My Top IT Bags Part 1

 Ok so let me just start by saying I have been reminded that keeping a weekly blog running is INCREDIBLY hard but I will persist nonetheless. I must say that I like writing about fashion though because it makes me do the research and understand the story behind the product.

This week I wanted to talk about popular IT bags throughout the history of fashion. Bags are an essential part of women's (and men's because we don't discriminate here) fashion. A handbag can be a needed accessory to complete any outfit or can be the outfit itself with every other piece supporting it. There have been thousands of bags created through the years that are gorgeous and have made waves throughout fashion history but these are the ones that I've personally seen or been impacted by (or that I want to own someday in the hopefully VERY NEAR future). Bags are essential in fashion because they are a mark of inclusivity in the world of luxury. 

I had to make this a two-part because as I was writing I realized I loved more and more bags and I couldn't decide which to include. 

1. Hermes Kelly- Created in 1934 then renamed in 1956 after Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly, the American actress turned Princess of Monaco, loved the house of Hermes and it was rumored that she used the Kelly bag to hide her pregnancy at that time. The bag comes in two styles Sellier and Retourne, with Sellier being a bit more structured than the Retourne. The bag can also be customized with customers choosing their color of leather for the handle, strap, paneling, stitching, and choosing the metal they want for the hardware but this is usually reserved for VIP shoppers. 

Grace Kelly with her namesake bag

Retourne L   Sellier R

I know these bags look exactly the same but trust me they are different

2. Hermes Birkin- Created in 1984

The story of this bag is that Jane Birkin, English actress, and singer, sat next to the Hermes exec Jean-Louis Dumas and told him how she needed a bag that was big enough to carry all her stuff.Probably the most popular and most coveted (not to mention most expensive) out of all designer bags. The Birkin is truly the Queen. The Birkin is customizable as well with options for changing the paneling, hardware, straps, etc. The typical Birkin costs between $10,000 to $200,000. The Himalayan Birkin is known as the most expensive handbag in the world with the bag selling for anything between $200,000 to $300,000. It's not known how many Himalayan Birkins there are but experts agree the number is drastically small. 

Customized Birkin

Himalayan Birkin 

Kim Kardashian with her Birkin that North drew on

3. Lady Dior aka Princess Bag- Created in 1995

Given to the Princess by France's then-first lady, Bernadette Chirac, the bag became synonymous with classic style, couture elegance, and refinement. This bag has been popular for almost thirty years and only seems to be getting more popular. My personal favorite of this bag is the DIOR charm that adorns the bag. And don't we all want to own a bag that someone as stunning and iconic as Lady Diana is the face of???

Princess Diana with her namesake bag

4. Chanel 2.55- Created in 1955

Probably the most identifiable bag in fashion the Chanel 2.55 was named after the date it was created, February 1955. Every girl you know has some Forever 21 or H&M version of this purse. For many people, this is the first bag they buy as a door to the world of luxury as it is so easily recognizable and quintessential to fashion. 

5. Celine Luggage Tote- Created in 2009

This tote was designed with the working woman in mind and can hold your entire life. It comes in a variety of sizes and can also be customized to your liking with your choice of skin and colors. Phoebe Philo designed this in her first year as creative director at Celine and I honestly cannot imagine designing something so iconic ever in my life let alone my first year as a creative director! 

Kim K with the Celine Luggage 

6. Dior Saddle Bag- Created in 1999

I feel like in more recent years we have seen an influx of this bag. It originally debuted in 1999 but I see this bag EVERYWHERE now. Every celebrity, every fashion stylist, every child. I think what makes this bag so special is the shape. It's not designed like a typical bag. It's so fun and is the type of bag that is the center and focal point of the outfit.   

7. Dior Book Tote- Created in 2018

I think every person in Paris has this bag (except me). Literally, you will see this bag or some variation of it every 2 seconds when walking down the street. This bag is great because it's roomy and also you can personalize it and add your name on the strip instead of Christian Dior!

I think it's interesting how cyclical fashion is. Many of these bags were designed thirty, forty, or sixty years ago yet they are still popular or are coming back into style. I can't wait to see what bags are being designed now that will be the next 'IT' bag!