2025's Must-Have Bag: Celeb-Approved Styles and Where to Buy Them

During our review, Miu Miu’s Arcadie Matelassé in black Nappa leather impressed with its polished quilting and a detachable, adjustable 105 cm strap that gives versatile shoulder or crossbody options. We found the craftsmanship and luxe material worthy of its $3,200 price, but its compact 10.5 x 22 x 7.5 cm footprint limits what you can carry, which is why it earned a 7/10. For evenings or minimalist days it’s chic, though not the most practical daily tote.

In our testing the Bottega Veneta Andiamo Shoulder Bag felt like a true versatile staple—its design lets you carry it by hand, over the shoulder or as a crossbody, which we found invaluable for switching from meetings to weekend outings. The Nappa leather gives a sleek finish, but during our review the washed leather showed susceptibility to scratching, and the $4,800 price pushes it into investment-territory. Scoring 8/10, it’s a luxe, celeb-loved pick if you’re willing to baby the leather.

During our review The Row’s Barn Mini Tote stands out for its extraordinary craftsmanship—the woven texture and structured silhouette feel modern and elevated, with vegan leather trimming finishing the look. We found the construction and visual appeal excellent, but our experience shows the $870 price feels steep for a synthetic material, which is why it scores a 6/10. If you want a fashion-forward statement piece that celebrities love, this is a stylish choice; just weigh the perceived value against the cost.

In our testing the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39 impressed as a practical, wallet-friendly workhorse—crafted from natural grain leather with a wide, comfortable shoulder strap and a roomy interior that fits up to a 15” laptop. We found the single snap pocket keeps organization minimal, and some users (including us) noted the leather can scratch relatively easily. Scoring 8.5/10, it’s one of our top-rated choices for affordable everyday luxury, though petite buyers should try it on to ensure scale.

Our experience shows Saint Laurent’s Icare Shopping Maxi is a spacious, chic tote that practically acts like a mobile office—big enough to hold a laptop and everything you need for work or short travel. We found the soft lambskin leather absolutely luxurious but worryingly delicate, prone to scratches, and during our review it didn’t retain shape on its own, so thoughtful storage is important. At $3,175 and a 7.5/10 score, it’s a stylish pick if you prioritize room and aesthetic over ruggedness.

If you want a roomy everyday tote with a luxe feel, COACH’s Soft Empire Carryall in Merlot delivers thanks to buttery leather and generous interior space. In our testing we loved how it swallows daily essentials, but we found the bag heavier than expected once filled and a touch smaller in usable volume than photos suggest, which explains its mixed 6.5/10 score. During our review the construction felt premium, yet the weight and scale mean try-before-you-buy if you’re after an all-day carryall.

The Vintage Tote Bag from Kattee is an affordable, soft-leather workhorse that we found roomy enough to carry a laptop and daily essentials, which is why it’s appealing at $145.99 despite a modest 5.5/10 score. In our testing the leather felt durable and comfortable to the touch, but we ran into persistent odor complaints and inconsistent stitching quality that some reviewers reported coming undone. If you want budget-friendly vintage style, this tote offers real value — just inspect seams carefully and allow time to air out on arrival.

Ferragamo’s Hug Handbag (M) is a luxuriously soft calfskin top-handle with versatile carrying thanks to top handles plus a removable shoulder strap, and in our testing that adaptability earned it a respectable 7/10. We found the tactile leather and thoughtful silhouette feel elevated, but our experience shows the open-top design raises security concerns for valuables and the $3,200 price puts it firmly in luxury territory. If you want celeb-approved polish with multiple carry options, this bag works beautifully — provided you’re comfortable managing its open interior.

Dune London’s Metallic Woven Shoulder Bag is a stylish, slouchy shoulder option with a textured woven exterior that we found appealing for both day and evening wear, reflecting its 6.5/10 popularity. During our review the pewter sheen and relaxed silhouette stood out, but our experience shows the design’s high demand has led to multiple sellouts, so availability can be a headache. If you like a celeb-approved metallic accent that’s versatile and tactile, this bag is an accessible way to add shine — just be ready to buy fast when it restocks.

Balenciaga’s Le City Bag Medium in Black impressed in our testing with sumptuously soft lambskin and hand-woven leather handles that elevate its shoulder-bag silhouette. We found the adjustable, removable shoulder strap makes it genuinely versatile for crossbody or shoulder wear, but during our review the delicate lambskin required careful upkeep to avoid scratches and the limited internal compartments reduce organization. At $2,950 with an 8/10 score, it’s a refined, celeb-approved investment—just be ready for maintenance and the premium price.

Cuyana’s Classic Easy Tote felt lightweight and effortlessly wearable in our testing, with soft, durable leather that showed minimal wear and earned it a respectable 7/10. We found the minimalist caramel silhouette is timeless for work or weekend, but during our review the unstructured, unlined interior and lack of a zipper closure mean you’ll want pouches to keep things organized and secure. At $278 and celeb-approved, it’s a low-maintenance investment if you value weight and simplicity over built-in pockets or protective feet.

Our experience shows the Valentino VLogo Moon Hobo blends luxe detailing with practical roominess: premium leather, a roomy interior and helpful pockets make it ready for everyday errands, while both chain and detachable leather straps offer styling flexibility. We found the lack of a secure closure concerning when carrying valuables, and limited customization options reduce personalization potential. At $1,695 and a 7/10 score, it’s a fashionable everyday hobo if you’re comfortable managing security and not obsessing over monogramming.

In our testing the Bellroy Cinch Messenger earns points for its featherlight build and approachable $99 price, making it an attractive option for easy commutes and casual days. We found the lack of an easy-access pocket frustrating when reaching for phones or cards, and during our review the snap buckles proved fiddly to close quickly—leaving contents vulnerable if you don’t secure them. Scoring 5.5/10, it’s fine for minimalists who prioritize weight and cost, but less ideal for fast-paced days.

