‘It Bags’ Then and Now: Why They Command the Spotlight

Some handbags don’t just hang from your shoulder—they steal the show. They’re the ones with waiting lists longer than a cricket season, pieces that fetch eye-watering prices at auction, and styles so iconic that carrying one feels like saying, ‘I’ve made it.’

But what exactly is an ‘It bag’? Well, imagine something that breaks through fashion circles and becomes part of the wider cultural conversation. Perhaps on top of the list are the likes of the Hermes Kelly bag.

The Hermès Kelly: How a Princess Made a Bag Immortal

Before it was the Kelly, this Hermès design was simply a clever travel bag from the 1930s. With its neat trapezoid structure and ladylike handle, it was practical yet elegant.

Everything changed in the 1950s when Princess Grace of Monaco, better known to the world as Grace Kelly, used the bag to shield her baby bump from prying photographers. That single snapshot turned the handbag into legend, and from then on, it bore her name.

The Kelly’s charm lies in its understatement. Its clean lines, structured silhouette, and polished clasp whisper refinement rather than shout it. What you have is something that rewards close attention, revealing its quiet power in every stitch.

The Hermès Birkin: From a Chat on a Plane to the World’s Most Coveted Tote

It was a chance encounter on a plane in the 1980s. Actress Jane Birkin vents about her struggles finding a handbag roomy enough for everyday life. Sitting beside her is Hermès’s Jean-Louis Dumas, who sketches out a design right then and there. That sketch would become the Birkin.

The Birkin has been known to balance space, structure, and function with the meticulous craftsmanship the Hermès brand is known for. Scarcity only added to the myth. Waitlists stretched for years, and owning one became a badge of entry into a very exclusive club.

Chanel 2.55: When Women’s Hands Were Finally Freed

In 1955, Coco Chanel introduced a handbag that changed women’s lives—the 2.55. Before it, handbags were meant to be clutched, always occupying one hand. Chanel, a visionary in every sense, decided women deserved better. What she came up with was a bag that featured a chain strap, leaving hands free for cigarettes, cocktails, or a stack of work papers.

Every detail told a story. The quilted leather was inspired by equestrian jackets. The burgundy lining nodded to the convent uniforms of Chanel’s childhood. Lastly, the chain strap was both rebellious and practical—a stroke of genius that redefined how handbags were carried.

Dior Saddle Bag: The Y2K Icon that Refused to Retire

If one bag summed up the early 2000s, that would be the Dior Saddle Bag. Designed by John Galliano, its curved, saddle-like shape and bold proportions were unlike anything else on the shelves.

Pop stars, models, and TV icons like Carrie Bradshaw carried the Saddle Bag. It became synonymous with the flashy, playful Y2K aesthetic. But as trends shifted, it slipped out of the spotlight, but only to return later. Reissued and refreshed, the Dior Saddle Bag struck a chord with Gen Z and nostalgic millennials, and suddenly, it was back on shoulders everywhere.

The Fendi Baguette: Small in Size, Huge in Personality

Launched in 1997, the Fendi Baguette was a pint-sized revolution. Designed to sit snugly under the arm, it redefined what a luxury handbag could be. Its moment of stardom came thanks to Sex and the City, when Carrie Bradshaw corrected a thief by saying, ‘It’s a Baguette.’ That line etched it into pop culture forever.

What makes the Baguette so beloved is its endless variety. From sequins to embroidery, exotic skins to denim, it was a playground for creativity. Collectors love the hunt, with each version carrying its own unique charm.

Why ‘It Bags’ Command the Spotlight

What makes an It bag irresistible? Apart from the superior craftsmanship, part of it comes down to psychology. When something’s hard to get, people want it more. Scarcity fuels desire, right? Add a celebrity endorsement or two, and suddenly a handbag becomes a cultural phenomenon.

Then there’s the storytelling. Every iconic bag has a tale, whether it’s Princess Grace shielding her bump, Jane Birkin’s airplane chat, or Coco Chanel handing women their freedom. These stories embed the bags into collective memory.