Luxury handbags are symbols of eternal style, status, and elegance. When it comes to the top iconic bags of all time, you might immediately think of the Louis Vuitton Speedy, Dior’s saddle, the Birkin Hermès or Chanel 2.55 – undeniable signals of luxury, heritage, and refinement. Luckily for handbag lovers worldwide, the list of the most famous It bags doesn’t stop there. We’ve rounded up our top picks of investment-worthy styles that are guaranteed to remain treasured wardrobe staples for generations. Whether a long-established pillar in the timeline of fashion or a modern addition to the list, these timeless bags have what it takes to steal the hearts of fashion lovers and hold our devotion through the passing of time and trends. Explore the beautiful world of the iconic bags, from memorable top handle bags to modern classics like leather shoulder bag and even more styles to choose from, by diving deep below.
Birkin by Hermès
If there’s one accessory that has become synonymous with luxury, it’s the Birkin bag by Hermes. Over the years this luxurious item has become a status symbol for those in the know.
The story of the Birkin bag began in 1981, as a mere accident and a turn of event that changed the history of the iconic french Fashion House. The CEO of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, was seated next to actress and singer Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. Birkin had just placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment, and its contents spilled out onto the floor. Dumas offered to create a more practical and stylish bag for Birkin, and the rest is history.
Over the years the bags popularity began to rise, much to the well-known policy of exclusivity of the French fashion house. You don’t go to buy a Birkin, you are chosen for it. The bag is only available to those who are deemed fit by the brand, and there is often a waiting list that stretches for years. This scarcity has only served to increase the Birkin bag’s allure, and has made it even more coveted among fashion lovers around the world.
Mini Jodie by Bottega Veneta
Ever since Daniel Lee’s fashion renaissance at Bottega Veneta, a storm has taken the world. No street-style scene could go without the iconic intrecciato leather pattern, specifically the Mini Jodie. This modern icon is an homage to Jodie Foster, an actress who popularized the original, larger classic hobo bag of the same silhouette decades prior.
First introduced in the brand’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection, the Mini Jodie quickly gained popularity thanks to its modern yet classic design. Made from buttery soft leather, the bag features a minimalist shape with a single handle and a magnetic closure. The small size of the top handle bag makes it the perfect accessory for carrying the essentials without being weighed down by a bulky bag.
One of the reasons why the Mini Jodie has become such an icon is its versatility and wide range of color options, from green or fuchsia pink to classic colors as white or black. It can serve as an elegant, sleek option in a muted tone for an elegant evening or sported in a more vibrant shade for daytime.
Another reason for the Mini Jodie’s success is Bottega Veneta’s commitment to quality craftsmanship. Each bag is made with the utmost care and attention to detail, using only the finest materials. The leather is carefully selected and processed to ensure its softness and durability, while the hardware is made from high-quality metals that are resistant to tarnishing and corrosion.
Finally, Mini Jodie’s popularity can also be attributed to its celebrity endorsements. From Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Hailey Bieber, many famous faces have been spotted carrying the Mini Jodie, solidifying its status as a must-have accessory for fashion-forward individuals. As hard as it is to earn the title of an “icon,” Bottega Veneta has undoubtedly managed to do so with this creation, which year after year proved to be the go-to of all fashion connoisseurs worldwide.
Jackie by Gucci
America’s most stylish First Lady had a thing for Gucci – in particular for a certain style of crescent hobo bag that was fixed on her arm with an almost certainty throughout the 1970s. The Gucci Jackie Hobo bag is the epitome of warm, Italian luxury whose immediately recognizable shape blessed with soft, supple curves and a striking piston closure makes it the queen – or should we say, First Lady – of iconic designer bags. Its rise to long-standing international fame is in part thanks to Jackie Kennedy’s love for bags and frequent use of the style. In her time, Jackie (Onassis) Kennedy was one of the original American style icons often seen out in glamorous oversized sunglasses, silky 70s prints with refined styling, and, more often than not, a Gucci Jackie bag slung gracefully over her shoulder or held in front of her face as an audaciously chic approach to blocking out the paparazzi.
Contrary to popular belief, the handbag now synonymous with the ever-elegant and well-loved former first lady and original style icon, Jackie Kennedy, was first designed in the 1950s and named The Fifties Constance. Jackie fell in love with the style and was known for owning the bag in several different colors, establishing them as an ever-present staple in her styling. Because she wore the handbag so often, she and the style became synonymous with one another as it embodied Kennedy’s luxurious yet versatile style, Gucci decided to rename the iconic bag after the iconic woman.
