This Spacious French Tote Is the No. 1 Bag Being Spotted Across Europe-and We Found 5 Chic Lookalikes From $20

"Every year, a new, trendy "it bag" reigns supreme. In 2020, it was the Telfar Shopping Bag that had us in a chokehold; in 2024, it was the Coach Brooklyn shoulder bag. And while we may still be in the early months of 2026, Europe-bound travelers are saying there's already a front-runner for this year's most popular bag-and it's been around for over 30 years. Enter: the Longchamp Le Pliage tote bag."

"First released in 1993, this travel tote was inspired by the Japanese art of origami, hence its foldable, lightweight design and name (the direct English translation of "le pliage" is "the folding"). Its packability, featherlight feel, polished look, and versatility have made it a longtime favorite among travelers. And while this bag has never truly gone out of style,frequent fliers say that it's experiencing a comeback of massive proportions, particularly across Europe."

"TikTok user @monica.morales17 said that it was the "number one bag" they saw while visiting Paris, sharing that they kept spotting it from the metro to the streets in a video that has garnered over 3.3 million views. "I just got back from London," one person wrote in the comment section. "Everyone had the Longchamp Le Pliage!" Another commenter chimed in, writing "I saw it ALL over London too," adding that seeing it so often inspired them to finally "pull the trigger" on the British Green shade."

First released in 1993, the Longchamp Le Pliage tote was inspired by the Japanese art of origami, giving it a foldable, lightweight design and name that translates as "the folding". The bag's packability, featherlight feel, polished look, and versatility have made it a longtime favorite among travelers. Frequent fliers report a major comeback across Europe in early 2026, with widespread sightings in Paris and London. Social media users noted the tote as the "number one bag" during trips and shared that ubiquity encouraged purchases in popular shades like British Green. The classic model retails around $170 and has durable longevity.

Read at Travel + Leisure