Balenciaga’s New Carrie Bowling Bag Is for The Grown-Up Y2K Girls

Y2K nostalgia has brought back a lot—some of it delightful, some of it deeply unhinged. Trucker hats. Chain belts. The hobo bags that dominated the period. But in the sea of flashy throwbacks, one quietly iconic silhouette has been waiting its turn: the bowling bag. This retro design - inspired by the roomy top-handle bags originally used to carry bowling balls - were reimagined as chic accessories in the early 2000s, especially by brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton and Prada (Prada's version especially remains a hotly sought-after commodity online).

Now, Balenciaga is bringing back this retro-chic silhouette with their new Carrie Bowling bag, which debuted in the brand's Summer 2025 collection. It’s structured but soft, made from grained calfskin with a smooth nappa lambskin lining. There’s no in-your-face branding—just a discreet embossed logo, a zipped top, and oversized handles that look just as good in your hand as they do slung over your shoulder. There’s even a little leather luggage tag, in case you feel like pretending you're on the way to the airport, even if you're just heading to brunch.

Available worldwide now in two sizes (small and medium) and in three colourways (black, white, and mint green, plus a chic burgundy that's exclusive to Europe and the Middle East), Balenciaga's version isn’t a throwback—it’s a reframe. It knows its references. It’s done the work. It’s here to be useful, chic, and maybe just a little nostalgic—for the parts of the 2000s we actually miss.

Below, a closer look at the Carrie Bowling:

Carrie Bowling small calfskin top-handle bag, $3,650

Carrie Bowling small calfskin top-handle bag, $3,650

Carrie Bowling small calfskin top-handle bag, $3,650

Carrie Bowling medium calfskin top-handle bag, $4,490