The Chloé Bags Worth Buying

The Paddington is the bag that built the modern Chloé handbag, defined by that oversized brass padlock and the slouchy, lived-in grain. In our catalogue it sits between roughly £1,065 for a small chain version and £2,450 for the embossed python-effect, so there's a clear ladder from entry to statement. Buy the Small Paddington Chain Shoulder Bag first if you want the look on a budget; the full Paddington Handbag at £2,050 is the heritage shape, weightier and more structured. The suede crossbody is the easiest to wear hands-free, and the python-effect version is the one to reach for if you want the padlock to do the talking. A genuinely characterful bag that ages well, but know that the leather is soft and meant to slouch, not stand to attention.

If the Paddington is the statement, the Marcie is the workhorse. The saddle-stitched flap and equestrian hardware give it a structured, grown-up shape that holds its form whether you carry the small or the medium. Prices land between £1,600 for the Small Marcie Shoulder Bag and £1,950 for the Medium, with the Chain Flap versions around £1,635 to £1,690 if you prefer to wear it cross-body on a chain. The Marcie Hobo Tote at £1,740 is the softer, roomier read for anyone who overpacks. This is the Chloé bag we'd recommend to a first-time buyer who wants something that looks considered five years from now, not just this season. Start with the Small Marcie Shoulder Bag and size up only if you carry a laptop.

The Woody is the most accessible way into the brand, and the basket and tote versions are the ones you'll actually reach for on a Saturday. A Mini Woody Tote starts around £448, the Small Woody Basket sits at £590, and the Large Woody Basket holds at £650, so the whole family lands well under four figures. The Summer Banana and Terry Plage totes push the holiday angle further, all raffia, towelling and sun. Of the lot, the Large Woody Basket is the best value: roomy, casual, and instantly recognisable from the logo strap. Skip these if you want a structured leather bag, because they're built to be soft and beachy. Buy one as your warm-weather carry and let the Marcie handle the rest of the year.

This is where Chloé has been pushing recently, and it's worth a look if you want something less familiar than the Paddington. The Spin runs as both a soft handbag and a tote, from £770 for the suede version up to £1,290 for the full Spin Tote, with a Small Spin Handbag at £1,250. The Bracelet Hobo is the curvier, more sculptural option around £2,050 to £2,390, with that rigid handle that sits neatly in the crook of the arm. The Eden Treasures and Sea Treasures pieces lean decorative, while the Penelope, Tess and Kerala 25 give you cleaner, more structured silhouettes. Buy the Small Spin Handbag first; it's the most wearable of the new shapes and the easiest price to justify. The Bracelet Hobo is the one to save for if you want a quieter investment that still looks current.

For evenings and events, Chloé keeps a small run of bags built to be looked at. The Floral Appliqué Chain Bag tops the catalogue at £2,622, the Camera Shoulder Bag and Camera Handbag sit at £2,250, and The 99 Shoulder Bag at £1,490 reads as a cleaner, more minimal occasion piece. The Icon and Charm Hobo bags fall in between if you want a touch of decoration without going full event. Of these, The 99 is the most versatile; it dresses up but still works by day. The Floral Appliqué is pure statement, so buy it only if you already own the everyday bags and want something for the diary. The Camera styles bridge the gap, compact enough for hands-free but finished to a higher level than the casual totes.