It-bags vs. classic bags

It- bags sound great! Who doesn't want an it-bag? After all they are THE hottest bag - the bag everyone talks about, the bag that's on everyone's wishlist, and the bag you see all over social media, fashion week, and style magazines. The bags that fashion icons - like Hailey Bieber- wear out and about! Here's the problem with it-bags: they ride a wave of extreme but short- lived popularity, only to dissappear just as fast as they became popular. This leaves you with a terrible cost per wear ratio (CPW), and an expensive piece that may remain in your closet unworn for years. Celebrities - especially it-girls like Hailey Bieber - obviously don't have to worry too much about cost per wear! And it goes without saying, Hailey looked absolutely fantastic wearing her bag. If your financial capabilities are similar to hers, or even just above average, then this post might not be for you - you can and should indulge in any trends you like, without worrying too much how long you will wear the bag for in the future.

Besides everyone's individual budgets being a factor, I am also a firm believer, that we all need to do in life what brings us joy! And that CAN include buying an it-bag - even if your finances technically say otherwise! If you do spot a bag that is clearly an it-bag, and owning it would mean a lot to you, I don't want to advise you not to get it. However, if you are on a budget and you care about being on trend, and that's the main reason you are interested in a specific bag, it may not be a good financial decision. You may be better off investing in pieces that aren't AS popular right now, but have stood the test of time and can be worn for years to come - without screaming "last season".

A few good examples for what I would consider classic bags are: the Chanel Classic Flap, the Louis Vuitton Speedy (my personal favorite), the Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires (in classic Monogram), the Louis Vuitton Neverfull, and the Lady Dior. If you get any of these in a classic color such as black (or the classic Monogram for Louis Vuitton), none of them will scream "on trend" - but they also won't scream "trend from 3 years ago" later! I think that's why I gravitated towards classic pieces when I first started my handbag journey - and opted for a cheaper brand such as Tory Burch when I wanted a pink bag for a pop of color! While I believe that this is the smartest way to invest in handbags, other people might disagree and find my collection boring. They would rather have a bag that stands out, and that is equally valid.

If you do care about the longevity of your pieces, here's my guide on how to spot classic bags, and it-bags (the ones to avoid - unless you REALLY love them):

How to spot a classic bag:

1) You have seen people wear this bag for years

2) It has been available for a long time (not limited edition)

3) It is easy to get (not sold out everywhere)

4) It isn't talked about non-stop on social media

How to spot an it- bag:

1) You suddenly see it everywhere

2) You didn't initially like it when you first saw it, but you became obsessed after seeing it everywhere

3) It is really hard to get, it's sold out everywhere, and goes on the resale market for a high price

4) It stands for a specific style: "clean girl", "mob wife", or as painful as it is to admit: "y2k "

I don't want to discourage anyone from getting any bag in particular. But I believe a good example for an it-bag that is no longer as popular would be the Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette - even though I like it, and I am a big fan of Hailey! During the pandemic it was THE bag everyone wanted - it was hard to get, because it was frequently sold out. It was seen everywhere and worn by celebrities - and now it just kind of isn't - although I definitely think it can still be a vibe.

Unfortunately I have to admit, that the Louis Vuitton Murakami collection (2025/2026) most likely also falls under this category. Writing the list on how to spot an it-bag almost felt like rewriting the story of how I got all of my Murakami bags: the initial disinterest, the obsession that built over time, the extremely high resale price, the adrenaline rush when a bag finally became available.. I have definitely deviated from my own preferred approach when I decided to buy not only one, but three pieces from the collection! However I think - and maybe this is me bargaining - that the Murakami bags are my personal exception for a reason. Here's why: they were THE bags of the early 2000's. They were the bags everyone wanted when I was a teenager, and I would have never been able to afford one back then. They therefore hold extreme sentimental value to me, that most it-bags just wouldn't. That's why I still believe that buying them was not a mistake - even though they check every single box of being an "it-bag"!

Princess Diana wearing her black Lady Dior bag, as featured in Brittish Vogue 2022

Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 in classic Monogram. Seen in StyleDuMonde, photographed by Acielle, Paris, fall 2022

The Chanel Flap Bag in black - still on my list! I have heard through the grapevine that the resale value of these bags have dropped and it could be a good idea to get one second-hand - if you are in the market for pre-loved pieces!

Hailey Bieber wearing the Louis Vuitton Mutli Pochette, around 2020

My Multicolor Louis Vuitton Pouchette Accessoires - most likely an it-bag! But it brings me joy and therefore it was still worth it!