Handbags

The Most Iconic Types of Prada Handbags

The most iconic Prada handbags are more than just fashion accessories. They’re bold statements against industry conventions. 

By 

Meyme Nakash

 |  February 10, 2025

Prada is one of the most important fashion brands today. The Italian luxury house is known for its ethos of transgressive fashion, and its handbags are no different. Many have a disruptive design; they typically have irregular silhouettes and focus on non-luxury materials rather than traditional leather — although Prada’s mastery of leather goods is what originally put the brand on the map. 

In 1913, brothers Mario and Martino Prada founded Fratelli Prada as a leather goods boutique in Milan. By 1919, its handbags, trunks, and beauty cases had earned such high regard for their simplicity and attention to detail that Prada became the official supplier of the Italian Royal House, also known as the House of Savoy (1861-1946). Subsequently, the brand received permission to incorporate the royal coat of arms and knotted rope motif into its now-iconic triangle logo. 

When it was time for Mario to retire, he reluctantly passed on the family business to his daughter, Luisa, despite his deep-seated belief that women should only hold domestic roles (his son didn’t want the job). By 1978, Luisa’s daughter, Miuccia Prada, took the helm of Prada and has since turned it into a fashion empire. 

From opening stores worldwide to introducing Prada’s first ready-to-wear line in 1988, the list of ways Miuccia Prada has propelled the brand is endless. She even founded Prada’s sister label, Miu Miu, in 1992 (learn more with our guide to Miu Miu handbags). This allowed her to lean further into an aesthetic called “ugly chic,” a term she coined to embody her irreverent approach to women’s fashion and beauty standards. Both brands champion this movement with unconventional materials (famously, nylon), 1950s-style patterns, and subversive styling (think socks and heels). By making ugly things beautiful, Miuccia Prada actively diminishes the patriarchal beliefs of Prada’s founders, all while pushing the brand to new heights.

In 2020, famed Belgian designer Raf Simons joined Miuccia Prada as the co-creative director of the brand. Together, they’ve reinvented archival types of Prada handbags and created new ones that channel Prada’s rebellious spirit. Here, we round up the most iconic types of Prada handbags and unpack their unique qualities. 

In This Article

• Galleria 
• Cleo
• Re-Edition
• Prada Aimée
• Prada Buckle 
• Prada Arqué
• Mini
• The Symbole
• Tote 
• Crochet Tote

The Most Iconic Types of Prada Handbags

Galleria

The Galleria bag is a timeless classic. Its name pays homage to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the landmark shopping center in Milan where Mario Prada opened his first boutique. In 2007, Miuccia Prada designed and released the handbag as a pragmatic style for every day. Her main inspiration was frame-shaped medicine bags from the 1940s because of their functional curved top handles and rectilinear silhouettes. 

The bag was originally offered in Saffiano, Prada’s patented leather with a crosshatched pattern. This type of leather is water-repellent and scratch-resistant, so it’s durable enough to withstand ordinary wear and tear. Over the years, Prada has reimagined the Galleria bag in bold colors and printed leather, as well as in satin with elaborate embellishments. Still, the exceptional craftsmanship of the handsewn bag — which comprises 83 pieces of leather — remains. 

The Galleria bag comes in four sizes, from micro to large, and medium is the most popular. Generally, the medium and large Galleria are often used as workbags or chic diaper bags because of their spaciousness. All sizes have a rectangular silhouette with Prada’s triangle logo on the front, two top handles, a detachable shoulder strap, and expanding side panels with snap closures. A key feature of this type of Prada handbag is that you can flip the handles down when you wear it as a crossbody. Inside, there are two zippered compartments — large enough to fit regular-sized documents — and one central compartment. A classic medium Galleria bag in Saffiano leather costs $4,700 at retail. 

Cleo

Prada debuted the Cleo bag as part of its spring/summer 2021 collection, although its shape traces back to other Prada handbags from the 1990s. A collaboration between Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, the bag has a distinctive silhouette, with curved lines and a rounded bottom. Since its relaunch, the Cleo has become a universally recognized fashion staple, earning its status as one of the most iconic handbags. It comes in sizes ranging from micro to medium, with medium being the most in-demand. A classic medium Cleo costs $3,250 at retail. 

