Christian Dior bags have eternalised elegance and are the reigning staple accessories in countless celebrity closets. Crafted using the brand’s creativity and savoir-faire, iconic bags ranging from Lady Dior to Book Tote, certain investment handbags are immediate must-haves to upgrade any wardrobe.
The legendary designer’s very first couture house opened in Paris’ Tony Avenue Montaigne in October 1946 with an aim to help women discover their personal style through timeless designs. By 1949, the brand had garnered a cult following and had become one of the best fashion exports of France, desired by the entire world.
Purchasing a luxury handbag is a considerable investment and choosing a piece that retains its value and outlives seasons and trends is of utmost importance.
Many of the Dior designs from today are reiterations of the original pieces that were sensationalised by famous personalities such as Diana, Princess of Wales in 1995 and Sarah Jessica Parker and Paris Hilton in the early 2000s. The statement bags embodied the idea of manifesting opulence to empower yourself, owning your true identity and expressing yourself through fashion.
From the Lady Dior Bag, sported by the K-pop group BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, to the Dior Saddle bag carried by Kourtney Kardashian and Bella Hadid, along with Jessica Alba’s airport essential, the Dior Book Tote, there is no dearth of iconic Dior handbags to choose from.
Are Christian Dior bags worth investing in?
Dior bags are known for their fine craftsmanship, exceptional quality and timeless designs and are generally considered as good investments. They usually hold their value while some iconic styles such as the Lady Dior, 30 Montaigne and the Saddle Bag even tend to appreciate in the resale market.
If you’re looking to splurge on a statement designer bag that is sure to never go out of style, look no further.
Here’s our guide to the most voguish and versatile bags for men and women.
Let’s take a look at ten of the most coveted and timeless Dior bags
Jump To / Table of Contents
- The Lady Dior Bag
- The Saddle Bag
- The Book Tote
- Lady D-Lite Bag
- DiorDouble Bag
- Caro Bag
- St Honoré Tote
- Bobby Bag
- 30 Montaigne Bag
- The Dior Vibe Bag
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One of the brand’s earliest and most legendary handbags, the Lady Dior Bag was named after Diana, the Princess of Wales. Princess Diana was famously seen sporting the Chouchou bag, as it was called earlier, on various occasions after which it was aptly rechristened.
The epitome of femininity, elegance and sophistication, this bag was gifted to Diana by France’s first lady Bernadette Chirac in 1995. Thereafter, the princess instantaneously became a fan and incorporated the Dior bag into her wardrobe. She carried every available version with her to her outings.
Since then, all the creative heads who succeeded Monsieur Christian Dior, including Marc Bohan and John Galliano and current creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, have retained the classic silhouettes, shapes, textures and forms in the latest collections of Dior bags.
A modernised, teeny tiny take on the classic Lady Dior Bag — The Micro Lady Dior Bag — can be seen with BLACKPINK member and Dior global ambassador Jisoo, who posted a picture flaunting the adorable bag on her Instagram page. Jisoo pairs the luxury house’s tiny iteration of the famed bag with a classic white collared top and blue, stonewashed denim jeans.
Since its inception, the Lady Dior was and remains to date, a beloved accessory of handbag connoisseurs, since it gracefully ties together any style or aesthetic. From feminine flowy dresses to rompers and blue denim, it perfectly compliments any kind of outfit in every season. It is still one of the most iconic Dior handbags of all time.
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An instant collectible, the retro equestrian-inspired Dior Saddle bag and its many beautiful versions, are an all-time favourite of celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Bella Hadid, Rita Ora and Dakota Fanning among others.
As part of Dior’s spring 2000 ready-to-wear collection, the then-creative head of Dior, John Galliano piloted the Saddle Bag in 1999 to symbolise ‘riding’ into a brand new millennium.
The style of the bag was etched in history by the popular TV show Sex and the City, when beloved it-girl Carrie Bradshaw, carried the handbag in the series and gave birth to the ‘Y2K’ style as we now know it.
After this fashion moment, there was no looking back for this statement flap bag, as it further cemented its cult status by being a staple in the wardrobe of 2000s celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
The latest Dior collections are reminiscent of the Y2K style, which is all the rage right now. Various newer versions of the saddle bag can be seen adorning the shoulders of famous celebrities and social media influencers. Thrifted fashion is also witnessing this vintage influence and bringing back styles from the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.
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Countless celebrities can be seen sporting this cult-classic tote bag given its perfect carry-on size and comfort. It is an airport and travel essential for many, including Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Karlie Kloss and Diane Kruger, whose work often includes hopping from one glamorous city to another.
Conceptualised from a sketch done by Marc Bohan in 1967, the Book Tote quickly became popular among the rich and the famous, owing to its simple shape, sturdy and convenient sizes. The bag is crafted in attractive and colourful embroidered textiles.
Highlighting the Dior logo and even a personal monogram engraved on it upon request, the Dior Book Tote comes in various sizes ranging from mini to large. The brand also offers the option between a horizontally and vertically shaped tote as per your need.
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A more informal counterpart of the classic Lady Dior handbag, the debut showcase of Lady D-Lite Bag happened in the luxury giant’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection shows. The playful handbag is made in embroidered and colourful textiles like canvas and velvet, as well as solid colours like black and grey.
Combining classic Dior elegance and modernity, the Lady D-lite bag comes in various sizes, prints and motifs. The meticulously designed bag includes a wide, reversible and removable embroidered shoulder strap, making it easy for wearers to carry it by hand, throw it over the shoulder or sling across the body for added comfort.