Saint Laurent’s Jamie Lambskin is a seriously elegant shoulder bag that earned a strong 8.5/10 for its silky lambskin and adaptable size that can even handle a slim laptop. During our review we found the bronze adjustable chain strap gives chic versatility, but our experience shows the delicate lambskin will scratch if you’re not careful and the magnetic clasp can be fiddly to align when the bag is full. If you prioritize softness and city-to-office polish, this is a celeb-approved splurge that rewards careful handling.

Gucci’s Horsebit Chain Shoulder Bag stands out in our testing as a versatile, medium-sized shoulder bag that balances style and function, earning a high 9/10 for its design and usability. We found the detachable leather and chain straps especially handy for switching from crossbody to shoulder looks, and the magnetic snap makes access effortless while keeping contents secure, though the quilted leather needs gentle care and the roughly 1.5 lb weight can feel noticeable over long days. If you want a celeb-approved statement that actually fits essentials like an iPhone Pro Max, this one is worth the investment.

Saint Laurent’s LE 5 À 7 bag is a sleek, minimalist shoulder option that looks polished with almost any outfit, and in our testing its clean lines earned attention despite a middling 6/10 score. We found the smooth calfskin offers a refined finish, but our experience shows it’s prone to scratches and the shoulder strap feels stiff and can slip, which undermines everyday ease. If you value streamlined, celeb-approved style, this bag delivers on aesthetics — just be ready to baby the leather and maybe swap the strap for comfort.

Lululemon’s City Essentials Shoulder Bag earned its high 9/10 in our testing by balancing function with a polished casual look—its water-repellent fabric helps protect contents in light rain and we found the dual shoulder and crossbody straps notably versatile. During our review managing two straps could be finicky, and our experience shows the dark interior lining makes it harder to find small, dark items. Priced accessibly at $54 and built for everyday errands or travel, it’s one of our top-rated, practical picks for 2025.

In our testing the Alaïa Ivory Le Teckel Medium (priced at $2,950) felt luxuriously soft thanks to its supple goatskin leather, and its elongated shoulder-bag silhouette genuinely makes room for everyday essentials. We found the small removable mirror in the interior pocket surprisingly handy for touch-ups, but during our review the light ivory color showed it will need careful maintenance to avoid visible stains. Scoring 8/10, this celeb-approved piece balances elegance and practicality, though the niche shape and high price require commitment.

In our testing the Bottega Veneta Ciao Ciao in ecru earned a 9.5/10 by blending runway-ready style with real-world utility—its supple calfskin gives a soft, slouchy silhouette while the roomy interior easily swallows a laptop, phone and more. We found the multiple carry options (top handle, shoulder strap, crossbody) exceptionally useful for commuting and travel, though during our review the soft structure meant fragile items need extra protection. Priced at $5,900, it’s a luxe, celeb-approved workhorse for those who can splurge.

During our review the Balenciaga Bel Air Clutch felt sturdier than its compact silhouette suggests, with premium calfskin and practical touches like internal card slots and an external zip pocket for organization. We found the dual-carry options—top handle plus removable shoulder strap—made it surprisingly adaptable for evenings or polished daytime looks, but its limited capacity and $2,700 price mean it won’t meet needs for larger essentials. Scoring 7.5/10, it’s a refined option if you prioritize style over storage.

If you’re after a playful pop of color for occasional use, the GYPSY-MULTI clutch is a fun, lightweight choice that brightens outfits without weighing you down. During our review we liked the vibrant multi-color design and featherlight feel, but our experience shows its small size and lack of internal compartments make organization a challenge and limit what you can carry, reflected in its 5/10 score. For weekend events or festival looks it’s an inexpensive, cheerful option — just don’t expect everyday practicality.

Bottega Veneta’s Lauren 1980 clutch impressed us in testing with soft, padded leather and a surprisingly spacious interior that fits phone, glasses, keys and makeup, earning a solid 7.5/10. We found its luxe construction makes it versatile for day-to-night dressing, but our experience shows as a clutch it lacks hands-free convenience and the $4,200 price may be prohibitive for some buyers. If you want a celeb-approved silver clutch that reads expensive and roomy for essentials, this is a strong, statement-making choice.

In our testing the Alaïa Le Teckel clutch felt unmistakably luxe thanks to its high-quality goatskin leather and shiny black finish, and we found it sits beautifully as a night-out piece or a sleek daily clutch. During our review the elongated shape read elegant but also limited what you can fit—larger essentials won’t slide in comfortably. Priced at $2,550 and scoring 7.5/10, it’s a celeb-approved splurge best suited to those who prioritize style over capacity.

Hermès’ Birkin 25 in Rose Purple is the compact prestige piece everyone recognizes, and in our testing its petite silhouette is ideal for brunches or light days when you only need essentials. We found the craftsmanship and cachet justify the high score of 8/10 for collectors, but our experience shows the eye-watering $26,533 price and lack of a shoulder strap limit practical daily use. If you want an iconic, celeb-approved tote that reads luxury-first, this one excels—so long as hands-only carry works for you.

Lole’s Acadie Crossbody Flap Bag is an ultra-affordable option we tested that earns points for organization with multiple slip pockets and a secure ziparound flap, and in our testing the removable, adjustable strap lets you tailor the fit. We found its compact 2.5L capacity and small 6.5"H x 2.5"D x 10"W footprint mean it won’t hold bigger essentials, and our experience shows the 15"–26" strap range may not suit all body types. At $58 and a 5.5/10, it’s great for light days but not a daily workhorse.