The Balenciaga Bag We All Wanted In The Noughties Is Back – Here’s How To Shop It

In fashion terms, you can divide eras, years - even decades - by the it bags that accompanied them. They have become time-telling signifiers, instantly recognisable and inextricably linked to its most notorious wearers at the time. In the ‘50s, it was Jackie Kennedy sporting her namesake Gucci bag (which was later reissued in the ‘90s as the New Jackie by Tom Ford); in the ‘90s, Fendi’s Baguetteshoulder bag was all the rage, and the noughtieswere in favour of the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink holdalls, like the Balenciaga City bag, that were aptly in line with the discombobulated aesthetic of the era of the It-girls.

And just as fashion’s recalibrated its senses, with its new onus firmly shifted to the early aughts, the latter is making a stealth return to our wardrobes. First launched in 2001 and famously worn by Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan, the Olsen twins and Nicole Richie to name but a handful of its most notable owners, the Le City bag was a mainstay in the wardrobes of anyone that Hollywood’s paparazzi were chasing after.

Two decades later and the rectangular bag with it’s signature studs and buckles is being ushered into its second act by a fervid fandom, who are chasing after the ever-so-slightly more polished Y2Kvibes. And to celebrate the French house’s signature style, Balenciaga released a new campaign featuring Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss, Amelia Gray and Kit Butler, putting the spotlight on the bag once more.

Where can I buy the Balenciaga Le City bag second-hand?

There’s something to be said about the beauty of buying archive styles second-hand. They often come worn-in which, in the case of the Le City bag, is very much favourable - and tell their own story of a very, ahem, messy past. Good news then, that there’s a plethora of vintage styles out there for you to get your hands on if you’re not opposed to a holdall with patina. Gavrielle Weiss, Grazia’s fashion assistant, is a devoted City wearer – she found her favourite bag second-hand.

‘Tried, trusted and true, my Balenciaga Le City bag has been my everyday go-to work bag for just over two years. Growing up, the Olsen twins were the pinnacle of fashion inspo to me, so when it was time to buy a bag for my first ‘big girl’ job, I knew immediately the Le City would fit the bill,’ she says. How do you score such a vintage treasure? Patience is the answer. ‘After some light haggling on Vestiaire Collective, I bought it in 2022 for just under £350. While it came with some wear and tear, I find that Le City bags, much like quality denim, Pamela Anderson and fine wine, just get better with age. In sickness and in health, my Le City never fails to hold my laptop, makeup, chargers and the many crumpled up pieces of paper sitting at the bottom that I should have binned months ago. Practical and effortlessly chic; the Le City bag is back and better than ever.’

Shop: The Best Second-Hand Balenciaga Le City Bags

Henrik Lischke is the Senior Fashion Features Editor at Grazia. Prior to that, he held the role of commerce writer at British Vogue, and was junior fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style. A first-class honours Fashion Journalism graduate from UAL: London College of fashion, Henrik is invariably on the lookout for the newest talent in fashion, that is driving the industry forward, and shining the spotlight on them whenever possible. He’s also got a passion for interiors design and the arts.