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With trends coming and going quicker than you can say “core,” it’s hard to know which designer bags are truly worth the investment. In order to avoid cashing out on a here-today-gone-tomorrow purchase, a staple carryall has to have both a timeless charm and a refreshing point of view—a modern-day classic, if you will. That’s the box that Prada’s Arqué bag checks. The moon-shaped accessory is proving its undeniable staying power after being released a year ago. (This is hardly an overnight success story, rather, the moment has been slowly building up.)
Last September, queen of the quiet luxury aesthetic Sofia Richie Grainge was seen carrying the not-too-big, not-too-small purse on her shoulder while wearing a red turtleneck and a gray coat. More recently, this past August, Karlie Kloss took the same style out on the town, wearing it with a Self-Portrait dress on her birthday. Both looks prove that the Arqué is the kind of bag that can go from day to night with ease. And the list of celebs who have worn the made-to-last designer silhouette goes on and on, from Emily Ratajkowski to Gigi Hadid and Ayo Edebiri.
Gigi Hadid
Ayo Edebiri
Apart from the celebrity world, the Arqué is also becoming the talk of the town on TikTok, thanks to its classic silhouette and versatility (its customizable straps can either be worn snug on the shoulder with the shorter strap or crossbody with the longer strap).
Of course, the most important feature of the bag is the craftsmanship. The crescent shape is created with two pieces of calfskin leather that’s lined with soft Nappa leather. In the words of one TikTok fan, “The leather is leathering.” What’s even more luxurious is the Prada stamp on the inside, which is created from a pure gold leaf.
If you’re looking for an end-of-the-year treat for yourself or someone else (gift-giving season is right around the corner, by the way), Prada’s Arqué bag is poised to be the smart investment that will withstand the test of time.
Alexis Bennett Parker is the Commerce Content Lead at ELLE.com. In this newly created role, she oversees all shopping-related stories online, from fashion-forward trend pieces to the most coveted beauty buys on the market right now. Alexis has worked in the publishing space for 11 years, and seven of those years have been dedicated to helping shoppers make informed purchases—no buyer’s remorse here! Before joining the team at ELLE.com, she worked in the editorial departments of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle, to name a few magazines. Not only has Alexis worked closely with several brands and tested hundreds of products over the course of her career, but she’s also won awards for her work as a shopping journalist. Namely, she was an honoree at the Pynk Magazine Gala in 2023, received the Condé Nast Commerce Content Award for Best Article by a New Hire in 2021, and was included on the Top 40 Under 40 Heir’s List in 2018.