As if the look couldn’t get any more iconic, the Gucci Jackie bag, with its half-moon shape and seductively rounded edges, is considered to be the original hobo bag. The design shows a departure from the austere structured bags that ruled in the 1940s and 50s and signals the transition into the softer, more bohemian aesthetic that is now synonymous with the 1960s and 70s. Its enduring popularity is because of its luxe versatility and range of colors, patterns, and materials that render it all too easy for anyone to sport the classic bag while making it uniquely their own.
The style has been revisited over the 70-some years since it first appeared in an array of patterns and sizes, with larger versions offering an elegant alternative to the carryall tote bag, making it ideal for versatile wearers who seek pieces to live in while maintaining luxurious finishings. Despite the variations of finishings adopted over time, the design has remained largely unchanged over the years – a true testament to the iconic nature of the Gucci Jackie bag and its enduring relevance in the wardrobes and lives of fashion’s most stylish.
Chiquito by Jacquemus
It’s no secret that iconic handbags have taken on many shapes and sizes throughout the evolution of fashion. Today marks the era of the tiny bag takeover, with small styles catching the eyes of brands worldwide. A more recent – and worthy – addition to the world of iconic designer bags is a small style itself, the Jacquemus Chiquito handbag.
Making its splashing debut on the runway in 2017 as a part of its Spring/Summer 2018 collection, the Jacquemus mini bag Le Chiquito made a big impact on the world of contemporary fashion. With its minimalist design, bold colors, and slightly off-kilter architectural nature, the Chiquito bag became a fast favorite of celebrities such as the Kardashian clan, Rihanna and many more. The Kardashians have been spotted carrying the bag in almost every color, from vibrant yellow and orange to the more muted metallics and classic white. When warm weather strikes and bright colors reign supreme, you might consider it impossible to open your Instagram feed and not find it studded with Chiquito-adorned influencers at summer resorts or lining sunny city streets. The Chiquito bag took a fast track to become iconic, not only for its structural yet smooth construction and subtly flirtatious shape but also for the extensive range of colors and finishes that allow anyone to adapt the bag to their own style and personality without losing its immediately identifiable iconic status.
As the newest style to make the iconic bags edit, we celebrate that great design doesn’t need to have years of heritage behind it to be adopted as an instant icon. Iconic handbags are made in the hands of the world’s best designers, and with each passing season, some new looks have what it takes to become the fashion world’s next icon. Its effortless and sensual aura in clean cuts and a uniquely positioned round handle, create enough excitement to hold our interest as the Chiquito handbag pushes forward into the next era of what defines iconic luxury fashion.
We see this phenomenon time and time again in the world of icons. To get an invite into the club of cult-worthy classics, the design must be innovative for its time so that it holds impact and stands out from other styles, truly embody the woman that carries it, and be able to move forward and stand the test of time as a style that can always be counted on as fresh yet eternally relevant even in the context of changing trends.
Balenciaga City
Balenciaga City is perhaps the most iconic, known, and loved bag of the early 2000s that still reigns in its reincarnated forms. Initially designed by Nicolas Ghesquière in 2001, the “Motorcycle City Bag” quickly became one of the most popular and recognizable leather bag in the fashion world.
From its first tangible moments, the bag faced resistance from the company management, who deemed it “too light, too soft and lacking structure.” Young Ghesquière was confident of his vision and thus convinced the brand to produce 25 prototypes, which were then sent to some of the most notable names in the industry.
One of those lucky 25 landed in the hands of none other than the supermodel Kate Moss. At the pinnacle of her career, the It-Girl was widely praised and recognized for her effortless grunge style: whatever she deemed cool automatically became cool. But what was it that conquered the hearts of the bag’s notable 25 wearers that launched the bag’s decades-long success?
The Balenciaga City Bag is characterized by its slouchy, unstructured silhouette, soft leather, and signature hardware. Unlike many of its competitors at the time, it has no distinctive logo pattern. The bag is adorned with a distinctive tassel zipper pull, braided top handles, and an adjustable shoulder strap. The hardware is typically brass, which adds to the bag’s vintage feel.
