6 Cult Gaia Bags That Have a Grip on Fashion People

Photo:

@iziangus; @lefevrediary; @saasha_burns

Have you ever wondered, "Is this really worth the hype?" In the age of social media, it can be easy to get caught up in the buzz surrounding viral trends or rising labels. Sometimes, you need an external gut check that can tell you if that handbag is worth securing—luckily, you have us. As editors, we pride ourselves on being able to shift through the noise of the digital landscape to give you an honest run-down of what really matters. Of course, that's not to say our work doesn't come without challenges, as so much of what's deemed "valuable" in fashion these days seems directly correlated to a brand's popularity rather than what they bring to the table. However, there is one brand that, in our mind, brings receipts to back up the hype: Cult Gaia.

On any given day, you can scroll through social media and see enormous excitement surrounding this brand's ready-to-wear collections. But what makes this brand worth shopping isn't the buzz...it's the bags. Ultimately, the accessories are what cemented the brand's cult status (excuse the pun). So, when shopping this highly sought-after brand, there's no better place to start. But, for the bag fanatics (like myself), choosing just one purse to buy is akin to a mother picking her favorite child. In an effort to help you narrow down your shopping list, we've done hours of research to identify the best Cult Gaia bags. Considering popularity, quality, price point, versatility, wearability, longevity, silhouttes, and uniqueness as a metric, we narrowed the list down to six styles that make for great long-term investments. If you thought that this brand was all hype, these bags will prove otherwise. 

Photo:

@cultgaia

Even if you're unfamiliar with the backstory behind Cult Gaia, you've likely already stumbled upon some of the brand's most coveted items—albeit through social media or on major shopping sites like Shopbop, Nordstrom, Saks, etc. Since its inception in 2012, the founder, Jasmin Larian, has caught the world's attention because of her avante-garde approach to womenswear collections. Centering on the idea that clothing can be its own art form, the collections rely heavily on craftsmanship to create innovative silhouettes and play with unexpected materials. It's Larin's approach to design that has made the brand's ready-to-wear collections what a-listers and influencers wear to gala events or pack for far-off vacations.

But what many might not know is that while its apparel is now everywhere, it actually began as an accessories label. Over the past eleven years, Cult Gaia's handbags have proliferated in the street-style scene because they are different from any other type of handbag on the market—they feel like they're own form of "objets d'art." Often drawing inspiration from architecture, the brand's purses feature geometric shapes and unconventional materials, making them a collector's fever dream. With so many one-of-a-kind bags offered by this brand, it's easy to see why it became so popular. But if you're not sure which bags make for great investments from this brand, keep reading as we break it down...

Photo:

@frannfyne

Hop in a time machine with us for a moment... we're back in 2017 when TikTok wasn't a thing, and Instagram reigned supreme. At that time, no matter how much mindless scrolling you did, chances are there was one bag you could not escape: the Cult Gaia Ark Tote Bag. One could argue that it was hard to miss this bag at that time because of its easily recognizable shape—a signature half-crescent, see-through clutch bag made from bamboo. But really, what contributed to this bag's popularity was because it was, well, popular. Gaia's Ark became one of the first styles from the brand to reach a coveted status among millions of women and has become synonymous with the fashion house. Although it's been nine years since its initial debut, the style remains relevant among those who remember this style as the first bag they bought from the brand. 

Photo:

@musingsofacurvylady

Sure, Gaia's Ark Tote may have been the brand's first style to catch the fashion world's attention, but Larian has kept it through her continued dedication to crafting cool bags. Case in point: the Cult Gaia Eos Clutch. Released in 2021, this style has become a fan-favorite among the fashion set because of its artful balance between functionality and fashion. With a rectangular shape, the bag is spacious enough to fit the essentials for an evening out but compact enough to wear for formal settings. But unlike other clutches, it has that signature Cult Gaia twist—the silhouette is outlined with sculptural balls in various textures and colors—making it the perfect statement piece for any closet. 

Photo:

@spiritedpursuit

It should be stated that Cult Gaia's bags aren't necessarily made for the run to the bodega—although, if you do wear them for casual outings, kudos to you. The magic of these bags is that they are prime for those special occasions (weddings, vacations, and evenings out). But if there's one style from the brand that can go from formal to casual settings, it's the Hera Rhinestone Bag. Making a meteoric rise shortly after it was released in 2021, this bag became (and still is) one of the most beloved styles from the brand because of its innate wearability. Featuring a slouchy baguette shape, spacious interior, knotted shoulder strap, and rhinestone mesh material, this bag can be styled with everything from a gown to an old t-shirt and jeans. Its versatility has cemented the style as one of the best bags you can buy, without a doubt. 

Photo:

@lefevrediary

Were Larian's unique approach to accessories to be distilled into one single purse, it would be the Pearl Bag, undoubtedly. Released back in 2020, this bag immediately caught the attention of fashion insiders (myself included) for its innovative silhouette that draws inspiration from, you guessed it, a pearl. Made from a shiny acrylic shaped into a round clutch with a clasp-open top and oblong handle, this bag brings a new meaning to the term "precious gemstone." After all, what's more special than a clutch that looks like a literal sculpture? Anwser: Nothing. For shoppers who don't want to invest in another cookie-cutter clutch, this Cult Gaia bag is a cut above the rest. 

Photo:

@saasha_burns

If it's unclear by now, let us set the record straight: Cult Gaia's clutches aren't cliché. Larian is constantly pushing the boundaries of bags by drawing inspiration from the most unexpected places—case in point: the bubble clutch. Debuted in the brand's pre-fall 2022 collection, the style features a signature rectangular shape with protruding spheres that are meant to look like bubbles that have been frozen in time. It's a testament to the brand's ability to take the most "mundane" parts of the world around us and turn them into magic (or at least a really magnificent bag).

Photo:

@iziangus

It's no secret that the brand's buzzy accessories can attain cult status overnight, only to lose it shortly after. But, despite this reality, Cult Gaia has managed to release highly sought-after bags, season after season continuously. The most recent is the Nala Clutch, which debuted in the F/W 23 collection. Despite being relatively new, this Cult Gaia bag has already been quickly adopted by the fashion set—frankly, we get the appeal. With a fan-like shape made from crushed metallic pleated leather, it's unique shape sets it apart from so many other metallic-hued accessories on the market right now. We're betting it's only a matter of time before this bag becomes the brand's next big it-item. 

Photo:

@tenickab

By now, you're hopefully thoroughly convinced that your handbag collection desperately needs a Cult Gaia addition. And while we've given you a great place to start, it's worth reminding you that the best bag you can buy isn't solely based on what has been or is currently popular. When choosing to invest in a purse, you want to pick one that speaks to your desires, budget, and sartorial preferences. Ultimately, you can't go wrong with buying any Cult Gaia bag because they're all cute! So choose the one that sparks joy, and the rest will fall in line.