Sander Market Patent Leather Tote. Courtesy Photo.
4. MM6 Maison Margiela
MM6 Maison Margiela’s white tote bag is inspired by padded plastic document cases used for carrying art supplies. It has a press-stud top that suspends a padded ripstop compartment.
The designer bags that look like paper or plastic bodega, grocery or retail shopping bags: MM6 Maison Margiela Logo Padded Tote. Courtesy Photo.
5. Gelareh Mizrahi
Miami-based designer Gelareh Mizrahi’s python “Thank You” tote ($1,500) is crafted of black python appliquéd at the front with white “Thank You” lettering.
The designer bags that look like paper or plastic bodega, grocery or retail shopping bags: Gelarch Mizrahi Thank You Luxury Shopping Bodega Bags. Courtesy Photos.
6. Gelareh Mizrahi
Ditto her “Have a Nice Day” tote ($1,500). Both are witty plays on the ubiquitous shopping bag.
The designer bags that look like paper or plastic bodega, grocery or retail shopping bags: Gelareh Mizrahi Have a Nice Day Python Shopping Tote Bag. Courtesy Photo.
7. Off-White
Off-White’s debuted its “New Commercial” totes earlier this year, and people couldn’t’ help but point out the resemblance between them and IKEA’s famous blue shopping totes. Off-White’s bag comes in three colors, has a sturdy construction and two pairs of handles that sport the brand’s name.
Designer bags that look like paper or plastic shopping bags: Off-White by Virgil Abloh New Commercial Tote. Courtesy Photo.
8. Alexander Wang
The Alexander Wang Wangloc Thank You Mini-Shopper ($1,695) is
The designer bags that look like bodega, grocery or retail shopping bags: Alexander Wang. Courtesy Photo.
Luxury Totes that Look like paper or plastic Grocery Bags
That’s our roundup of the latest designer handbags and totes that look like paper or plastic grocery bags.
The staying power of this particular trendlet seems to have a lot to do with a new definition of luxury. Or perhaps a desire to foster a rebellion against it – an “anti-luxury” movement.
In an interview with Vogue, designer Gelarech Mizrahi summed up her views about it this way: “I’ve watched how, in my generation, the conventional idea of luxury has changed. For me, doing what you want is the ultimate luxury. I’ve taken the everyday plastic shopping bag and elevated its message. Looking at the bag reminds me to be grateful. And it makes me happy. To appreciate the little things.”
What do you say? Are you in on this?
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