The Cleo comes in spazzolato calfskin leather, which has a matte yet slightly glossy finish. It comes in two versions: one without a flap and another with it. A classic medium Cleo Flap is $3,500 in the boutique. Even if you choose the version without a flap, you can rest assured your belongings won’t fall out, thanks to a magnetic snap closure; the Cleo Flap just adds a measure of security. Prada’s iconic enamel triangle logo is situated at the top of the original Cleo’s body and on the flap of the Cleo Flap.

If you prefer to embrace luxury brands more quietly, Prada offers a Cleo version with a metal clasp in lieu of an enamel triangle logo. On the flip side, some limited-edition Cleo bags take a maximalist approach, with Prada written across them, as in the case of the sequined Cleo. All Cleo bags are lined with satin and have one internal compartment with a small slot pocket on the back wall.

Re-Edition

In 2000, Miuccia Prada introduced the first Prada nylon handbag. Fashion aficionados, including celebrities like Paris Hilton, welcomed the compact handbag with open arms, causing the brand to release similar versions in the years thereafter. This came to a halt in 2005, when Prada discontinued its nylon handbag line because of a greater shift toward oversize handbags. However, after Y2K trends resurfaced in 2019, Prada reissued the iconic Prada nylon bag line. The collection uses its proprietary material, Re-Nylon, and each bag is called the Re-Edition of its original release year.

The two most popular Re-Edition bags are 2000 and 2005. The Re-Edition 2000 has a fabric shoulder strap, a zipper closure, a Re-Edition keychain, and an enameled triangle logo on the front. There’s one internal compartment that’s lined with Prada’s logo printed nylon. While the main Re-Edition 2005 example retains the silhouette and features of the Re-Edition 2000, it comes with several additional and removable features: a chain shoulder strap, an adjustable crossbody strap, and a nylon zipper pouch. The chain gives it an extra edge, making the Re-Edition 2005 the Re-Edition 2000’s sportier counterpart. Because its added features are removable, you can customize your bag to your preference on any given day. 

These bag reinterpretations come at an important time for the fashion industry, as they help to mitigate the harmful effects caused by fast fashion with recyclable nylon. Prada’s Re-Nylon is made from 100% recycled purified plastic trash collected from the ocean; this includes textile waste fibers and fishing nets. A classic mini Re-Edition 2000 costs $1,250, and a Re-Edition 2005 costs $1,990 at retail.

Prada Aimée

Introduced as part of the brand’s fall/winter 2024 collection, the Prada Aimée is an ode to 1990s minimalism. It has a rectangular, slouching silhouette that dips in the middle for an intentionally laid-back appearance. Prada accomplishes this by using its Re-Nylon material, calfskin, and suede rather than its signature Saffiano leather, which is known for its rigid quality. The softer materials allow the bag to naturally curve upward when you hold it in hand or over the shoulder. It has a top zipper, a removable key ring, an adjustable shoulder strap with a belt buckle detail, and an enamel metal triangle logo on the front. Inside, there’s a nappa leather lining and two pockets, one of which has a zipper. 

The Prada Aimée is available in two sizes: medium and large. For now, only the medium is available in suede, but it’s possible that the brand will create a large version with the material in the future. A medium Prada Aimée in calfskin leather costs $2,850 at retail, whereas the same bag in size large is $3,250.  

Prada Buckle 

The Prada Buckle bag debuted during the spring/summer 2024 show, and its understated quality suggests that it will have enduring appeal. Despite its structured top handle and square silhouette, this style doesn’t exactly follow all handbag conventions; it features a belt strap that narrows the bag ever so slightly, giving it a relaxed but unmistakably refined appearance. Of course, the belt strap is removable, in case you ever want a more pared-back look (but why would you?). The top handles also have a removable loop that you can close to keep the handles together. There’s no crossbody strap, which differentiates this carry-all style from Prada tote bags, which we discuss in this section. Another departure from other similar styles by the brand is the Prada lettering on the front in lieu of the enamel logo. 

Inside, there’s a leather separator in the middle with a slim compartment, meaning there are three interior compartments. Ultimately, the Prada Buckle’s functionality is what makes it a fan favorite, having appeared in the hands of celebrities such as pop singer Dua Lipa. The bag comes in sizes small, medium, and large, medium being the most popular. It’s available only in calfskin leather with a nappa leather lining, and the medium version is $4,900 at retail.

