Every season brings new trends to our screens—capri pants, cowboy boots, ribbons, Von Dutch hats, and headbands—that come and go. Yet, certain pieces in the fashion world stand the test of time. For some, it might be the infamous skinny jeans; for others, the classic trench coat. But the one thing everyone seems to agree on is that luxury accessories are truly eternal.
Not every fashionista can recognize an item of clothing and tell without a doubt who designed it. But when it comes to the world’s favorite accessory—bags—the guessing game is much easier. Everyone knows who gave life to the Dior Saddle Bag or the Chanel Flap Bag, not just because of the brand names, but also for their cultural significance. Amidst all the prestigious purses in the fashion world, some are more well-known than others because of who or what made them popular. From the Fendi Baguette to the Birkin, these bags are instantly recognizable thanks to pop culture and the personalities who have made them so famous. Here is a compilation of the most iconic luxury bags popularized by Pop culture.
Jackie Gucci (Jacqueline Kennedy)
First named Constance, the Jackie 1961 shoulder bag continues to be a symbol of luxury and practicality. Rumor has it that three years after the legendary bag was launched, Jacqueline Kennedy visited a Gucci store and purchased six of the half-moon-shaped purses. After that, Jackie O was frequently spotted with one, putting the retro bag into the spotlight and leading the Italian house to rename it “the Jackie.”
Birkin Hermès (Jane Birkin)
“It’s not just a bag, it’s a Birkin,” said the salesperson to Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) in Sex and the City. One of the most famous purses in the world and certainly one of the most expensive, the Birkin bag was dedicated to none other than French-British singer and actress Jane Birkin. Born by chance when the actress and former Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas crossed paths on an Air France flight from Paris to London in the early ’80s, the Birkin bag fulfilled the actress’ need as a mother for a spacious bag. Now famous for its signature silhouette with a wide, flat bottom, flap closure, and handles—as well as its elevated price, long waiting lists, and even greater status symbol—the Birkin bag remains iconic to this day, worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Irina Shayk, Victoria Beckham, and Lady Gaga.
Lady Dior (Lady Diana)
Originally called the Chouchou, the bag now known as the Lady Dior was first gifted to Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales, in September 1995. After the First Lady of France introduced her to a new Dior model Diana was quickly smitten. From carrying one when stepping off an airplane in Buenos Aires, to donning others in her daily life, Diana proved to be a true devotee to the bag. In tribute, the French fashion house renamed the bag “Lady Dior,” as a subtle nod to its most illustrious fan. When Diana attended the 1996 Met Gala wearing a slip dress, clutching a smaller version of her beloved handbag, the fashion world was forever changed. Since then, the Lady Dior has been synonymous with the Princess of Wales, whose refined style and impeccable taste cemented her place as a fashion legend.
Fendi Baguette (Sex and The City)
It’s not just a bag, it’s a Fendi Baguette. It’s impossible to talk about legendary handbags without mentioning it. Designed in 1997 by Silvia Venturini Fendi and inspired by Parisian women carrying baguette bread under their arms, the bag wasn’t an instant success despite being a luxury item. But thanks to Sex and The City—more specifically, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker)—the Baguette became a sensation. In the show’s third season, Carrie is mugged in SoHo, losing a pair of Manolos and her purple sequined Fendi Baguette. When the thief repeatedly asks for her purse, she famously replies, “It’s a baguette!”
In addition to the correction and defense of the bag—er, baguette—Carrie Bradshaw appeared several times in the series wearing other versions, increasing its popularity. When the bag made its official return at the brand’s Spring/Summer 2019 show in Milan, Fendi’s campaign featured Parker reprising her legendary role. In the ad, four young women chase her after spotting the vintage Baguette she just bought. “I need that bag!” one of them shouts. “Oh, that’s not a bag,” Parker smiles, “It’s a baguette.” Even in Sex and The City‘s reboot And Just Like That, Bradshaw is seen wearing her purple sequined baguette again in New York streets.
Prada Spazzolato (The Devil Wears Prada)
In the acclaimed fashion film The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep’s character, the fearsome editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, Miranda Priestly, is introduced to the audience as she arrives at her office clutching one of her magazines and carrying a gray Prada Spazzolato bag. With its silver clasp and embossed Prada logo, the purse alludes to the movie’s title and reveals who the devil of the film is. From then on, everyone knows that the devil wears Prada—so gird your loins for the movie’s recently announced sequel.
Louis Vuitton Murakami Cherry Blossom (Mean Girls)
When Regina George (Rachel McAdams) analyzes the chaos caused by the distribution of the infamous Burn Book pages in the iconic film Mean Girls, she’s holding a Louis Vuitton Murakami Cherry Blossom bag. A staple of the character’s wardrobe—she also carries it while shopping with the Plastics and the new girl Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan)—the bag quickly became a symbol of Y2K fashion, and remains a favorite of many to this day.
Le City Balenciaga (Kate Moss, the Olsen sisters)
One of the most iconic bags of the noughties and a defining symbol of indie sleaze, Balenciaga’s Le City Bag initially received mixed reviews when Nicolas Ghesquière sent the design down the runway in 2001. At the time, the house’s executives were hesitant to produce it, worried that its lightweight, logo-free, and motorcycle-inspired design wouldn’t appeal to consumers at a time when logomania was trending. However, Le City became a must-have accessory for every It Girl. Fashion icons like Sienna Miller and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen embraced it, instantly propelling it into the mainstream. Now, in 2024, Le City Bag is making its return with a campaign starring Kate Moss, Mona Tougaard, Yang Chaoyue, and Juyeon as the faces of the accessory.
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Montaigne (Legally Blonde)
When Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) arrives at Harvard Law School with her chihuahua Bruiser Woods—who, like her, is a Gemini vegetarian—she wears her signature all-pink look, a leather skirt and jacket set, with the finishing touch of the spacious and classic Bottega Intrecciato Montaigne bag. Before we were all smitten with Bottega’s handbags—from the Jodie to the Sardine—Woods was already seen sporting her Intrecciato Montaigne in various scenes in the classic 2001 film Legally Blonde.
