I’m a Fashion Editor Who Loves Handbags—I Always Come Back to This One French Brand

When it comes to trends, style tropes and institutions, none have quite the same effect on our audience than that of French Girl style. Difficult to describe but easy to spot (because if you know, you just know), it’s probably best put into words as just effortlessly chic. It’s not really about the cliché items one often associates with this stylish country (Breton shirts, berets or red lipstick, et al) but more a way of thinking, a point of view. It’s a nonchalance, or a coolness when it comes to dressing. It’s the ability to try just enough to look good, but to also appear as if it took no time or thought at all to get there.

Whilst the French have perfected many things when it comes to style—tailoring, couture, accessories—I could go on, only some luxury French brands have been able to keep lasting power. Longchamp is one of those brands. Founded in 1948 in Paris, Longchamp has all the French heritage required to be considered a classic institution amongst the world’s leading designers, but its direction in recent years has enabled it to evolve far beyond its heritage, or French Girl style, but harness its own classic-yet-cool sensibility—not only for its accessories but also ready-to-wear.

But let’s talk bags for a moment. Whilst we’ve long been fans of classics like Le Pliage, the latest Longchamp bag we can’t get enough of is the Le Roseau. The Le Roseau bag is the latest accessory to know. Coming in a variety of colours, sizes and materials (wait until you see the faux-fur), Longchamp’s reimagined its iconic It bag, and I’ve noticed it on the arms of many of the fashion industry’s most stylish people.

Le Roseau has many different colours, fabrics and silhouettes in its collection. There’s the bucket bag, the handbag, the phone bag, the card holder and so many more. Usually when I say an accessory comes in a variety of colours or fabrics, people expect black, tan, canvas and leather, but if you know Longchamp, you know how playful it can be. This very tactile latest collection showcases velvet and faux fur and focuses on pink. Nude, Marshmallow, Ballerina, Beetroot—there is quite literally no shade of this happy hue that this collection doesn’t cover—all finished with the signature Le Roseau bamboo hardware.

And the pink theme doesn’t stop with the Le Roseau bag. The latest ready-to-wear edit is also having a pretty in pink moment, with a series of pink satin and velvet suits, bomber jackets, mini dresses and elevated sporty pieces perfect for occasions throughout the festive period and into 2025. I tried on 3 looks perfect for dressier occasions, be it a dinner date, a night out or a wedding guest, all with a different Le Roseau bag as my date.

Style Notes: I love this look as it’s such a cool take on occasion dressing. A sharp suit is a great example of how to nail event dressing without wearing a dress—and this satin one, with a slightly flared leg and silver button on the blazer, goes perfectly with the Beetroot edition of the Le Roseau handbag. I would wear this for anything from an elevated work event (there’s no denying that tailoring lends so well to a professional occasion), but then the velvet pink version would also be great to wear as a guest to a winter wedding. What I love about this ecru, however, is how it contrasts with the rich burgundy leather of the Beetroot hue. My top styling tip is to play with how you carry this—I like the crossbody for more casual occasions, but the top handle feels a little cuter, a little more evening-appropriate.

Style Notes: If I’m to host a fancy lunch, or go out for a special dinner date (a birthday, an anniversary etc), this is the exact kind of look I’m likely to pull. Extra-extra small bags have long been having a moment, and whilst I don’t want them too small, the XS Le Roseau is small enough to make it certifiably sweet, whilst still having space to fit my essentials. Longchamp’s Ballerina leather shade is a creamy, pale pink hue, meaning it blends wonderfully with pieces from the ready-to-wear pre-spring collection. This technical taffeta kimono is such a fresh take on an everyday blazer; the stiff taffeta fabric makes the silhouette really pop on the hips, giving that hourglass shape when cinched in with one of the brand’s iconic silk scarves. It would also be perfect with denim and a t-shirt for more casual occasions, but of course, so would this bag!

Style Notes: You probably don’t need me to remind you that the festive season is quite literally around the corner, but just in case you do—consider this your formal warning. New Year’s Eve is the hallmark of the party season schedule for me—it’s a time for unrivalled joy and silliness. As such, this look is perfect. As we come well into the winter months, soft textures like faux fur are becoming increasingly popular. “Obsessed” is just one word to describe my feelings towards this fun fabric. Like much of the ready-to-wear in this edit, the bomber jacket could easily be worn more casually, but I think zipped up with a sequin dress below, it’s an ideal party ensemble. Naturally, no faux fur bomber is quite right without its sidekicks—the matching Le Roseau faux fur bucket bag, and the strappy heeled sandals.

DISCOVER MORE OF THE LE ROSEAU COLLECTION