Prada Arqué

Easily recognizable by its crescent shape, the Prada Arqué bag is a compact yet functional style for every day. Prada released it in 2023, but it’s a reinterpretation of a similar bag from the early 2000s. The hobo-style bag has detachable, adjustable shoulder and crossbody straps. It has an enamel Prada logo on the front, gold-tone hardware, and a top zipper. The inside has a nappa leather lining and contains one small slip pocket on the back wall. Its smooth calfskin leather construction comes in neutral and bright colors. It also comes in a soft brown suede, perfect for autumn. This type of Prada handbag comes in sizes small and mini, with the small version being more desirable because it comfortably fits an iPhone Max, a wallet, and other small belongings. A classic small Prada Arqué goes for $2,750 in boutiques.  

Mini

The Mini bag is Prada’s take on the traditional bucket-style bag, another one of its archival bags that recently resurged. It’s available in calfskin leather, Re-Nylon, and limited-edition materials, as in the case of the satin Mini bag with crystals. This type of Prada handbag has a leather handle that you can hold or wear over the wrist. It has one interior compartment secured by a leather drawstring closure. Other features include gold-tone hardware, an enamel triangle logo on the front of the body, and a removable key holder. The inside has a logo-printed nylon lining, making this a lightweight style that you can carry with ease. As its name suggests, it comes in one miniature size, which starts at $2,350 at retail.  

The Symbole

Released in 2021, the Symbole bag showcases a geometric pattern inspired by Prada’s iconic triangle logo. The primary example of this style is the embroidered fabric tote, on which the pattern appears in black and beige. It has an enamel triangle logo, a key holder, and two fabric handles that are long enough to wear over the shoulder. The inside has a logo-printed nylon lining, one zippered pocket, and a slip pocket. It departs from traditional east-west tote silhouettes with a north-south design, giving it a contemporary feel. Of course, it also comes in the classic tote bag silhouette for those who prefer to keep the status quo. Still, fashion aficionados tend to appreciate the original version because of its rebellious quality. Prada also offers mini versions of the Symbole bag, which come in various colors and are quite sought-after. 

Prada presented a leather version of the Symbole bag in its fall/winter 2022 collection. It incorporates the handbag’s iconic pattern but with larger triangles using topstitching, and it has Prada lettering on the body’s front instead of an enamel triangle logo. Unlike the original version, the leather Symbol bag is available in sizes small, medium, and large, all of which come with a removable crossbody strap. A classic Symbole bag in embroidered fabric is $4,100, and the leather example in size medium is $3,600.

Tote

Prada offers a variety of tote bags that are popular for their style and utility. Beyond the Symbole bag, discussed in the previous section, the most in-demand tote bag style from Prada is the Re-Edition 1978 Re-Nylon and Saffiano leather tote bag. As its name implies, the style is a contemporary version of an archival tote bag from 1978. It has a traditional silhouette with tapered sides; the body has a Re-Nylon fabric construction and Saffiano leather trimmings, handles, and a keychain. The bag has an enamel triangle logo on the front, gold-tone hardware, and a front pocket. The interior is lined with nylon and has two pockets, one of which has a zipper. 

The brand currently offers the tote bag in black and dark beige, appealing to its sophisticated allure, for $2,100. Many use it as a workbag or a diaper bag because of how spacious and lightweight it is — although Prada also makes a baby bag version for parents to carry their essentials in style.  

Other types of Prada handbags that fall into this category include tote bag versions of iconic styles, such as the Double Prada bag that goes for $4,900, inspired by the Galleria. There’s also the leather tote, which comes in sizes medium and large and is available for preorder. It has a buttery leather construction with a triangle top stitching on the front and Prada lettering inside; the large version costs $4,200. A more elegant bag is the Re-Edition 1995 Chaîne Re-Nylon tote bag for $2,600; it comes in sizes medium and large and features gold-tone, leather woven chains that you can wear over the shoulder. The body has a quilted topstitch pattern and is lightly padded for a voluminous effect. 

Crochet Tote

The Crochet tote bag is the ultimate summer and travel accessory. Since its release in 2020, the bag has been seen on the arms of A-listers while on vacation at St. Barths and other tropical destinations, making it easily one of the most iconic types of Prada handbags. It has a rectangular silhouette that’s thin but stretchy, thanks to its raffia yarn construction. The bag doesn’t have a lining, so it’s semitransparent, and Prada’s logo is embroidered on the front. The bag, which sells for $2,050 at retail, has become such a covetable luxury item that the brand has released several new renditions since its debut. This includes a traditional beach bag for $2,300 and a version with a triangle-patterned crochet design for $1,950. The brand will likely continue to produce more examples in bright colors, which will surely become popular styles. 

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