Fashion has a habit of bringing its favourite accessories back from the dead, but few returns feel as natural as Chloé's Paddington bag. With its slouchy leather body, chunky padlock and unmistakable early-2000s attitude, the handbag has reclaimed its place in contemporary wardrobes, proving that an It-bag can outlast the trend cycle that made it famous.
First introduced for Spring/Summer 2005 under Phoebe Philo, the Paddington has returned under creative director Chemena Kamali, whose romantic, bohemian vision for Chloé has helped put the house back on fashion's radar. More than two decades after its original heyday, the bag is finding new fans while attracting those who remember its first reign.
The Appeal of a Bag That Never Tried Too Hard
The Paddington's charm lies in its refusal to look overly polished. Its rounded silhouette, substantial handles and signature padlock give it a distinctive presence, but its soft leather construction keeps it from feeling too formal.
In 2005, that combination made it a natural companion to the era's fashion favourites: oversized blazers, delicate blouses, skinny scarves and bohemian separates. The bag was spotted on early-2000s style fixtures, including Kate Bosworth, Mischa Barton and Lindsay Lohan, becoming part of the decade's celebrity fashion vocabulary.
The roomy interior and relaxed shape made it feel like something to live with rather than simply show off and made it practical for everyday use, which makes it still relevant today. In an era when luxury accessories can sometimes feel defined by recognisable logos and carefully curated minimalism, the Paddington offers a different kind of status symbol.
Its hardware is distinctive enough to be recognised, while its appeal comes from the overall design rather than a prominent brand name. Its resurgence also shows fashion's growing appetite for archival designs and the return of oversized, slouchy silhouettes. The Paddington offers a direct connection to the 'Noughties' without requiring an entire wardrobe to match the decade.
Chemena Kamali Gives the Original a New Chapter
Kamali's revival is not simply an exercise in recreating a successful design. Having worked at Chloé during Philo's tenure, she has a personal connection to the house's history and the aesthetic that helped establish its reputation.
The Paddington returned to the runway for Autumn/Winter 2025, appearing alongside the flowing dresses, fringing and romantic details associated with Kamali's collections. Rather than dramatically redesigning the bag, she retained its familiar proportions and signature padlock while refining the construction.
The updated version features lighter hardware, supple washed vegetable-tanned leather, a functional padlock and a revised zip opening. The adjustments preserve its lived-in character while making the design more comfortable to carry.
The revival has also extended beyond the original format. Smaller and larger versions, shoulder bags and alternative materials have expanded the Paddington family, allowing the recognisable design to adapt to different wardrobes.
The result is a handbag that respects its history without relying solely on nostalgia. Its defining features remain intact, but the refreshed designs give the original concept room to evolve.
Why the Noughties It-Bag Still Works
For Spring/Summer 2027, Chloé has continued to revisit the design, introducing a summery, slimline version in woven raffia on the runway. A mini east-west style in tan suede with a retro Chloé logo also brings a fresh interpretation to the original's unmistakable shape.
The return of Noughties fashion has brought back low-rise jeans, oversized sunglasses and bohemian dressing, making the Paddington feel right at home again. But the bag has more going for it than nostalgia.
The Paddington has already had its moment as one of the Noughties' most coveted handbags. Its continued presence in Chloé's collections suggests it has not finished making a case for itself. More than two decades after its debut, the bag is still finding its way into wardrobes—and it no longer needs to rely on its past to get noticed.
