I spent part of last week attending various sessions of the Miami Open, and, naturally, one of the biggest sponsors was Lacoste. The brand is synonymous with the sporting world, especially tennis, with many top players long tied to that instantly recognizable crocodile. But what really struck me this time around is how Lacoste is continuing to evolve beyond sport and into a broader lifestyle space. The aesthetic still leans athletic, but it feels more refined, more wearable, and very much in line with where fashion is heading right now.
At the Lacoste Suite during the tournament, the item that stood out to me most wasn’t the apparel; it was the bags. And yes, I had the same reaction you might be having: Lacoste…bags? But after seeing them styled on guests and influencers throughout the suite, it started to click.
A Closer Look at the Lenglen Bag
The standout is the Lenglen Bag, a design that feels deeply rooted in the brand’s DNA while also offering something genuinely different. I had actually spotted it once before out in the wild, far removed from any tennis setting, and it immediately caught my eye.
First introduced on the FW24 runway in a larger size, the Lenglen was followed by smaller iterations for SS25, and each version plays with proportion while keeping the same core identity intact. The design is meant to mimic the movement and structure of a pleated tennis skirt, which sounds literal, but in execution, works well and ties in with the brand perfectly.
The pleated leather is what defines it. It gives the bag texture, dimension, and a sense of motion that you don’t often see, especially at this price point. It’s structured but not stiff, sporty but still feminine, and importantly, it doesn’t look like everything else out there right now.
Lacoste’s Next Chapter Is Taking Shape
The Small version is exactly what you’d expect from a compact bag. It has just enough space for the essentials, and the detachable strap makes it easy to wear multiple ways, whether tucked under your arm or worn crossbody. It feels like a true styling piece. Price is $250.
The Medium size, which I suspect will be the sweet spot for most people (and gets my vote), offers more functionality without losing the design’s integrity. You get a bit more room to work with, plus thoughtful interior organization, making it far more day-to-day friendly. The medium is $295.
And then there’s the Large, which leans into that slightly oversized, fashion-forward silhouette we’ve been seeing more of. It’s roomy, practical, and has a bit more presence, especially with the embroidered crocodile detail, while still maintaining the pleated effect that makes the bag feel special. Price of the large is $325.
What Lacoste is doing here is interesting. The pricing sits in that accessible-luxury space, which feels increasingly important right now, and the designs don’t feel like watered-down versions of anything else. They feel considered and, importantly, they make sense within the brand’s history.
Seeing the Lenglen styled throughout the suite, on different people with different aesthetics, made it clear that this isn’t just a one-off moment. It feels like the beginning of a real push into the bag category, and one that actually has the potential to stick.