The City Bag, including Balenciaga Mini City, is available in various colors, materials, and finishes, making it a versatile accessory that can be dressed up with a sleek dress or a suit, but is also fit for a more casual, everyday look. It is often seen in classic black but also comes in bold shades like red, pink, and blue. Some versions are crafted from exotic materials like crocodile or snakeskin, while others are decorated with studs or embroidery. One of the reasons for the City Bag’s enduring popularity is its practicality. The bag is roomy enough to hold all your essentials yet compact enough to carry around all day without weighing you down. It’s easy-to-wear design and casual-chic vibe make it the perfect accessory for various occasions.
Over the years, the Balenciaga City Bag has become synonymous with effortless style and luxury. It has slowly gained its rightful place at the upper echelon with the rest of the icons.
In pre-Fall 2021, the bag was famously reinvented and reborn as Le Cagole.
The “daughter” of the famous Motorcycle Bag inherited the icon’s main distinctive features, such as the supple leather embellished with big metal studs. However, it does differ in its silhouette, holding a more structured, half-moon shape, with a pouch that closes with a zipper and a mirror in the form of a heart.
In conclusion, the Balenciaga City Bag is an accessory that has stood the test of time and is reinterpreted and adorned just as much. With its unique design, practicality, and undeniable style, it is easy to see why this bag has become a classic and a fashion staple for all connoisseurs for over two decades. Whether you are a fan of high-end fashion or appreciate a well-made accessory, the Balenciaga City Bag and its reinventions are a must-have for any wardrobe.
Dior Lady
Named after Lady Diana herself, the Dior Lady bag is an elegant, timeless classic, much like its namesake. It first hit the scene in 1994 when Dior’s reigning Creative Director Gianfranco Ferré named it after the Princess of Wales, who was known for her impeccable style. The bag ended up in the hands of Lady Diana the following year as a gift from former French First Lady Bernadette Chirac.
The Dior Lady bag quickly became a must-have accessory for every fashion-forward woman. Its soft, quilted leather exterior and gold hardware exuded luxury and sophistication.
Although the bag is named after the world’s most known and loved woman at the time and is instantly associated with her, this icon, in its most subtle, elegant details, was also an homage to Christian Dior himself. The French designer was known for his superstitious beliefs and was always known to carry a tangle of talismans, an idea reflected in the metallic charms that decorate the bag.
Over the years, the Dior Lady bag has undergone several updates and revamps. This bag has evolved from new colors and materials to different sizes and styles while maintaining its classic charm. But what sets the Dior Lady bag apart is its versatility. It can be dressed up or down, worn with jeans, a t-shirt, or a fancy cocktail dress. It’s the perfect bag for any occasion. It signals class and timelessness that cannot be challenged, so it’s remained so popular for so many years.
1969 Nano by Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne, a designer who has etched his name in the history of fashion as someone who was always ready to push the envelope, think ahead of his time and make irresistible, never-before seen items in fashion. Paco Rabanne’s 1969 Nano bag may seem like a simple accessory, but upon closer inspection, its intricacies and unique design become apparent. The chainmail bag and its bold style is just as modern as it seemed 50 years ago when it first came out, and that is the commendable genius of the late Paco Rabanne.
Today, the 1969 Paco Rabanne Bag is considered a classic piece of fashion history and has been reissued by the Paco Rabanne brand in various iterations over the years. Its innovative design and use of unconventional materials continue to inspire designers and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Fendi Baguette
Ever since making its debut in 1997 the Fendi Baguette and its wearers enjoyed a steady rise to the top. After more than 25 years of being a favorite accessory in the hands of all fashion lovers the bag has once and for all cemented itself as a classic.
Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, the granddaughter of the founder of Fendi, the bag was given a cheeky, fun name and echoes a manner in which a true, Parisian woman would carry her baguette under her arm.
The Fendi Baguette like many icons we know today, was not an instant hit, but as we’ve already learned, it takes one single match to light up a wildfire, and that is exactly what happened when Sarah Jessica Parker entered the scene as Carrie Bradshaw. The Baguette alongside the known and loved Manolo Blahnik classic heels were the star accessories of the show, their names appeared in conversations and were seen worn by the main heroine. The bag came to symbolize the whole zeitgeist, an era in pop-culture and a community of fashion lovers.
The Fendi Baguette has gone through numerous iterations and updates over the years, but it remains a staple in the Fendi collection Today, the Baguette remains a favorite among fashion lovers and collectors, with new, reinvented versions for both men and women released each season. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless design and the lasting impact it has had on the world of fashion.
