A soft little bag with a hundred years behind it: the pouch is a summer hit again

Soft, shapeless, almost as if you crushed it in your hand before heading out the door - the so-called „pouch” bag is a summer hit again. And while it looks like something they've only just dreamed up, the truth is this shape has a whole century of history behind it.

Small handheld bags with no rigid frame were carried by high-society ladies as early as the start of the 20th century, and they hit their peak in the golden age of Hollywood, when Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly turned them into a symbol of elegance. The classic „clutch” softened over time and became today's puffy, crumpled, frameless little bag. Bottega Veneta forced this aesthetic with its leather models, and Saint Laurent, Loewe, Chloé and Jil Sander followed.

In practical terms, its charm is that it survives a whole day on one look - from the office to dinner, all you need is to swap the shoes or the earrings. The summer versions are woven from raffia, thread and natural fibres, and pair perfectly with linen sets, dresses and kaftans.

We won't lie - it's a piece the fashion industry is once again selling us as „quiet luxury”, when it's actually the same shape that has been circling for a hundred years. But that's exactly the advantage: instead of chasing a trend that will burn out in a month, this is a bag that looks just as good every summer. Sometimes the smartest fashion is the kind that refuses to change.