Back in the day, fashion enthusiasts followed Princess Diana’s handbags closely. The impressive, timeless pieces carried by the Princess of Wales quickly became the talk of the town. She had a bag for every occasion, whether it was a night out, a royal duty day, or a casual errand.
Long after her passing in 1997, many of these iconic Princess Diana bags were renamed in her honor, such as the Chanel, Gucci, and Lady Diana Dior bags. Before you seek them out in boutiques and the reseller market, get to know the impactful totes that the British royal made history with.
10 Magnificent and Timeless Princess Diana Bags
1. Gucci Bamboo Handle Tote (Gucci Diana)
The spacious and understated Gucci Bamboo Handle tote bag was one of the frequently spotted Princess Diana bags, a familiar complement to her casual outfits. It carried a versatile character that could switch seamlessly between relaxed and formal styles, as photographed in a couple of her iconic outfits. By the year 2021, then-creative director Alessandro Michele renamed the tote as the Gucci Diana bag and led its reissue.
2. Dior Chouchou (Lady Dior)
Another memorable item from Princess Diana’s bag collection is the Dior Chouchou. Its original name means “favorite” in French, and was later renamed to what we know today as the Lady Dior. A year before the Chouchou was officially released, she received it as a gift from former French first lady Bernadette Chirac. Decked out in a quilted, jacquard-style motif and a Dior charm, the boxy top-handle bag was frequently spotted as her arm candy on preppy looks.
Today, the Lady Diana Dior bag comes in an array of sizes and colors, from pale to vibrant, classic collections to highly coveted rare editions.
3. Ferragamo Lady Di Bag (Diana Clutch)
The collection will never be complete without her favorite Salvatore Ferragamo pieces. One of them is the Lady Di handbag, which was one of the custom-designed Princess Diana bags. In fact, Sarah Mower from Vogue estimated that the royalty owned over 20 Lady Di’s. Through many events and iconic outfits, the Princess was photographed carrying diverse colors, sizes, and styles, bearing the recognizable Gancio clasp and chain straps. It was later renamed the Diana clutch.
4. Tod’s D Bag (Di Bag)
An obvious favorite among Princess Diana’s bags is the Tod’s D Bag. In natural beige color, the boxy and roomy tote completed her effortless off-duty looks. Years later, it also gained a celeb cult following. Stars like Anne Hathaway, Naomi Campbell, and Nicole Kidman also sported this feminine beauty. The discreet Italian luxury house renamed it to the Di Bag and relaunched it for the 2022/2023 Fall-Winter season collection.
5. Versace Medusa Croc-Embossed Bag (Medusa ‘95)
Following her separation from Prince Charles in the early ‘90s, Princess Diana became close friends with Gianni Versace and worked with him to create and experiment with a more liberal personal style. After his death in 1997, she attended his final tribute carrying a crocodile-embossed bag with a top handle and gold Medusa hardware.
Now, the style is one of the vintage Princess Diana bags that can still be found on the reseller market. Meanwhile, the Italian luxe brand reissued a modern interpretation, the Medusa ‘95. It incorporates various elements from the original piece while keeping it contemporary.
6. Prada Champagne Tote with Chain Strap
Wearing a champagne-colored Prada tote bag, she flew on official visits to Moscow, Pakistan, and Chicago from 1995 to 1996. The smooth, pristine calfskin exterior and gold link chain gave her an angelic glow. Neutral colors, functionality, and style seem to matter a lot when it comes to Princess Diana bags.
7. Chanel Flap (Chanel Diana)
There is a familiar narrative that says Chanel disappeared from the Princess Diana bag collection because the interlocking “CC” logo reminded her of Charles and Camila, his lover. In truth, the Princess was frequently photographed with their classic handbags throughout her fame.
This now-rare vintage version of the classic flap features a curved flap and a thick, unquilted border enclosing the signature diamond-quilted body. It was created by Karl Lagerfeld in 1989 and later renamed the Chanel Diana bag. Production was discontinued in 1995 but was revived for the SS15 collection; however, the original vintage collection remains far more precious and superior for collectors.
8. Chanel Cream Caviar Shoulder Bag
Stunning in another minimalist hue, this cream Chanel caviar shoulder bag truly befits a royal. This particular piece was one of the seldom-spotted pieces in Princess Diana bag collection, but definitely turned heads during her attendance at an event in the United States.
9. Chanel White Top Handle
Small Princess Diana handbags were a constant companion when attending events. One of them was a Chanel Top Handle bag in white caviar leather. It is likely the same bag that vintage Chanel fans call the “Kelly”, and is now only available through the luxury resale market, much like the Chanel Diana flap. She famously carried the same top-handle handbag during a charity dress auction in New York.
10. Gucci Lady Lock Handbag
The Gucci Lady Lock in taupe leather and gold-tone hardware is also one of the more low-key Princess Diana bags. She was seen carrying the tote in 1997 during a visit to the British Lung Foundation, along with a gorgeous flower bouquet. The angular, structured bag is no longer in production today and can only be found through vintage luxury resellers.
It is not difficult to see how much Princess Diana handbags influenced fashion trends from her heyday to modern times. No matter how much time passes, her legacy of courage, kindness, and style lives on. Princess Diana bags truly remain the ‘it’ girl staples. Which one is your favorite?
ALSO READ: 18 Goyard Tote Bag Styles You Should Know About
Dreaming of following in Lady Di’s fashion footsteps? Get your vintage and reissued pieces at Mommy Micah, your trusted luxury bag shop in the Philippines. Choose from in-demand classics from houses like Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Prada, Ferragamo, and more! Follow us on Instagram (@mommymicahluxebagstore and @mommymicahofficial) and tune in to our live selling to get exclusive first dibs and discounted prices for hard-to-find pieces.
