(Fashion)

Etro's Pegaso Bag Is Back & It's The Wardrobe Staple You Never Saw Coming

by Shelby Ying Hyde
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
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If you blinked quickly, you may have missed Etro's Pegaso bag as it made its way down the Fall/Winter 2019 runway last February. But by its fourth or fifth appearance on the catwalk, the clean shape and crafty yet intricate details became almost impossible to ignore. Fast forward to the end of summer and the bag was at the forefront of Etro's latest Instagram campaign (on the arm of Romee Strijd in Cannes, France, no less), where it had officially become a top contender for the brand's most coveted accessory. And the good news? It's available for purchase now.

Creative director Veronica Etro took a deep dive into her family's extensive archive for the Fall 2019 collection, which was so aptly themed "heritage disrupted" in honor of the label's 50th anniversary. A re-edition of an iconic style from the '80s, Etro's bag is defined by the brand's signature paisley print and gold polished buckle that embodies the regal winged stallion of Greek Mythology, Pegasus, which has been a symbol of the Italian house since the late '60s.

Over the last year or so there's been a steady flow of timeless handbags making a comeback, and the saddle bag has undoubtedly gotten the most love. Like its equally versatile counterparts, Etro's version has all the makings of a closet mainstay but leans on modern accents to set it apart from more traditional designs. It can be dressed up with well-tailored suiting or a billowy dress (as seen on Instagram), just as easily as it can be pared back with jeans and a jumper for more relaxed occasions.

The offering includes three iterations — mini, small, and regular — with the latter being large enough to store your daily essentials and the smallest fitting just the necessities. However, they all feature a zipped internal pocket, providing some sort of storage no matter the size.

If you're looking to invest in any of the three colorways, the price tag all depends on your desired size and material. The show-opening Small Pegaso in paisley jacquard and leather will cost you $1,370, while the Regular Pegaso made entirely of calfskin rings in at $1,570.

It might also be important to take how you plan on wearing this piece into account before committing to any one in particular. The mini feels much more relevant when worn diagonally across the chest like a belt bag or cinched around an oversized cardigan at the waist, while on the other hand, the more spacious styles look effortless when slipped over the shoulder or worn crossbody (both of which can be achieved by simply adjusting the elongated strap). When doing so, make note of the logo-embossed, as it speaks to the brand's keen attention to detail.

Expand your collection of everyday bags with any of the picks below, or shop the Pegaso bag at Etro boutiques, etro.com and select retailers like Luisa Via Roma and Farfetch.

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