The Most Highly Coveted Classic Designer Handbags, According to a Royalty-Beloved Personal Shopper (2025)

Former Saint Laurent creative director Hedi Slimane rolled out the beloved Sac De Jour handbag in 2013,and it was an instant hit with the likes of Kate Moss and Angelina Jolie that remains evergreen. Roomy, yet structured and tres-sleek, it has becomepopular as a unisex bag and continually reimaginedin many shapes, sizes and finishes. It girls Hailey Baldwin, Olivia Wilde and Bella Hadidhave more recently embraced the Sac de Jour; Hadid donned hers on repeat in March, causing a mini stampede.

“Think of the Sac de Jour las on part with the perfect trench coat: timeless, structured, effortless, always cool!” Bayme tells The Hollywood Reporter. “It bypasses trends completely.I always teach my clients to build longevity into their wardrobes, and this bag is a blueprint for staying stylish across decades, not seasons.”

While this chic quilted top-handle bag trimmed with a signature charm was originally called the Chouchou, it was renamed the Lady Dior in 1996 after Princess Diana made it her go-to tote. In 1996, Diana wore a custom miniature version in blue satin to match her Met Gala gown.

Now available in multiple sizes and materials, since 2016 the bag is also the subject of the annual Lady Dior Art Project, where it is reinvented in limited-edition riffs by artists from around the globe.

“Princess Diana was a fan; I could really just leave it at that,” Bayme notes. “But seriously, the Lady Dior is timeless beauty in handbag form. Whether you’re carrying it to the Met Gala or on a casual weekend getaway in Montecito, it instantly elevates every look. I think Meghan’s MIL would approve from above!”

Created in 1993, Longchamp’s signature leather-trim nylon Le Pliage carryall has a name that translates to its functional origami-style “folding” capacity and is imprinted with the French label’s horse motif. The affordable bag has since become a go-to for fashion heavy hitters such as Kate Middleton, Beyoncé, Lupita Nyong’o, Jennifer Lopez, Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner. Now the Le Pliage collection has grown to include backpacks, shoulder bags and pouches.

“Smart, functional, chic — that’s the message this bag sends,” adds Bayme. “I still pack them for my ultra-high-net-worth clients, because they fold up neatly and are brilliantly useful for travel. Insider tip: Add personalization with a hand-painted monogram. A luxe, insider’s touch for a bag that punches way above its price point.”

Named after musician-activist Nina Simone, Gabriela Heart’s debut Nina handbag was released in 2016. The distinctive clean-lined, rounded shape with a structured handle makes this bag feel contemporary yet classic. Demi Moore asked Gabriela to custom-make a smaller version of the Nina for her to carry at Princess Eugenie’s wedding, which then became part of the line. Amal Clooney, Anne Hathaway, Meghan Markle, Glenn Close, Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, Gillian Anderson and Greta Gerwig have all carried the style. Available by special order only in an array of materials, from nappa leather, cashmere lace and crocodile to crochet and snakeskin.

“One of my all-time favorite bags,” Bayme says. “I recently told a client, who often pulls out her Chanel collection for ladies’ lunches, ‘Try carrying the Nina instead!’It’s a refreshing disruptor among the usual suspects. Heads will turn. I’ve ordered it in crocodile in both sizes, to die for, but personally I love the satin version for evening. There’s nothing like it on the market. It’s feminine energy in shape and a conversation starter, as in, ‘Who makes that bag?'”

Named in honor of Ralph Lauren’s wife, Ricky, the structured top-handle Ricky bag debuted in 2005 and was inspired by a 19th-century English luggage piece. It has since been reinvented in various materials (alligator canvas, raffia and nappa leather) and iterations including drawstringand satchel versions. Kristin Davis, as Charlotte, carried an alligator version in And Just Like That… Margot Robbie, Emmy Rossum and Jessica Alba have also been spotted with Rickys.

“The Ricky bag always makes it in the keep pile when I edit a closet,” adds Bayme. “It is the bag that says, ‘I don’t follow trends because I’ve transcended caring.’ It’s old money, all-American, if-you-know-you-know energy. Classic without being boring, it’s inspired by heritage luggage, but still has a distinct, stylish look.”

