Our editor test-drives Gucci’s two latest It bags... at the same time

Gucci’s new era, under the creative direction of Demna, has been an unapologetic expression of Italian-coded decadence. The femme-fatale silhouettes of the faux fur statement coats, the second-skin sequinned or otherwise shimmery dresses and the top-to-toe monogram dressing (occasionally accented with swinging GG chain belts and oversized, face-shielding sunglasses) all emphasise that more is, indeed, more. And so, when test-driving the House’s two latest It bags – the Giglio and the Borsetto (also the centre of the brand’s latest campaign, starring Emily Ratajkowski and Kate Moss) – we took an appropriately maximalist approach by wearing both bags at once.

When it comes to carrying two handbags simultaneously, the key is contrast in terms of size, fabrication, silhouette and colourway. Not only does this add to the unexpected aesthetic intrigue, it’s also practical. A larger bag carries your bulkier items (laptop, sweater, book) whilst a smaller number carries the sort of things one is often “rummaging around” for (lipgloss, keys, wallet).

To that end, the Giglio and the Borsetto, with their juxtaposing shapes and structures, are ideally suited to coexist. Giglio, which is Italian for Lily, is a directional take on a soft tote, crafted in sumptuous leather, suede or canvas. Introduced at the Cruise 2026 show in Florence, it’s both a nod to the House’s rich heritage and the embodiment of its modern craftsmanship prowess. It’s also the sort of bag that’s, mercifully, never truly full. I opted for the large size in brown leather; a perfect everyday go-to that promises to only get better with age.

For the Borsetto, meanwhile, I plucked the medium size (always contrasting sizes) in dependable black leather. A sturdy rectangular bag with an exaggerated top handle, the Borsetto is characterised by the brand’s iconic Horsebit hardware (the name is a merge of borsa, meaning bag in Italian, and morsetto, meaning horsebit), which was first introduced in the 1940s as a nod to Gucci’s equestrian inspirations. The marriage of the contemporary silhouette and the nostalgia-inducing symbol render the bag a distinctive link between the brand’s rich heritage and its thrilling present.

On one of Stockholm’s first true spring days, I took my two buttery-soft companions for a spin around my neck of the woods, Södermalm (the stomping ground for mature hipsters and creative types) on my way to the Vogue Scandinavia office. In the spirit of Demna-era Gucci, I completed the look with the brand’s chain-belted faux fur coat with sculptured shoulders (the same silhouette as the tiger print iteration famously worn by Alex Consani) and chunky square frame sunglasses that shield the better part of my face. In the Gucci ‘La Famiglia’ lookbook, the coat is worn (rather cheekily) without pants, but it’s not even 9AM and I don’t think my neighbourhood is ready for that. Instead, I opt to finish off the moment with jeans and loafers.

Slipping both bags over my shoulder, the first thing I notice is how utterly excellent they look together, with the larger Giglio acting as a sort of framing device for the more modestly-sized Borsetto. But that’s noting compared to how the bags make me feel; namely, as if I might be mobbed my paparazzi as I step outside my apartment (complimentary). Alas, the only person there to greet me is Vogue Scandinavia’s social editor, Jennifer Nguyen, who has joined to document the experience (she does, however, admire the bags).

As the morning unfolds, the Giglio seems to naturally collect more stuff: a mini Princess cake in a little box, a bouquet of tulips, a novel from my local bookshop. It holds a lot and looks equally appealing when more or less empty (it can be worn folded in half, for maximum effortlessness) as when overflowing. The Borsetto, meanwhile, comfortably contains my phone, keys, wallet and lip combo. Each time I unzip it, I’m greeted by a little secret: a newly re-introduced Diamonte motif lining, pulled from the brand’s archive.

Over in Düsseldorf, German content creator Laura Schulte simultaneously took the two covetable handbags for a spin. She, however, paired a small monogrammed canvas Giglio with a large Borsetto in brown suede. While she notes that the Borsetto goes with “any outfit, any vibe”, praising the versatility of its two straps, the Giglio really made an impression. “It absolutely has the potential to become a new icon for this generation,” she says. “It feels modern, practical and nostalgic at the same time.” For Schulte, typically one bag is the norm, however, she notes, “the more Gucci the better”.

On the streets of Stockholm, the reactions to the bags said it all. A sweet older gentleman hopped into a photo with me, whilst a small dog, whom I stopped to greet, seemed to wish to jump inside the Giglio (he gave the leather a good sniff, tail wagging like crazy). A group of school children, one of whom was wearing a tiara (okay, diva) stopped and stared, curiously, as I sat on a bench, sipping a cappuccino. The Gucci-specific It girl vibes coursed through my veins and my general attitude adjusted accordingly (apologies to my colleagues who ultimately had to deal with me for the rest of the day). Two bags may, in fact, be better than one, but when it comes to Gucci’s Giglio and Borsetto, either is a major moment.