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I’ve been very bag-focused on my blog and Instagram stories lately. Sorry (but not sorry) for this. But since I decided not to go ahead and buy the Loewe Puzzle Bag after wanting it for years, I figured I should formally introduce you to the bag that stole my heart instead – presenting my shiny new Gucci Horsebit 1955 Bag.
If you haven’t followed my bag journey closely (because you’ve been doing other things like living your lives), then I’ll quickly get you up to speed. I scored a promotion at work that was a few years in the making and decided it was an appropriate milestone to mark with a new bag. Hooray! I’ve been a bag collector for years and these days I only allow myself to buy a new bag when I’ve hit a significant career or life milestone. While I thought that bag would be the Loewe Puzzle Bag because I haven’t shut up about it for the past couple of years, I ended up pro-con listing my way out of it.
Cue the Gucci Horsebit 1955 bag. I first tried this one when I popped into the Gucci boutique in December last year to try on a host of classic Gucci bag styles. You’ll recall the two standout bags for me were the 1955 Horsebit and the 1961 Jackie. The 1955 Horsebit bag won because of its true ability to be worn in multiple ways. I say ‘true’ because while the Jackie 1961 can be worn as a crossbody, it looks awkward and clumsy as the strap is too thick in my opinion (see below).
Jackie 1961 worn crossbody
Deciding on sizing and colour for the Horsebit 1955 bag was a bit of a fiddly and frustrating process. I’ve got my fair share of black in my bag collection, so I was really looking to branch out with another colour that was equally classic. The chocolate brown version of the bag (also available here) was at the top of my list. But when I paid a visit to the Gucci boutique about a month ago asking specifically for the chocolate brown Horsebit 1955 bag, I was met with a very assertive sales associate who told me (rather confidently) that they were sold out for months and it was never to return again – basically a whole lotta ‘no’ breaking my heart.
Gucci Horsebit 1955 Mini Bag in Black and GG Supreme Canvas
As you can see above I tried some other colours and sizes and resolved to instead opt for the GG supreme monogram canvas with the brown leather piping. It’s a beautiful bag and still very classic. Honestly, I loved both the small and the mini versions. The mini version could comfortably house my everyday bits like my phone and wallet (but not much else) and features detachable shoulder straps (and an additional green and red wool strap which transforms the bag). The small version obviously fits a lot more than just your bare bones basics but you can’t switch out the straps. You settle with just the one leather strap but it can be adjusted to at least 3 different lengths.
Anyway, I went home, did a quick google search and lo and behold, the chocolate brown version of the Horsebit 1955 bag in the small size was available for sale at both Gucci’s online boutique and Net-A-Porter! I have no idea what the sales associate was going on about but thought it was necessary to point this out as a lesson for you to not always trust what the SAs say – conduct your own research people! The visits to the boutique were necessary to try on sizing and colour, but I was so glad it was available to buy online, saving me another visit to the boutique. I sent the link to my husband (because it ended up being a partial wedding anniversary gift too) and he promptly bought it for me. It arrived within 3 days, beautifully packaged in a dust bag and box (with a bonus canvas tote too which I don’t think I would have received had I bought the bag in-store) and I’ve been absolutely smitten with it since it’s been in my life.
L: Gucci Horsebit 1955 Bag, The Curated blazer* (sz XXS), Lilysilk skirt* (sz 27), Sarah Flint boots* (use ‘SARAHFLINT-BAWHATVEEWORE’ for $60USD off), Ray Ban sunglasses; R: Gucci Horsebit 1955 Bag, The Fold knit* (sz XS), Arket trench coat (sz XS – review here), Everlane pants* (sz US 2, Short), R.M. Williams boots (also here, read my review here), Ray Ban sunglasses
The chocolate brown bag was a 2020 release so it’s not available in vast quantities anymore. But the Horsebit 1955 style is here to stay and it’s a beautifully understated and elegant bag. I’ve always been drawn to the structured box style bag (I’ve wanted the Celine Classic Bag for the longest time) and the Gucci Horsebit takes on a softer approach to this structure with its curved corners. I love how it looks so modern while at the same time it could have been pulled from my mum’s wardrobe.
L: Gucci Horsebit 1955 Bag, Sezane cardigan (sz XS), Nobody Denim jeans* (sz 26), New Balance sneakers (also here), Ray Ban sunglasses; R: Gucci Horsebit 1955 Bag, Arket knit (sz XS), Nobody Denim jeans* (sz 26), Everlane Mac Coat* (sz XXS), Wittner sandals (similar here)
I’ll be sure to post a full review once I’ve had some time to play with it.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
SHOP THE GUCCI HORSEBIT 1955 BAG