While Gucci’s Marmont, Jackie and Bamboo silhouettes are all icons, Logo lovers’ carryall collections won’t be complete without the Italian luxury house’s Horsebit bag, available in the label’s GG Supreme canvas or textured leather and in top handle, shoulder and cross-body styles. Released in 1955, the silhouette is a continuation of the brand’s equestrian-inspired double ring and bar that first debuted on a pair of loafers.

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The fashion world first said “hello” to the iconic Chanel 2.55 Flap bag in 1955 when it was introduced by Coco Chanel; the shoulder strap offered a functional alternative to handheld styles. Diamond-stitch quilting and burgundy leather lining were other signatures.

Chanel’s late, lauded creative director Karl Lagerfeld added the Double C turn-lock closure and leather-woven chain strap, now emblematic to the bag; he also introduced the Double Flap and Chanel 19 Flag iterations. The prized design has been dressed up in every fabrication and trim imaginable, toted by style setters such as Dua Lipa, Princess Diana, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez.

“This is the dream bag: The gateway drug to French luxury,” says Bayme. “It was the first major luxury bag I ever bought for myself, years ago, and the one most collectors start with. Its versatility is unparalleled: small and medium sizes move easily from day to night, and the long chain makes it more practical than a clutch when you don’t want to set your bag down somewhere.
While bag sizes trend in and out like denim cuts, a medium classic flap will always keep you looking iconic just like Karl himself.”

Born in 2011 under former creative director Phoebe Philo, the structured, classic-cool Celine Box flap bag with a gold metal closure became a sought-after, can’t-go-wrong style for those in the know. When the Box bag was discontinued in 2023, there was a collective fashion panic, yet scarcity has simply amped desire for this lesson in understated luxury.

“I remember when the Celine Box bag was the piece,” Bayme recalls. “You’d walk into the Celine store in Paris and leave with the Box and a wool coat, the essentials of the era. Now, it’s vintage hype in the best way. Carrying one today isn’t just about style; it’s about signal. It shows you know fashion history. You’ve been doing this for years. Wearing it says, ‘I know, I’ve always known, and I don’t need current trends to validate me.'”

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Louis Vuitton’s sleek monogramNoé bucket bag —available in a limited-edition Petit style at 24S) was initially created in 1932 by Gaston-Louis Vuitton as a carryall for champagne producers to tote five bottles of bubbly without breakage, secured by the drawstring. Soon, women realized that it could double as an uber-chic handbag. Now available in four sizes and a more structured iteration, the NéoNoé, introduced in 2017, the silhouette has been over the years on the arms of Julianne Moore, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez and Dakota Johnson.

“This is a forever piece,” explains Bayme. “If you stick with classic styles at LV, that is usually the case. The Noé never looks dated, never looks out of style. It’s iconically, effortlessly chic. And I love the large size personally. My version of a chic-mom bag, it has that perfect casual-luxury balance and carries beautifully through seasons and cities alike.”

A tribute to musician-actress-style icon Jane Birkin, the special-order-by-wait-list Hermès Birkin bag was introduced in 1984 by the French luxury brand and is a hot get on resale sites such as FWRD Renew, Farfetch, Amazon Luxury Stores, Fashionphile and even Walmart.A cluster of Birkins recently made a cameo on the new AppleTV+ series Your Friends & Neighbors.

“There’s probably no more an obnoxious or coveted status symbol than the Hermès Birkin,” Jon Hamm’s character Coop says in voiceover narration. “They’re handcrafted in France by an elusive cabal of craftsmen trained in centuries-old equestrian trade techniques, using only the highest-end leather, exotic animal skins, stitching and hardware. The Birkin is the crown jewel of any woman’s handbag collection.”

Bayme weighs in: “You’re better off investing in a classic Hermès Birkin than the stock market, Birkins have only gone up in value, especially with the recent tariff increases. Whether you’re collecting or simply carrying the most impeccably made bag on earth, it’s a smart move. Mid-sized leather Birkins in classic colors, with gold hardware, remain the best investment if you ever plan to resell or monetize your collection.