Long live Lonchamp. Their nylon bags are some of the best.
I wrote a piece about some of my favorite models, and love seeing my friends rock theirs (shoutout Ana and Suus).
So I thought it’d be fun to follow up with other classic French nylon bag models that might not yet be on your radar and are as easy to thrift1.
what’s the story behind nylon?
It turns out, nylon revolutionized fashion twice.
First in 1939. Women queued for hours to get a hold of their very first pair of nylon stockings, since then a fashion essential.
When WWII broke out, nylon production shifted away from fashion and towards parachutes, tents, vests, etc.
Even post-war, nylon was mostly used for functional gear: backpacks, windbreakers, luggage…
But then: the second nylon revolution in 1984. Miuccia Prada brought nylon to the runway with her iconic Vela backpack. Overnight, nylon went from functional to luxury.
It hasn't left fashion since. And dare I say, a nylon bag is now a timeless staple.
So here are four French brands who have been making nylon bags basically since they were cool.
1. the nylon cabas by Hervé Chapelier
This classic two-tone nylon bag came out in the late 1980s in France. How fun are these bright colors? And how cute is the mini mini one?
But it was in the 1990s that the brand reached cult status…in Japan. I didn’t even know this brand until I noticed so many Hervé Chapelier stores in Japan last spring.
Luckily these are super easy to score secondhand.
Like this mini orange number for just 20€:
Or this bigger blue and brown one for 90€:
2. the nylon bucket bag by Lancel
Much like Longchamp, Lancel started out as a pipe shop in the 1800s. By the early 1900s, it had moved on to beautiful leather bags.
In the mid-1950s, they embraced nylon and released their first-ever soft suitcase.
It took decades for the material to make its way into their handbags. Even then, most of their iconic bags are leather.
But if you dig well enough, you’ll come across their adorable nylon bucket bag from the 90s.
Here’s a red one that’s very similar to the one I first spotted, and only 28€:
Or in baby blue 29€:
3. the nylon voyage bag by agnès b.
In 1993, agnès b. launched her VOYAGE line for bags and accessories.
And over the years she’s launched some great alternatives to Longchamp’s Le Pliage for a weekend bag.
Like this one in a bright cherry color:
And I also like this practical option with the extra strap:
4. the nylon shoulder bag by sequoia
Exactly the type of brand I love to thrift. It was co-founded by Pierre Hardy, art director for both Dior and Hermès footwear, and totally under the radar.
Hardy served as the art director of Sequoia bags for 21 years (!), and his shoulder bags with their rings are very easy to thrift. There are tons of nylon models in great shape!
This baguette one is very cute:
Or bordeaux!
That’s it! Hope this gives you ideas if you’re in the market for a sturdy, colorful, timeless nylon bag as we all return to work/school/real life this month.
As always, thank you for reading.
– Laure
Nylon is sturdy and holds up well. It’s also not biodegradable, so shopping secondhand nylon is the most responsible choice 🫶