The It Bags!

Any bag can be iconic, but not every bag has the It factor.

An It bag is essentially an iconic designer bag however, there are only a handful of designer bags that fit the unofficial guidelines that make them iconic. From what I have noticed amongst the collection of bags I have picked are some common features that I think make these bags worthy of the title. Firstly, they must be made from strong, luxurious and durable materials; in most cases, leather. They must be a practical size and shape, potentially coming in multiple sizes. An essential element is a recognisable design, logo, decorative components or shape that ensure these bags are easily identifiable to anyone. And they must be owned and loved by the most iconic faces in fashion.

 

I couldn't possibly write about It bags without talking about the queen of all bags, the Hermes Birkin. The Birkin is more than just a bag, it's a luxury, exclusive piece of the most elite craftsmanship. The bag was designed for and named after, singer/model Jane Birkin after a discussion with the chief executor of Hermes, Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight about not being able to find a practical leather travel bag that she liked. So thus the Birkin bag was made, a functional leather tote shaped bag, perfect for travelling, work, or everyday use. The Birkin comes in multiple sizes and exclusive colours and hides, such as calf leather, crocodile skin (the most expensive hide sold), lizard and ostrich, and are lined with goat skin. Each individual bag is handmade using Hermes' signature saddle stitching coveted by the company in the 1800s. The work behind the Birkin is fascinating, when you buy a Birkin you are investing in immaculate design.

  

I am not particularly a fan of the Birkin, though I can appreciate its practicality and incredible craftsmanship. I do, however, love the way they look when they have been used to death. There is something so charming about the most expensive, exclusive and sought after bag being used like an art student's tote bag. The slouching leather, creased straps, worn-out hardware, your belongings flying out as you strut down the streets of New York. A truly powerful image. Jane Birkin herself uses hers like this, and you would too if you could get one for free whenever you like! I love the way she accessorises her Birkins with beads and ribbons, stickers and keyrings, and makes it personal and more interesting. Another pair who rock the beat-up Birkin are the Olsen twins. They style theirs with messy hair, oversized sunglasses and coats, a cup of coffee and a cigarette, yet they still look so expensive and chic!

      

     

     

     

The Chanel 2.55 or 11.12 handbag is an absolute classic, released in 1955, becoming one of the most popular bags amongst women all over the world. Usually made from leather, though sometimes in tweed and other luxurious materials, this bag is both practical, classy and chic. The 2.55/11.12 is recognised for its soft, quilted exterior, gold double C clasp and the leather and chain strap. This bag is timeless, there isn't a decade since its release that the 2.55 hasn't been iconic or fashionable and I can't imagine that the Chanel bag is going anywhere anytime soon.

  

The 2.55 bag has the power to make any outfit classy and elegant, especially when worn by Lily-Rose Depp, the ultimate Chanel girl. Lily-Rose styles her Chanel bags with a very casual, model-off-duty look, with jeans, a cute top or vest, or a summer dress and some kitten heels, and a Chanel bag on her shoulder. Or she will dress it up for a red carpet or a fashion show in a matching Chanel set. And although I think the 2.55 is a very mature bag, Lily-Rose pulls it off so effortlessly and still manages to look youthful and fun.

     

     

Another chic bag from the 1950s is the Gucci Jackie. Originally named the Gucci Constance however, it was renamed 'Jackie' after Jackie Kennedy was photographed with the bag on numerous occasions. This bag, much like the Chanel bag exudes elegance and sophistication. The design is very simple, with a practical slouchy shape (though more structured and streamlined on the newer editions), a simple and unique clasp, and one sturdy shoulder strap. The many colours and patterns that this bag comes in make it versatile, for everyday use, or dressed up for a classy event. Jackie Kennedy wore hers for casual days out and public appearances and was mostly spotted with the larger version of this bag which looks more relaxed than the smaller handbags that are popular today. 

 

   

The Gucci Jackie is a beautiful bag, I especially love the mini pastel ones which completely diminish the practicality of this bag but I'm a tiny bag girl, practicality is never a necessity for me. 

