DESIGNER 101

Dior 101:
The Saddle Bag

By Taylor M. Oct 8, 2020

When it comes to fashion, yesterday’s designs often guide

the way for the pieces we love and wear today. This is especially true of the early two-thousands’ iconic style, known for bright colors, fun texture, and most importantly, mini shoulder bags. The 00s are forever marked by the short-strapped bag trend, including the Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires, the Prada Nylon Shoulder Bag, and of course, the Dior Saddle Bag.

While 2020 is taking cues from the beginning of the millennium, designers are hopping back on the mini-bag bandwagon. Lucky for us, Christian Dior is one of those designers. The fashion house reissued the Saddle Bag two years ago, and it has since remained one of the most coveted handbag styles on both the retail and resale markets.

The Saddle Bag’s Birth

Created under the direction of John Galliano, the conception of the Dior Saddle shape dates back to the end of the nineties. The bag came out in the early aughts, debuting in Dior’s SS 2000 line and was immediately embraced by fashion icons of the day such as Beyoncé and Paris Hilton. Carrie Bradshaw even sported it on Sex and the City. The bag eventually fell out of style but soon reclaimed the spotlight when Queen B was seen carrying her vintage Saddle Bag again in 2014. Since then, the bag has been at the top of resale wishlists, compelling Dior to issue a revival that would bring the Saddle Bag to the forefront of the retail world once again. Thanks to Dior’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, the bag was released back into the modern world in 2018. That, combined with a heavy presence on social media, has allowed the Saddle Bag to be transformed from a relic of the past to a timeless staple.

Beyoncé Carrying Her Vintage Saddle Bag in 2014

Vintage vs. New

The main difference between the vintage Saddle and the reissue lies in their sizing. Back in the 2000s, bags were only needed to house a bedazzled flip phone, perhaps a lip gloss, cash, and keys. With today’s giant smartphones and other bulky essentials, Dior made an era-appropriate design. Aside from the standard medium size, the Saddle also comes in a mini for those still chasing the high of the 00s.

When the Saddle first began to accumulate influence, Galliano capitalized on its success by expanding the design, making twelve iterations of the silhouette that changed up materials, colors, and prints based on differing countries he had visited. Just as he utilized the bag’s versatility back in the day, there are already more than twenty versions to choose from when buying a Dior Saddle today, plus the vintage models on the resale market. Even if the shoulder bag isn’t your thing, there are also belt bags, chain clutches, and wallet options to choose from. Whether you’re fawning over a historical Dior piece or shopping for a newer edition, Oblique canvas (or for vintage, Diorissimo), a pop of colored leather, or intricate embroidery, the possibilities are vast, meaning the perfect Saddle exists for every aesthetic. Vintage or new, the “it” bag has struck again, and we’re ready to get back in the Saddle.