From the latest women’s runways, one trend has emerged loud and clear: the return of worn bags. Made of leather, of course. More than “worn” in the literal sense, the collections of major brands have featured leather bags that are already scuffed, bearing the marks of time. Leather because it is the quintessential living material, and because it is the only one capable of revealing what others tend to conceal. It records use rather than disguising it. And so, in a market already saturated with flawless surfaces, the mark becomes an advantage — even a competitive one. Helped along by the cold season, brand-new bags are giving way to pieces that are new off the factory floor, yet look as though they have been lived in.
The return of worn bags
Leather, as we know, is a living material, and for that very reason it is less inclined to tolerate artifice. As Vogue Arabia writes, “there’s something inherently captivating about an aged leather bag. Not damaged or neglected, but softened by time and use”. A paradox in itself, given that the luxury industry has always been built on the idea of perfection — perhaps too much of it, and too often repeated.
And so fashion houses, from Chanel to Miu Miu via Balenciaga, have revived a trend that first surged a few years ago, adding a new layer of meaning: no longer simply well-made products with a whispered identity, but genuine fragments of lived experience. A patina that is both the result of craftsmanship and a reminder of the relationship between an accessory and the person who truly uses it. That is what now attracts consumers and designers alike. In a market saturated with industrial perfection, leather that shows the passage of time feels more honest.
Imperfect by choice
The trend also appears to be borne out by the numbers. According to The RealReal’s Resale Report 2025, worn bags are outperforming pristine pieces. Items in “fair condition” grew by 32% in 2025, while time-worn bags overall increased by 45%. The runways, as we noted, anticipated what the street has since confirmed: imperfection has become intentional. One example above all is Chanel. In the Spring/Summer 2026 collection — the first designed by Matthieu Blazy — the maison sent gold and red bags down the runway bearing visible signs of wear. An approach that would have been unthinkable until recently, yet one that is now influencing even the most established houses. Because, in the age of hyper-polishness, nothing signals luxury more loudly than the courage to appear real.
Photos: Chanel, Balenciaga, Miu Miu
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