    

Speaking of tiny bags or even better, tiny baguettes... The Fendi Baguette was named the first ever It bag, famously worn by Sarah Jessica Parker as herself and as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. Whatever Carrie wore the world wanted! After its purple sequinned debut on Sex and the City, the Baguette became increasingly popular and Fendi produced thousands in every colourway, material and design whilst still keeping the same shape with its flap fastening, hardware logo and small shoulder strap, and still exuding this casual, 'party girl in the city' aesthetic. A girl couldn't have just one Fendi Baguette, she needed every single one, resulting in the Baguette becoming a staple in every woman's wardrobe in the 1990s and onwards.

 

The Baguette is one of the most iconic bags ever made and has inspired a trend of mini handbags which have gone in and out of fashion for over 20 years. Fendi's influence on bag designs is still seen in shops today and will continue for decades. As a tiny bag connoisseur, I love the Fendi Baguette!

 

     

Even when you're being robbed you must always correct someone if they mistake a Baguette for a bag!

Another bag seen on Carrie Bradshaw is the Dior Saddle bag, a uniquely shaped handbag popular in the 2000s and recently coming back into fashion with Dior's re-editions. The Saddle bag made its debut in John Galliano's cowboy collection for Dior's 2000 S/S show and quickly became a popular accessory amongst fashion icons at the time. Shaped like a horse saddle, this bag is definitely a required taste, probably fitting under the category of "vulgar fashion" which is never a bad thing in my eyes! Although the shape of the bag makes it look impractical, you can fit a phone, purse, keys and lipgloss in one which is really all you need; sounds pretty practical to me!

  

  

Another icon who continuously sported the Saddle in the early 2000s is Paris Hilton, owning numerous colours, patterns and designs, wearing them casually and styling them up for events and parties. The Saddle bag is so versatile and unique and adds such an interesting element to an outfit. I'm not the biggest fan of the re-editions, but I love the classic baby pink and blue monogram saddles, they are so cute!

   

Last, but definitely not least, is the Louis Vuitton monogram bag. It was difficult to pick just one from their vast collection as they are all iconic in their own right, so I have picked the pinnacle of the range, the classic Speedy.

The Speedy was designed in 1959 as a smaller version of their Keepall travel bag. Mimicking the shape of a travel bag, but small enough for an everyday handbag. This bag came about as requested by Audrey Hepburn who loved the Keepall and wanted one she could use daily. These bags are practical, heavy-duty and classic, anything Audrey Hepburn wears is immediately classy and sophisticated so you can't go wrong with a Speedy.

    

Now for my honourable mentions. I wasn't sure whether to put these in the initial line up as I don't think they fit under my unofficial guidelines of an It bag, but both of these bags have had their moments in the spotlight and it would be wrong of me not to at least mention them.

The first is another Louis Vuitton bag. The Pochette is the epitome of early 2000s high-end fashion. All the famous party girls, Disney channel icons and pop stars at the time were spotted with a pochette, and most likely spotted with the Takashi Murakami editions. Their collaboration was released in 2003 with colourful editions of classic Louis Vuitton bags and rare illustrated editions with Murakami's signature flowers and cherries. These caught the attention of the 2000s fashion icons such as Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, specifically the Murakami Pochette's, the perfect mini handbag for parties and nights out. The Pochette has recently resurfaced along with the revival of early 2000s fashion, and although Louis Vuitton discontinued the Murakami collection in 2015 you can still live out your 2000s girly dreams with the classic Pochette or a second-hand Murakami on re-sale sites!

My second honourable mention is the Prada nylon handbag. When Prada released this bag in 2019 everyone was obsessed. These are the perfect handbags for any occasion, coming in many colours from pastels to brights, and even in fur or embellished with crystals. This bag is seen on every model and influencer, such as Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber; style icons that so many people look to now for fashion influence. Although I don't think this bag is necessarily at the same level of iconic as the bags discussed in this post, I do think it is on the path to becoming an It bag!

     

That is it for my selection of It bags, I am sure there are many more but these are the few that really stand out to me. Thank you for reading!

Love, Bella <3

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