It also features large zip pockets and the thick ‘D.I.O.R.’ charms in pale gold-finish metal, along with the signature logo.
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The modern flap bag, dubbed the DiorDouble Bag, is intelligently crafted to cater to the different needs of the user. The sleek jacquard creation highlights its day-to-night versatility with its magnetic flap, detachable chain strap that can be worn over the shoulder, carried as a pouch or used as a crossbody sling bag.
The bag features the hallmark Dior logo and an antique gold-finish ‘CD’ signature, along with a patch and zip pocket for convenience. It complements any kind of outfit and can easily traverse between a casual, day-time look and a more formal, put-together nighttime look. The DoubleDior bag is available in a slew of colours and sizes.
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Loved by notable celebrities like singer Jisoo and actresses Angelababy, Bae Suzy, Lucy Ramos, Maria Bakalova, Yuko Araki and Cynthia Samuel, the classic Caro Bag was reinvented during the Spring-Summer 2021 ready-to-wear show.
With the delicate golden chains holding together the gracefully cannage-quilted leather silhouette and the gold-finish oversized ‘CD’ signature at the clasp, the Caro Bag never fails to impress. Available in different solid colours like black, white and grey, the bag is a timeless and distinctive creation adding a daring yet subtle touch to your wardrobe.
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Another fashion staple from Dior’s iconic 30 Montaigne line, the St Honoré Tote is a luxurious leather bag which was named after Dior’s boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré located in the heart of Paris’s legendary fashion district.
The versatile tote bag features timeless design, two large interior compartments with their signature ‘CD’ clasp to tie the look together. Made in calfskin and lambskin, the tote comes in a variety of sizes, solid neutral colours and a few funky patterns and motifs as well.
The bag also has an embossed ’30 MONTAIGNE’ signature on the back with removable and adjustable straps for added functionality.
Image: Courtesy Ann Kathrin Gotze/@annkathringotze/Instagram
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An ode to the hobo style and named after Christian Dior’s beloved dog, the crescent-shaped Bobby bag is a gorgeous handbag featuring adjustable and removable straps. The sophisticated, supple bag comes in different sizes, materials like jacquard and calfskin and solid colours and fun prints.
It is adorned with the signature gold-finish metal logo and a wide blue Dior Oblique embroidered strap. An array of celebrities from Jisoo to Scha Alyahya, Davikah, Suzy Bae, Jane Chuck and Juwei Teoh are seen flaunting these beauties when they are out and about.
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Dubbed 30 Montaigne as a tribute to Dior’s iconic address in the French capital, Paris, the designs first debuted in the Pre-Fall 2019 collection. A quiet go-to for celebrities and non-celebs alike, the bags from this line have garnered admirers owing to its subtle and classic design.
The newest line is tactfully designed by Dior’s current creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri. The workhorse bag is embellished with a distinctive golden ‘CD’ fastening and a hand-sculpted logo. The bags come in elegant sizes and colours and materials like calfskin, canvas and jacquard. It can be styled in many ways owing to its adjustable shoulder strap.
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The brand new line of the Dior Vibe bags made its debut at the Dior 2022 Cruise Show in Athens, adding a sporty yet elegant element to the luxury house’s bag repertoire. The bags are crafted using bold lines and innovative materials and are adorned with the Dior Étoile and Dior Oblique motifs, perfect for people with an active, on-the-go lifestyle.
Matching an athletic and youthful ‘vibe’, the bags feature in relaxed hobo and bowling formats, showcasing a casual yet sophisticated look. Blending the world of sportswear with the brand’s heritage, the Dior Vibe collection made a splash at the spring/summer 2022 ready-to-wear runway show.
Available in different versions, colours, sizes and materials like smooth calfskin and lambskin, the Dior Vibe bag is definitely a must-have if you want to go on a vacation or even workout in the gym without compromising on style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What is Dior known for in the world of fashion?
In the fashion landscape, Dior is extremely popular for its diverse and avant-garde range of apparel, couture pieces, leather goods, couture and accessories such as bags and jewellery. Additionally, the fashion house is also famous for its luxe beauty range and fragrances.
– Are Dior bags expensive?
Yes, bags by Dior are expensive as it’s a luxury brand that’s renowned for its pieces made with expert and skilled craftsmanship using premium quality materials that stand the test of time. Additionally, the brand’s prestige and status, their iconic and limited edition styles, their rich heritage, image and legacy built over the years and high worth in the resale market, also contribute to the bags’ price points.
– What are some popular Dior bag styles?
Some of the most popular Christian Dior bag styles include the Lady Dior, Saddle Bag, 30 Montaigne Bag, the Book Tote, Lady D-Lite and Bobby Bag.
– Where can I purchase authentic Dior bags?
While some pieces can also be available on their official website, you can buy authentic Dior bags from their flagship stores and boutiques.
– Can I customise my Dior bag?
Yes, through Dior’s My ABCDior personalisation service, you can get your name or initials embroidered on some iconic bag styles such as the Book Tote, Lady D-Lite and Saddle bag. You can also have metal hardware charms or initials added to the strap of your Lady Dior.
– What is a Dior Box Bag?
Dior Box Bags are compact crossbody bags that come in two variants — 30 Montaigne Box Bag and Caro Box Bag. Both the styles are further available in a myriad of patterns and hues.
– What are some of the best-selling accessory items by Dior?
Some of the best-selling fashion accessories by Dior include Mitzah scarves, belts, silk scarves and hats.
(Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy Dior/Instagram ; All Product Images: Courtesy Dior)
