Prada Buckle Bag Review

‘It’ bag incoming

Prada has always been a brand for cool girls. From the industry-disrupting Prada Nylon Backpack that’s been a champion of utility style since the ‘80s. And the sleek accessories designed to tuck neatly under the shoulder that became a mainstay in everyone’s handbag collections in the ‘90s and early ‘00s and have stayed that way ever since. This next Prada design is shaping up to be equally worthy of fashion’s collective endorsement (and a coveted spot in your assortment of accessories). Introducing the Prada Buckle bag. Simple, sleek, and with a customisable belt detail to give it just the right amount of edge, this new design is all about marrying chic practical appeal with a little bit of fun. It’s VERY Prada.

I feel like I haven’t been able to get my extra large suede Prada Buckle bag off of my arm lately – and I’m certainly not complaining! The practicality of the design is undeniable, but there’s a lot more to this Prada style than meets the eye. So let’s unpack.

PRADA BUCKLE BAG
DESIGN DETAILS AT A GLANCE

Spacious boxy shape

Dual top handles

Statement interchangeable belt detail across the top allowing you to customise

Precious 22 karat pure gold leaf embossed logo lettering at front

Dual interior compartments

Removable and adjustable leather shoulder strap

Internal centre pocket

Internal D-ring clip

Nappa leather lining

Size options – small, large, extra large

Material options – calfskin, appliqué calfskin, suede calfskin (extra large only), lambskin nappa leather (extra large only)

Colour options – caramel, black, clay grey, white/black (small only), cocoa brown (extra large suede only), dark brown (extra large lambskin nappa leather only), cordovan (extra large lambskin nappa leather only)

Made in Italy

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Designs Features & Prada DNA

First released as part of the label’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the Prada Buckle bag is the latest addition to a long line of timeless designs from the house. Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons have managed to tap into our collective desire for practicality fused with understated simplicity, and have done so with masterful contemporary flair. Prada has been synonymous with oblong treasures since the ‘90s – think the Aimée, Cleo and, of course, the Re-Edition shoulder bag. But its foray into top-handle silhouettes and more spacious styles has been pretty impressive, too. Designs like the Prada Galleria have become house icons.

The Prada Buckle bag presents a cool and contemporary take on the spacious boxy silhouette. Separated into two compartments, the practicality of this design translates to the interior of the bag as well. And the handles, although designed to be held or worn in the crook of the arm and not on the shoulder, have a fairly long drop to make them super comfortable to carry, adding to the Prada Buckle’s relaxed aesthetic. And, of course, there’s the precious 22 karat pure gold leaf embossed logo lettering on the front to give the bag an ultra-luxurious finish.

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Customise Away

There’s no doubt that the Prada Buckle bag’s most fun design element is the statement belt detail running across the top of the bag. It gives this understated and minimalist style some edge. You can wear buckled, leave it undone for a classically Prada cool-girl look, or knotted like belts from Prada’s SS24 runway. The bag’s top handles feature as one of the belt loops and the belt is completely removable and interchangeable so you can switch it out with other options to customise the overall look of the design. It’s a new and altogether more refined and understated way to approach fashion’s continuing fascination with customising our accessories using bag charms, trinkets and micro pouches. And I love it.

So to sum up, Prada’s Buckle bag means BUSINESS. And not just because the larger sizes would make a great work bag. This new design seems like such a smart move for the brand. The Prada Buckle is equal parts practical and fun, and it feels so true to Prada’s design DNA. As much as the small size looks gorgeous, I think the style’s boxy silhouette is best suited to the larger options. And although I’m a huge fan of big bags in neutral colourways, it would be nice to see a little more variation in the hues available, so perhaps we can look forward to this in future seasons. My suede option is very cold-weather dependent so next on my wishlist is a Prada Buckle bag in either the large or extra large size and classic calfskin leather. Pretty … please …