Gucci 1955 Horsebit Bag Review

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Estimated read time: 8 minutes

We’re continuing to see a shift from luxury brands tapping into their past design catalogues to inspire new releases. No longer do the Chanel Classic Flap or the Hermes Kelly/Birkin bags complete the round up of icons that come to mind when you think of timeless handbags. The Dior Saddle has made a comeback, the Louis Vuitton Neverfull arguably never lost its steam and the iconic Prada Mini bag and YSL logo bags are worthy of a mention too. When you’re dropping that amount of hard earned cash on a luxury handbag, it’s obviously important to find a style that you really love. But equally important is doing the necessary due diligence on bags that will hold their value and never go out of style. 

Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), The Curated blazer* (sz XXS), Arket merino top (sz S), Lilysilk skirt* (sz 27), Sarah Flint boots* (use ‘SARAHFLINT-CCVIRGINIA1’ for 15% off your first pair of shoes), Ray Ban sunglasses

As someone who takes a considerable amount of time pro-con listing and trying things on multiple times before making a spendy purchase (that whole process is detailed here), finding a handbag that effortlessly balances a timeless charm with functionality feels like hitting the jackpot. Cue the Gucci 1955 Horsebit Bag – an iconic bag that has a special place in my heart (and the hearts of other bag enthusiasts) thanks to its beauty and substance. It’s been a few months since I added the Gucci 1955 Horsebit bag in the small size in brown leather to my collection, so I figured now’s as good a time as any to share a review of the bag now that I’ve had a chance to give it a proper road test. 

Isn’t she a beauty?! Shop my exact bag here – AU link, US link, UK link

Design

So where did it all start? Well, the answer lies in the name. If you’re a handbag enthusiast and you hear the word ‘horsebit’ – you think Gucci. The Gucci Horsebit is part of the brand’s DNA – first designed in 1953 and first used on a handbag in 1955, the iconic Horsebit design is made of a double ring and bar inspired from equestrianism and has been used for 70 years on countless bags, accessories and shoes (hellooo loafers). 

The modern Gucci 1955 Horsebit bag is Alessandro Michele’s interpretation of the original design, reintroduced in 2019. There are still a few vintage versions lurking around on the internet which drive the point home that the modern reissue’s form and design stays very true to the original (see below) – the iconic gold-toned hardware, the boxy shape and the overall sleek minimal design remains. The bag features a flap closure (so no fiddly latches or hooks) and depending on the size you’re after, the bag includes either a matching leather strap or a contrast wool/nylon webbing strap, or both – huzzah!

Vintage Gucci 1955 bag

Quite possibly my favourite thing about the design is that it both looks as if I fished it out of my mum’s wardrobe but also as if I just went to the boutique and picked it up of the shelves (neither of which I did technically speaking) – but you get my point, it’s a neat little package that perfectly captures a bit of the old world, and some new.

Sizing

The 1955 Horsebit bag range was re-introduced in 2019 and over the last few years, we’ve seen an expansion of the sizes and designs offered in the range – there’s the shoulder bag design (the one I have), a more rectangular option with a chain strap, a top handle version and also a camera bag style. 

The OG shoulder bag design (which continues to be the best selling style from the 1955 range) is available in 3 sizes – mini, small and a larger size that’s not clearly named but I’m going to refer to as ‘regular’ for the purposes of this review (and the biggest size of the lot). 

Current dimensions and prices are as follows:

Mini

20.5cm x 14.5cm x 5cm
Comes with two straps: leather (with 55.5cm drop) and nylon web strap (with 48cm drop)
Weighs approximately 800g

Leather – $5,030 AUD | $3,250 USD | £ 2,480 GBP

Canvas – $4,490 AUD | $2,890 USD | £ 2,220 GBP

Small

25cm x 18cm x 8cm
Leather shoulder strap with snap buttons that can be adjusted from a 25cm to 45cm drop
Weighs approximately 900g

Leather – $5,210 AUD | $3,250 USD | £ 2,480 GBP

Canvas – $4,670 AUD | $2,890 USD | £ 2,220 GBP

Regular

31cm x 20cm x 7.5cm
Adjustable wool/nylon web shoulder strap with 55cm drop
Weighs approximately 1,100g

Leather – $5,220 AUD | $3,900 USD | £ 2,560 GBP

Canvas – $5,010 AUD | $3,700 USD | £ 2,430 GBP

Prices current as at August 2023.

