The noughties are experiencing a revival, particularly the Tom Ford-period Gucci, which remains as a highly talked about fashion era. His subversive and playful approach to luxury breathed new life into the Italian brand and the industry as a whole. As the ’00s It bags make a comeback, it is Tom Ford’s Gucci creations that are grabbing center stage, and one of the most iconic creations is his Gucci Horsebit clutch bag.
How Tom Ford Reimagined the Gucci Horsebit for the Modern Era
In the 1950s, Aldo Gucci began harkening back to Gucci’s mythical beginnings in saddlery with horsebit hardware. Offering the design a twist of history and lineage proved to be a masterstroke, and Gucci bags were then frequently seen on the arms of the influential crowd. Jackie Onassis admired the 1950s Constance so much that Gucci termed it the Jackie bag in her honor.
By the mid-90s, however, Gucci was no longer at the cutting edge of fashion. That is until Tom Ford took the creative helm in 1994. He made Gucci sultry and exciting, fun and vibrant, all without deviating from the House’s classic ethos or motifs.
Tom Ford elevated original Gucci emblems by accentuating them with brilliant colorways and unusual sizes. These designs infused fresh life into the fashion brand by being fun and playful while staying true to the label’s roots. Even today, Tom Ford bags are distinguished by vibrant splashes of color and big statement hardware.
One of the most distinctive 00s It bags, the Tom Ford-era Gucci Horsebit bag featured an enormous Horsebit and stripes of bold color overlaying the iconic Gucci Monogram. A feature of Gucci’s AW/03 and SS/04 catwalks, it is these Horsebit bags that are on top of every fashionista’s wish list right now.
The top names of the fashion world are leading the way — Kendall Jenner has been toting her beloved lime green and yellow version since 2019. Where Rihanna leads, others are sure to follow as her fashion choices serve as a barometer of trends to come. She, too, was recently pictured proudly carrying her red vintage Gucci Horsebit bag on a night out. These bags are clearly having a moment!
Is the Gucci Horsebit Bag Heavy?
While the original design features a chain handle typically worn on the shoulder in the 2000s, it certainly isn’t a heavy bag. Today’s fashionable elite are choosing to carry their Horsebit bags as clutches. This updated styling gives the bag a more modern feel and fresh look.
Gucci has recently revived the bold colors and oversized statement Horsebit on their AW/23 runways. While these designs are not yet available to buy, and waiting lists are sure to be long, a pre-loved vintage edition can be yours right now. Indeed, many would argue that an original Tom Ford for Gucci Horsebit bag cannot be bested! Check out our edit of the best classic Gucci designs here.