Classic, Elegant and Incredibly Chic—This French Handbag Brand Will Never Go Out of Style

Celine bags have been firmly in the crook of the arm or dangling from the hand of fashion aficionados for as long as we can remember. (But if you're really wondering, from at least the 1960s, when eponymous designer and founder of the French brand, Céline Vipiana, first offered designer bags to her polished and bourgeois beatnik clients.) This timelessness has always positioned Celine bags as a clever investment amongst those in the know.

While the brand has given us many arm candy options to pine over since the category was introduced, we think it's fair to say that it was the fashion house's former creative director, Phoebe Philo, who helped make its bags so covetable.

Philo has now gone on to launch her own hotly anticipated label and her immediate successor, Hedi Slimane, exited the brand in 2024, but in their wake, the newly-appointed creative director, Michael Rider, has since continued to build on Celine's sleek, minimalist aesthetic with fresh, covetable designs.

The American designer, who most recently led the artistic vision for Ralph Lauren's womenswear, began his tenure by bringing back one of Philo's most celebrated creations: The Celine Phantom bag. Since his debut with the Spring 2026 collection, fashion people have not been able to stop debating which Celine bags are the best, dissecting the Parisian maison's ability to create covetable accessories and determine why, especially compared to their contemporary, they remain more quietly appreciated than most.

But thanks to their sophisticated shapes, impeccable craftsmanship and subtle yet seriously impressive hardware, Celine bags are undoubtedly a designer piece worth investing in.

Given this flurry of chatter around the brand's accessories, we here at Who What Wear have taken it upon ourselves to break down the 9 best Celine bags. It's not to say these listed here are better than the other shapes available. However, when it comes to virality, endurance and silhouettes that have become signatures, these Celine bags transcend their cohort.

If you're ready to take the plunge, these are the best and most sought-after Celine bags to go for. Be warned—you will want them all.

The 9 Best Celine Bags of All Time

• The Old Cèline Classic: Celine Luggage Bag
• The Hedi Slimane Staple: Celine Triomphe Bag
• The New Signature: Celine Victorie Bag
• The It Girl Favourite: Celine Ava Bag
• The Parisian Tote: Celine Camille 16 Bag

1. Celine Triomphe Bag

Style Notes: When Slimane, fresh from a successful stints at Dior Homme and Yves Saint Laurent, took the reins of the LVMH-owned brand, one of the first major moves he made was introducing the Triomphe motif. The vintage symbol, which dates back to the 1970s when the late Celine herself observed the interlocking 'C' symbol lining the chain link fence that surrounded the Arc de Triomphe, was given a fresh update in 2018 upon his appointment. The gilded clap is arguably Slimane's signature bag for the brand, with the logo front and centre of the sleek leather style.

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2. Celine Phantom Bag

Style Notes: Though Philo hasn't designed for Celine in nearly a decade, her presence and legacy still reverberate in every stitch. This, in part, is due to Rider being one of her pupils, having worked under her from 2008 to 2018. More so, however, is the fact that Rider decided to pay respect to his mentor by reviving one of her most important and culturally significant silhouettes, the Luagge bag, in his debut range. This comeback has only grown our appreciation for another of Philo's signature styles, the Phantom. With a larger wingspan and graduated east-west shape, the Phantom is like the Luggage's older sister (and surely primed for an update, too!)

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3. Celine Victoire Bag

Style Notes: One of the latest Celine releases, the Victoire bag is the Triomphe's softer sibling. Featuring the same Triomphe hardware on the flap, this shoulder bag has a subtly slouchier shape that makes it perfect for weekend and work wear.

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4. Celine Ava Bag

Style Notes: This half-moon shaped bag first launched in 2020, when it was spotted on the arms of the likes of Kaia Gerber, and was refreshed in the Fall 2023 collection to feature the Triomphe logo. If you want more of a statement piece, explore the patterned iterations, as well as the styles with playful strap details.

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5. Celine Classic Box Bag

Style Notes: With its clean lines and pared-back adornment, the Classic Box makes for a very apt name for this Celine bag. This style made its way onto the market in 2011 and has been reissued every year since. (It's also the design that's inspired DeMellier's Vancouver style, too!)

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6. Celine Belt Bag

Style Notes: If you're looking to upgrade your work bag, this is the style from you. Understated but oh-so chic, this seriously grown up bag feels relaxed enough to comfortably carry all of your daily essentials with ease.

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7. Celine 16 Bag

Style Notes: The first release from Slimane, this rounded shoulder bag proved to be an instant hit with A-listers. Featuring '60s details, including the cropped flap as well as rounded and belted effects, this bag is a clever homage to Celine's past.

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8. Celine Camille 16 Bag

Style Notes: As one of Hedi Slimane's final bags for Celine, the Camille 16 is an investment that will only increase in value. The name is inspired by the address of Celine's headquarters in Paris—16 Rue Vivienne, if you're wondering or just in the neighbourhood—and features a deep bucket shape and slouchy leather that elegantly slumps in place.

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9. Celine Luggage Bag

Style Notes: On par with the Mulberry Alexa and Proenza Schouler PS1, the Celine Luggage bag is perhaps the most iconic designer bag of the 2010s. Designed by Philo and propelled to fame in the spring/summer 2011 campaign starring Stella Tennant and Daria Werbowy, which was also lensed by Jurgen Teller, the Luggage bag is proof that when designed well, an It bag should never age.

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