1955 Horsebit Mini Bag vs 1955 Horsebit Small Bag
L: Mini in White Leather, Mini in GG Supreme Canvas/White Leather, Mini in GG Supreme Canvas/Brown Leather, Mini in Black Leather; R: Small in Beige & White Supreme Canvas, Small in GG Supreme Canvas/Brown Leather

L: Mini vs Small 1955 Horsebit bag; R: Small 1955 Horsebit bag

Wear & tear

It’s only been a few months since I’ve had the bag and it’s accompanied me on several date nights, as well as out and about on the weekends with the family. Unsurprisingly, I can’t find any marks on my bag, nor did I expect that to be the case either, as the leather is really robust and durable. There’s a glossy finish to the leather which adds an additional layer of protection on the material, somewhat reminiscent of Prada’s saffiano leather but with a softer and plushier finish. 

When it comes to durability, you honestly can’t go wrong with either the leather or canvas versions of the bag – both are extremely hard wearing and you would need to be really careless and negligent to cause some serious damage. The main thing to keep in mind when caring for the bag is to ensure you store it properly (ie. stuffed with the tissue paper it comes in) just to ensure the bag retains its shape. This is a bag that would stay in your collection for many years, so you want to give it the TLC it deserves!

L: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), The Fold jacket* (sz XS – similar style at less than half the price here), Arket t-shirt (sz S), Nobody Denim jeans* (sz 25 from their petite range), Arms of Eve earrings*; R: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), Arket trench coat (sz XS), The Fold knit* (sz XS), Everlane pants* (sz US 2, Short), R.M. Williams boots (also here, read my review here), Arms of Eve earrings*, Arms of Eve cuff*, Ray Ban sunglasses

Where to buy

The bag is available to shop in both the boutique as well as online. But it’s worthwhile noting that I have a clear preference for the online experience given the in-store hassles. Sure, you may get a glass of fancy water, but the customer service leaves more to be desired. 

In this instance, I had my heart set on the brown leather version of the bag, which was not in stock at the time I paid a visit to the Sydney boutique. When I asked whether it would be coming back in stock, I was told that the colour was years old and it would never be available again. I even brought up pictures on my phone and showed them to the SA to be doubly sure they weren’t dreaming up another bag. That night, I ended up browsing the online Gucci store and lo and behold it was available – so I really don’t know why the sales associate was saying what she said. If I’m honest, it’s not uncommon for the SAs to choose to fob off finding the actual answers to your very reasonable questions. It’s been my consistent experience when buying my belt, my loafers and now this bag – all of these much-loved items in my wardrobe were all bought online after less than average in-store experiences. Sigh!

On the flip side, the online experience is hard to fault. Shipping is expedited, returns are free, and your item comes neatly wrapped in premium packaging. I even received a canvas shopping bag with the Gucci logo when the 1955 Horsebit bag arrived – a welcome little bonus. Hopefully the pictures in this post have provided you with some helpful information to make your decision (and spare you a trip to the store!).

