The Balenciaga Hourglass Bag: A Class Act To Know Now
Most bags are either classic in style or wildly quirky (read: modern). The new Balenciaga Hourglass is the rare one that nails both.
By KENG YANG SHUEN,
That same grown-up sensibility can be found in Balenciaga's latest bag, the Hourglass, an elegant top-handle number that debuted at the brand's F/W'19 show.
To those who might be accustomed to the designer's penchant for the wacky (remember those platform Crocs from S/S'18?), the Hourglass is admittedly reminiscent of more vintage styles. It's unexpected but the end result is lovely. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the bag is its curved, crescent-shaped base, a reference to Cristobal Balenciaga's signature Basque-waist coats (a body-skimming fit, giving the effect of a nipped waist). Alongside the bag's other geometric details (its trapezoid shape and the distinctive B-shaped buckle), the overall effect is one that is both classic yet sharply contemporary.
The Hourglass comes in three sizes (XS, Small and Medium) and can be worn as is or cross-body style via a detachable strap. It's a tough act to balance between classic styles and contemporary design but we think Balenciaga has nailed it here - small wonder the Hourglass is among fashion editor Imran Jalal's top picks for the season.