If you follow even just a handful of influencers, then you are definitely familiar with the Dior bag that has been consistently present on our social media feeds since 2018 – the Saddle bag. Years later, it seems that the bag is not just a fad and will be sticking around. Read on to find out why.
The Story behind the Dior Saddle Bag
The Saddle bag was actually first released by Dior in 1999 by John Galliano who was the head designer of the French fashion house at the time. Part of the Spring / Summer 2000 collection, the Dior Saddle bag was inspired by the typical cowboy look and was designed to be worn tightly close to the armpit via a short strap. Following its release, the bag rose to fame and was carried by most A-Listers at the time. In fact, if you’re a Sex and the City fan, then you’ve most probably seen the Saddle bag on the arm of Carrie Bradshaw on the small screen.
Sarah Jessica Parker carrying the original Dior Saddle Bag in Sex and the City. Get the look.
Nearly 15 years later, the original Saddle bag started to make an appearance on the arms of celebrities and regular ladies alike and it naturally became a trend again. The comeback was so noticeable, that Maria Grazia Chiuri, current Creative Director of the Dior, decided to officially bring back the Saddle bag as part of the Autumn / Winter 2018 collection. With the help of a huge influencer campaign, the already iconic bag increased in popularity and became a permanent part of the Dior handbag collection.
The Design
When Dior re-released the Saddle bag, it was brought back in a slightly bigger size but the shape remained exactly the same. The ‘D’ stirrup-style magnetic clasp which hangs from the saddle shaped flap also remained unchanged. The handle of the bag features a house signature ‘CD’ hardware logo on both sides and it also comes with a long removable strap which was not available on the original version.
The new Dior Saddle bag measures at 25.5 x 20 x 6.5 cm and is sometimes referred to as the medium size due to the fact that there is also a Mini Saddle bag available (21 x 18 x 5 cm). The only difference between the two is the fact that the Mini bag does not come with a long strap.
One huge pro of the Saddle bag is the fact that it comes in so many different materials, patterns and colours. This means that whether you opt to go for the smooth or embossed calfskin version or a classic Dior Oblique or camouflage canvas style, you are far less likely to run into someone who has the exact same version of the bag despite its popularity.
How Much Does the Dior Saddle Bag Cost?
Due to the variety of materials and colours available, the price of the Dior Saddle bag may vary. That being said, the price of the standard size ranges between US$3,950 to US$5,800, depending on the material. On the other hand, the cost of the Mini Saddle bag is US$3,900.
The Dior Saddle Collection
Due to the popularity of the bag, the Saddle collection has now been expanded to more than just the original bag. The collection includes Saddle wallets, pouches, coin purses and cardholders and also features a Saddle Belt Pouch which comes in a standard and nano version.