L: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), Marks & Spencer trench coat* (sz AU 8), Arket t-shirt (sz S), Nobody Denim jeans* (sz 26), adidas Samba OG sneakers, (featured here), Arms of Eve earrings*, Ray Ban sunglasses; R: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here),The Curated coat* (sz XS – same colour also available in this style), Power Of My People shirt* (sz M – use VIRGINIA10 for 10% off), Nobody Denim jeans* (sz 26), R.M. Williams boots (also here, read my review here), Ray Ban sunglasses

The verdict 

As for this bag? Well, it embodies everything you’d expect of a perfect modern handbag. A touch of the classics? Check. A pinch of nostalgia? Check. Timeless simplicity? Check. Ultimately, I was drawn to the bag because of its aesthetic – it’s one of my favourite bags to come out in the last 5 years. There are no bold logos or flashy branding that has been huge with the recent wave of logomania. The Gucci Horsebit strikes the perfect balance – it’s recognisable while blending in as a muted option. 

Meanwhile, some bags that are aesthetically pleasing, don’t deliver on the functional front. But this bag it’s different – it’s the full package. The closure isn’t fiddly – there’s a tab that slots easily under the Horsebit detail at the front. As I went with the small size, it comes with just the one leather strap, but it offers two ways for me to wear it – on the shoulder or as a crossbody. I was tossing up between the small and the mini sizes – the mini size really appealed because it includes both the leather and web strap. But I found the capacity of the mini size to be a tad too small for what I like to take out with me. I really wish they sold the web strap separately, but alas they don’t – it’s just one of their ploys to get you to buy multiple sizes of the same bag – which ain’t happenin’ folks. 

L: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), The Curated blazer* (sz XXS), Arket merino top (sz S – current colours linked), Lilysilk skirt* (sz 27), Sarah Flint boots* (use ‘SARAHFLINT-CCVIRGINIA1’ for 15% off your first pair of shoes), Ray Ban sunglasses; R: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), Sezane cardigan (sz XS), Nobody Denim jeans* (sz 26), New Balance sneakers (also here), Ray Ban sunglasses

When it comes to the internal configuration, there are 3 gussets with one zipper and one open pocket. To be honest, I think it could have been more simplified to one main compartment with perhaps a zipped pocket on the side, as the additional material that forms the internal compartments adds to the overall weight of the bag. I really only use the open pocket and don’t make use of the slim back gusset as I can’t think of anything beyond receipts and teeny tiny notes that would be appropriate to pop in there. 

On the question of weight, the bag is structured and the leather is hardwearing, but it’s not too heavy, so I think it’s okay. Put it this way, I don’t pack my bag with heavy things when I’m using it, so the strap isn’t digging into my shoulders if you get my drift. But is it as lightweight as my fanny packs? Obviously not. But I tend not to reach for my 1955 Horsebit bag when I’m going on my hot girl struts 🤪

L: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), Marks & Spencer trench coat* (sz AU 8), The Curated blazer* (sz XXS), Arket merino top (sz S – current colours linked), Lilysilk skirt* (sz 27), Sarah Flint boots* (use ‘SARAHFLINT-CCVIRGINIA1’ for 15% off your first pair of shoes), Ray Ban sunglasses; R: Gucci bag (AU link, US link, UK link also here), Power Of My People shirt* (sz M – use VIRGINIA10 for 10% off), Nobody Denim jeans* (sz 26), Ally shoes* (use ‘VIRGINIA40’ for $40USD off all heels – read my review of a similar, but higher, style, here), Ray Ban sunglasses

If you appreciate timeless luxury and you’re buying your bags for the long haul, you won’t be disappointed with this piece – particularly if it’s been on your radar for a while. At the time I hit publish on this post, the bag has just gone through another price rise, which will likely be the continuing trend given that’s what we’ve been seeing from all luxury houses.

Despite the price tag, which I honestly haven’t thought about since the bag has been in my life, I’m absolutely in love with it. It has been the only bag I’ve been reaching for when I need a compact bag to elevate my outfits. It’s not as dressy as a Chanel Classic Flap, but I reach for this over my Chanel bag as I prefer its understated look. If you’re deciding over one or the other, I’d definitely go for the Gucci! 

As always, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you found my review of my Gucci 1955 Horsebit bag to be useful. 

P.S. Like this review? You can read my other comprehensive bag reviews here, or better still, you can watch them over on my YouTube channel.