Earlier this week, Harry Styles was trying to keep a low profile in Paris. Despite wearing a black hoodie, baseball cap and fleece jacket, it didn’t take long for the paparazzi to find him. When they did, the singer’s choice of bag got everyone talking. Styles was spotted hauling around a luxe Margaux leather bag from The Row, which retails for $4,390. It has quickly become a celebrity It bag, with celebrities including Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lawrence also wearing it.
With sleek silhouettes and an understated attitude (no logo in sight!), Styles’ bags are a unisex design. The article is further proof that the Vogue cover star has always had his finger on the fashion pulse, and he’s not the only one with his finger on it. Celebrities—from athletes to rappers—are in the age of carrying big bags that symbolize power, opting for ultra-chic totes and duffle bags, from large Bottegas to even larger Birkin bags.
During this month’s Super Bowl, several NFL stars entered Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with huge (and very expensive) bags. Travis Kelce walked in in a custom Amiri look paired with the label’s Big Star tote; his teammate Jerick “Jet” McKinnon carried a large Bottega tote; meanwhile, San Francisco 49ers player Christian McCaffrey wore a The oversized Hermès haut à courroies bags, which feature zippers and pockets, have become popular and are selling for up to $68,000 on resale sites. In other words: this is no ordinary sports travel bag.
Men get a bad rap for carrying functional but unflattering bags (please, no more battered briefcases or beat-up backpacks), but as more and more men in and out of Hollywood experiment with their own style, they’re getting a kick out of it The attitude toward accessories seems to be upgrading as well. One of my favorite fashion moments recently was when A$AP Rocky stepped out carrying a pale pink woven Bottega Veneta tote—a bag that’s definitely feminine, but looks so much cooler on a man. He paired it with baggy jeans and a blazer for an effortless style.
What does this newfound men’s love affair with power bags – bags that are bold and eye-catching – mean for today’s times? On the one hand, this obviously means that self-expression is freeing up in fashion; we no longer call men’s bags “murses” and other silly things. But it also reflects a larger fashion shift, with men now willing to invest in more expensive and sophisticated pieces. Perhaps we can point to a trend toward hidden wealth that focuses on quality rather than quantity. (There’s nothing subtle about a star like Ravis Scott and his collection of XXL Birkin bags, though.)
Whatever it is, it’s great that we’re finally starting to see men break away from the basic business briefcase or backpack they’ve had since college and have more fun with it. Thank God! Men, you don’t have to go out and splurge on expensive designer bags, but it’s more about conveying the spirit and feeling you’re after. Look for stylish, elevated styles, whether it’s a top handle or a cross-body bag. A fashionable and high-quality bag is the best investment item to make you look like a big boss. Why dress like an employee when you can look like a CEO?
