What about the Hammock, or the original Puzzle? The Balloon? While all saw explosive popularity pre-pandemic, they’re part of an older, more gauche take on Loewe—one that Anderson has since left behind. Stylistic splintering in a brand’s direction is common, but less so under the continuing guard of a sole creative director. Anderson joined Loewe back 2013, but he—and Loewe, resultantly—went through what Vogue called a “massive creative change” ahead of the Spring/Summer 2022 collection.
Anderson ditched gimmicks that didn’t suit our new normal, leaning instead into the female form. Think: muted second-skin dresses with tons of surrealist flourishes. A geometric underlay here, a mirrored breastplate there—all with simple court sneakers and sandals. It was a leap, but it paid off. As such, the prior creations consistent with “old Loewe” (if you can even call 2019 old—in our breakneck trend cycle, you surely can) are just good by comparison. The hard lines and contrast piping that appeared in those bags have been somewhat phased out. The new Loewe is more fluid.
Should you fall fast for one of these prior catchalls, you have our endorsement to take the plunge. They aren’t absent from our list for lack of utility, but rather because there’s just something better from a visual and contextual standpoint worthy of our top spots.