If there was one characteristic that defined handbags in 2024, it was that they swelled up and lost structure. Our favourite styles were bloated, big and capable of fitting all of our baggage (especially the emotional kind). Now, as 2025 unfurls, it seems as though wide styles – known formally as East-West handbags – will become the year's trademark.

The design is given the name East-West for its horizontal shape. I like to imagine the handbag as the next size up from a continental wallet or "long lady wallet" as Liana Satenstein has dubbed it. There's something elegant about the shape – easily tucked under your arm like a clutch or grasped between a few fingertips. While the East-West handbag screams "person on a mission," it's less cumbersome than a carry-all tote like the ludicrously capacious handbag of Succession fame. One cannot fit a laptop in an East-West handbag, though they might carry a newspaper, a hairbrush, a wad of cash, a fan or mail.

However, recent updates on the East-West bag by Alaïa, Khaite or Jil Sander are slimmer than past variations, a riff on the tiny bag trend but with the exception of room to fit a tube of Pat McGrath lip gloss. Without further ado, find our round up of the best East-West bags you can buy right now, below.

ALAÏA Le Teckel Bag

BOTTEGA VENETA East-West Andiamo

CHARLES & KEITH Sammie Knotted-Handle Elongated Bag

CHRISTOPHER ESBER Gondola Patent Mini Tote

LOEWE Paseo Small Canvas and Leather Shoulder Bag

BURBERRY Check Mini Bag

BALENCIAGA Carrie Small Bowling Bag

GUCCI GG Milano small top handle bag

COACH Tabby Shoulder Bag 26

GANNI Small Bou Bag

JACQUEMUS Tan La Croisière 'The long Chiquito With Buckle' Bag

LONGCHAMP Le Pliage Original

MIU MIU Arcadie Matelassé Leather Bag

KHAITE Lori Shoulder Bag

DIOR Small Lady D-Joy Bag

THE ROW Edith Leather Tote

Image: Pinterest