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Annie Brown

Granny would surely be delighted by one of the most pervasive handbag trends of now – the “kisslock” clasp bag.
Originating in the early 20th century, the top-handle frame bag has a metal “twist and lock” closure of two beads that slip around each other in a sort of “kiss”. Often carried on a chain, though it can also be a coin purse, the bag has had many iterations through history. It has also served as a potent source of inspiration for designers from Phoebe Philo at Celine to Jil Sander.
Josephine Cafagna, who runs the Etsy store VintageCaf – selling antique, vintage and handmade treasures – says the kisslock bag reached its peak in the 1950s and 60s.

“They were originally used on tiny mesh coin purses. For a modern take, they look fabulous on a chain worn around the neck. A little silver antique treasure,” she says.
The style, elegant and ladylike, was carried by the patron saint of refinement, Jackie Kennedy. A gold kisslock purse, owned by the former first lady and ultimate style icon, was said to have been included on a table of her personal artefacts for friends to pick through when she left the White House.
Today, the bag is again trending, on and off the runway.

One of the most influential agitators for the return of the kisslock bag is Stuart Vevers, the long-time creative director of Coach. Vevers played with a 1969 archival design by the brand’s first lead designer, Bonnie Cashin, at Coach’s spring/summer 2025 show in New York, and frankly it drove everyone wild. The since sold-out Large Kisslock Frame bag – delightfully oversized and crafted in glove-tanned leather – has been carried by everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker in the third season of And Just Like That… to Tracee Ellis Ross. On social media you can find reviews and “dupes” of the bag galore. In an Instagram Reel, Vevers says that while he always thought the bag was special, the success of it took him and his team by surprise. The first collection sold out online in 20 minutes. In part, Vevers thinks the resonance is because the “playful scale” of the bag allows for a “bold evolution of the archive design”.

In other words, the bag feels anything but retro.
It also proved that Coach – which last year saw revenue growth of 10 per cent year on year – remains on a winning streak.
Vevers isn’t the only contemporary creative playing with the elegant design. For spring/summer 2025, Simon Porte Jacquemus paired sportily chic silhouettes with sleek elongated clutches featuring round and cube kisslock hardware for his eponymous label. Cate Holstein at Khaite had boxier styles (the Cate) with a thick strap that models wore tucked into their elbows for her spring/summer 2025 show.

You can also find minimalist versions at Jil Sander and quirkier ones at Vivienne Westwood. For his haute couture debut at Dior, Jonathan Anderson showed an elongated version of the bag in silver metallic mesh that swept the floor as a model nonchalantly held it from its strap while walking down the runway.
On the red carpet, the bag recently made an appearance at the Grammy Awards, where Billie Eilish graced the event clad in a completely upcycled outfit from Hodakova. The monochrome look was accessorised with a kisslock bag in black leather.

As for how to wear them, look to the street-style set who have been pairing them with everything from full leather looks to slouchy denim.
Cafagna is another fan of the style – and of what she calls its most influential era.
“My favourite kisslock bags are from the 60s, and it’s from this era that designers such as Prada and Coach have borrowed,” she says. “I think the comeback is for several reasons: the retro look of the style, its elegant form that can also look casual, the super ease of closure and, for me, that fabulous snap sound of a closing kisslock.”

Best of all, as Cafagna notes, you can still find versions of them in vintage stores – though she advises taking care when investing in one.
“Whether you’re going new or vintage, my advice is to buy one that’s lined on the inside. You’ll get many more years of wear out of it and, who knows, maybe pass it on to your granddaughter.”
Oh yes, Granny would indeed be proud.


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They may have originated in the early 20th century, but today the bag is trending again, on and off the runway


They may have originated in the early 20th century, but today the bag is trending again, on and off the runway.


The timelessness of kisslock bags, as seen on Jackie Kennedy and now, Billie Eilish

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}They may have originated in the early 20th century, but today the bag is trending again, on and off the runway

They may have originated in the early 20th century, but today the bag is trending again, on and off the runway