Chanel! Gucci! The Row! These Are the It Bags Celebrities Are Actually Carrying in 2026

I’m not afraid to say it: the importance of a good handbag to elevate an outfit is key. When I’m on my daily social media scroll and spot a particularly chic dresser, my first thought isn’t usually about her jeans or shoes (well, sometimes it is), but rather, "What bag is that?"

So what makes an It bag, well… It? First of course is the brand. The most sought-after bags typically come from luxury fashion houses renowned for decades of impeccable design and craftspersonship. Names like Bottega Veneta, The Row and Chanel are synonymous with this amongst fashion people and celebrities alike. Then there are the silhouettes and detailing.

Is it practical, boasting ample space and interior pockets, or is it more of a fun, statement piece? Both can reach It status. And lastly, we must look at the brand "clout". In an era driven by social-first fashion, an It bag is only as popular as social media says it is. Case in point: the frenzy surrounding Matthieu Blazy's spring/summer Chanel collection, where demand for the Large Tote has reached a fever pitch online and subsequently translated into stores.

Since the start of 2026, we’ve seen plenty of contenders attempt to claim the title of It bag of the year. Think the Saint Laurent Mombasa or Loewe's Amazona 180, each with undeniable staying power. These are bags that can withstand the ever-changing trend cycle and will stay in your rotation for decades, rather than finding themselves listed on resale sites at the end of the season.

Scroll on to see the five most covetable It bags of 2026 so far, and find out exactly why they deserve a place in your handbag collection.

1. Chanel Large Tote

Style Notes: From Hailey Bieber to Kylie Jenner, Blackpink’s Jennie and Who What Wear UK’s very own editor-in-chief, Jane McFarland, the Chanel Large Tote is undoubtedly one of the most discussed designer bags of 2026 thus far. Part of the wider large-bag revival, it's wonderfully capacious in size, meaning you can fit everything you’ll need and more inside.

Finished with Chanel’s signature delicate gold hardware, it's instantly recognisable, but what sets this bag apart is its nondescript simplicity; an understated quality which ensures longevity. Practical yet designed to perfection, this would be with you for life.

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2. The Row Marlo Bag

Style Notes: This wouldn’t be an It-bag round-up without at least one style from The Row. The brand that practically defines quiet luxury has long been a favourite of discerning fashion people and celebrities. Over the years, it has spawned many an It bag (most notably the discontinued Margaux). But 2026 is all about the Marlo. Pre-empting '90s nostalgia before it was even in full swing, the Marlo is like the Margaux's equally as chic little sister. Medium in size, with a top handle and finished with a functional zip to close, it's all about slouchy, undone elegance—the likes of which only an Olsen twin could think up.

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3. Prada Route

Style Notes: I’ll admit that I was initially undecided on the Prada Route. That was until I spotted Alexa Chung carrying it (and yes, the reigning queen of cool can make me take a second look at just about anything). This cargo-style bag is a perfectly formed rectangular, top-handled bag, with an abundance of pockets on the interior and exterior. But ultimately, it made the It list because it couldn’t feel more "2026". As we step into a period of functional fashion, this kind of utilitarian energy is super on-trend.

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4. Gucci Giglio Large Tote

Style Notes: Alessandro Michele may have departed Gucci, but his influence will live on forever through his exquisite taste in handbags, most notably, the Gucci Giglio. Roomy, sculptural and designed to be noticed, the Giglio was a direct rejection of years of quiet luxury, and unsurprisingly, stylish celebs love it. From Sienna Miller to Dakota Johnson, Emily Ratajkowski to Kate Moss, this luxury hobo bag is a huge hit.

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5. Alaïa Le Teckel

Style Notes: Smaller bags seem more likely to fall prey to the trend cycle, but Alaïa's Le Teckel bag confidently stands its ground. Sending fashion into a frenzy when it was released in 2024, its elongated, sculptural shape kicked off the east-west handbag trend, and with luxurious fabrics and colourways available, what could have been a fleeting "trendy" bag has cemented itself as a legacy buy, and the chicest celebrities adore it. From Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Hailey Bieber, there are very few famous faces who don't have at least one of these in their collection.

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