Prada has had a lot of success with shoulder bags in recent years. In celebration of the sleek ‘90s minimalism that’s a part of its brand DNA, the label has released a slew of shoulder bag styles to wild popularity (think the cult-worthy Prada Re-Edition, celebrity-favourite Cleo and crescent-shaped Arqué). All perfect for compact everyday essentials and to slot snuggly under your arm. But it seems that Prada aren’t hanging up their penchant for designing bags for us to nonchalantly sling over our shoulders anytime soon. Introducing the new Prada Aimée bag. 

Slouchy with more space than you usually get from a shoulder bag of these proportions, it’s a chic option for everyday. With the unstructured and baggy silhouette of an oversized tote but the dimensions of a sleek oblong shoulder bag, it’s shaping up to be one of the most versatile new accessories that’s hit the market in seasons. So let’s get into it. Read on to discover must-know design details and styling inspiration (where you’ll see some of my other Prada favourites). Plus, let’s see if I can answer the question – will the Aimée bag be the next Prada classic?

Slouchy shoulder style 

Adjustable single shoulder strap

Enamelled metal triangle logo on the front

Zip closure 

Removable cloquette key ring

Nappa leather lining with two pockets, one zipped 

Size options – medium, large 

Colour options – 

Medium – Cinnamon 

Large – Black, Caramel, Travertine, White 

Material options – calf leather (large only), suede (medium only) 

Crafted in Italy

I’ll admit, the handbag variety of history is my favourite kind to discuss. And when it involves a topic as iconic and influential as the shoulder bag style, just try and stop me! Brands have been giving makeovers to their sleek bestselling shoulder bags of the ‘90s for quite a few years now, and to varying degrees of success. Most prominently, it’s been the mass resurgence of re-issue styles during the late 2010s. Labels would essentially re-release the same bags from decades prior to wild popularity from a new generation of shoppers. Prada experienced huge success with its Re-Edition 2005 style in nylon and leather. And when Fendi saw a fanfare of renewed love for its iconic Baguette when it re-released the design in 2019, other brands were quick to take notice.

But in the 2020s, despite love for vintage styles continuing to flourish, there’s a need for new and original designs to carry on the legacy and influence of heritage brands. Enter, the Prada Aimée bag. Drawing on the sleek, long shape of retro favourites but with a fresh slouchy silhouette that feels super contemporary, this latest accessory from Prada feels like a bridge between old and new, ushering in a new era of covetable shoulder bag styles for the house. 

For me, one of the biggest selling points of the new Prada Aimée bag is the shape. It’s a wide rectangular design that droops in the middle to create a super-slouchy, almost hobo-style silhouette. Soft but still supremely practical. I can see why Prada has opted to use calf leather that’s super soft and supple instead of their iconic Saffiano leather (it’s got a cross-hatch finish and feels more structured). The house’s iconic nylon is noticeably missing from the Aimée bag’s material options but I think that its lightness, durability and timeless utilitarian appeal would make it perfect for this new design. So fingers crossed we see it pop up next season! 

One of my favourite design features of the Aimée bag that I didn’t expect to like so much is the belt buckle detail on each end of the strap. This is a major throwback to early ‘00s handbag hardware, with new designs like the Prada east-west shaped shoulder bag and Givenchy Voyou serving as a reminder of this design feature’s style power in modern times, too.

And now onto the colours, materials and sizes on offer. I feel like Prada is starting us off slow. Currently, there’s a medium Prada Aimée bag available only in Cinnamon suede. The medium option is very similar in shape, size and structure to the classic Prada Re-Edition shoulder bag and I love how Prada has introduced it in suede (the material of the moment) for something a little different.

The large version is my favourite. The bigger size accommodates the slouchy silhouette, allowing it to droop and hang off my shoulder beautifully and in that super-effortless way I’ve always envisioned a shoulder bag should feel. My large Aimée in the White colour option feels like a bag I would naturally grab as I’m heading out the door – it’s easy, versatile and loveable.

Prada is one of my favourite brands for designing pieces that slot into my everyday wardrobe. It’s the luxury label most associated with utilitarian dressing and sleek ‘90s simplicity for good reason. So when it comes to styling the Aimée bag, I’ve been keeping it minimal and chic, like any true Prada girl knows how. I’ve been loving styling with my new-season Prada ready-to-wear favourites, think tailored coats, simple tanks and midis. Plus, it works great with my usual rotation of oversized blazers and relaxed jeans.

To sum up, I think the new Prada Aimée bag definitely has the potential to be the next classic for the house. With it’s rectangular shape and slouchy silhouette, it strikes the perfect balance between a versatile shoulder bag and practical tote and I’ve been loving slotting it into my rotation of bags for AW24. What are your thoughts on Prada’s latest accessory? 

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GIVENCHY ANTIGONA CUBE BAG REVIEW

JIMMY CHOO CINCH BAG REVIEW 

MY MOST WORN HERMÈS BAGS OF ALL TIME

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xoxo, Tamara