Celebrity Men Wearing Handbags Was The Cultural Reset I Didn't Know I Needed
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Thu, 18 Jan 2024
Who What Wear
It-bags, it-boys.
While we've barely scratched the surface of the new year, that has not stopped the onslaught of predictions about what will come to define 2024. Every corner of the internet is filled with forecasts about what the future will hold—albeit in the form of guesses about the films that will sweep award season or the fashion trends that will take over TikTok. But anyone who's been around the block long enough can tell you that prophecies can not be fulfilled without being rooted within a bit of knowledge about the past. History doesn't just exist in the past; it's in the present, too. Understanding all of the moments that led to this one can give us insight into why something is happening and what will come next, especially within the context of fashion. Therefore, when thinking about the new year, it's not a bad idea to reflect upon the last too. Of course, if I'm being honest, it can be hard to pick just one historically relevant phenomenon with so much happening in the past few years. But I do know that there's been one trend in my mind that has acted as a cultural reset: men wearing handbags. Although one might surmise that spotting a Hollywood it-boy donning an it-bag is just a "silly" little moment not to be taken seriously, that's far from the truth. I've never been more convinced that one trend speaks to what's happening in the culture than all of the male celebrities who have been carrying designer handbags. In an effort to prove my point, I've done a deep dive to try to explain how this trend came to fruition by showing its embrace on the runway and in real life. If there's any phenomenon that's sure to continue to define this period, it's male purses, period.
Were to ask any fashion historian, they would tell you that the concept of men wearing handbags isn't groundbreaking. But within the past year, we've seen this trend bubble up in ways that we haven't seen in recent memory. My theory is that we've seen a rise in the popularity of the "man purse" because it directly reflects how fashion is used to challenge cultural "norms." It's no secret that style has always been used as a way to subvert gender conformity, racism, and sexism, but it feels incredibly fresh at this moment. Because we've seen a slew of political policies passed around the world that erode the rights that women and members of the LGBTQ+ community have over their bodies within the last few years. From the overturning of Roe v. Wade to the countless laws passed to police how non-binary people dress in public, there's no shortage of laws aimed at degrading ideas of bodily autonomy. In a way, one could argue that the degradation of rights has given rise to a counter-culture that centers on positively reframing ideas and values around femininity. One only needs to reference the box-office numbers for the Barbie film, the virality of the "girlhood" fashion trend, and even men donning handbags as proof of such efforts. While art forms like films or fashion can not be held at the same efficiency levels as actual political protest, they're still imperative because they are a source of solace in times of uncertainty. After all, what's more refreshing than seeing famous men embrace something as "feminine" as a handbag? Nothing, in my humble opinion. While good-ole misogyny has reared its ugly head, seeing men carrying their little bags has acted as a cultural reset. It's the receipts, proof, timeline, and screenshots I've needed to be assured that not all hope is lost. Although it might seem melodramatic, I know I'm not the only one feeling this way. With so much buzz on social media surrounding all the celebs spotted wearing designer bags, plus the continued allure of the "quiet luxury" movement, it's safe to say this trend carries significant weight. But if you're still dubious about this trend, you'll want to keep scrolling to see the examples of men wearing purses first on the runway and in real life that I've rounded up to prove my point.
WHAT: JW Anderson F/W 24. One could argue that before male celebrities were down for the cause, designers were first. Without the work of creatives like Jonathan Anderson, it would not be commonplace for menswear collections to center handbags.
WHAT: Hérmes S/S 24. Of course, the boys that have always been in the know have never shied away from buying some of the most coveted bags in the world—the appeal of Hérmes' Birkin isn't limited to one gender, ok!
WHAT: Boss F/W 23. Although the concept of men wearing bags might challenge "gender norms," there were a great deal of examples on the runway that felt traditional. For instance, in Boss' F/W 23 collection, men wore structured totes and briefcases with well-tailored suits. Proving that bags can appeal to even the most buttoned-up boys.
WHAT: Luar F/W 23. While there are many "traditional" examples of bags in menswear collections, the most exciting ones centered on pushing the gender binary—case in point: Luar's F/W 23 collection. No matter who was walking down the runway, every aspect of the runway looks (from the apparel to the accessories) in Luar's collection blurred the lines between "femininity" and "masculinity."
WHAT: Ferragamo S/S 24. Even in more luxury fashion houses, there's been a movement to push the envelope. For example, in Ferragamo's S/S 24 collection, we saw men carrying structured work bags in sumptuous shades of leather.
WHAT: Fendi F/W 24. Although we've seen more brands embrace this trend, quite a few legacy fashion houses have long been about incorporating this accessory into their menswear collection. Chief among them? Fendi. For a while now, we've seen this house reinvent its classic baguette bag "for the boys."
WHAT: Burberry F/W 23. While some brands have always been "in their bag", others have seen that shift happen as new creative directors have come into the shuffle. That's no more apparent than with Daniel Lee's first F/W 23 Burberry collection. With a long history of designing some of the industry's most buzzy accessories, it was no surprise we saw men styled with bags, too.
WHAT: Coach S/S 24. Hopefully, you've been convinced that runway collections have played a pivotal role in making this accessory more commonplace in menswear. But another aspect that has made the trend so big is its cross-intersection with celebrity culture. Without brands like Coach collaborating with male-style icons (like Lil Nas X) to create capsule collections, the appeal of men's bags could have been lost to the larger collective.
WHO: A$AP Rocky. WHAT: FullBottega Veneta Look. It hasn't been just Coach that's partnered with male celebrities to make the "man bag" trend a cultural phenomenon. Recently, Bottega Veneta partnered with the rapper A$AP Rocky to take the celeb's street-style paparazzi photos and transform them into a brand campaign—it went instantly viral. As an artist who's been cemented as a style icon because of his ability to take risks, it only made sense we'd spot him donning the most coveted Bottega Veneta bag of the moment in pink.
WHO: Jacob Eldordi. WEAR: David Yurman Bracelet; Louis Vuitton Speedy P9 Bandoulière 40 ($11100). Another male celebrity whose paparazzi shots have gone viral after perusing the streets with the season's hottest handbags? Jacob Eldordi. While the actor may be most beloved for his roles in Euphoria or Saltburn, or even his devastatingly good looks, the fashion crowd loves him because of his bag collection. Spotted with everything from The Row's Half-Moon Shoulder bag to Louis Vuittion's Speedy, this man's bags are almost as beautiful as him.
WHO: Bad BunnyWEAR: Gucci Jackie 1961 Small Shoulder Bag ($2950) and Horsebit Loafer ($920). Let the record show that Hollywood's hottest men love their handbags because Bad Bunny has entered the chat! If you can recall, last year, the musician went viral for his buzzy campaign with Kendall Jenner—both stars were photographed at an airport with Gucci bags in tow. While the campaign has undoubtedly been seared into our collective memories, I attribute more mental space to the ensemble he wore during fashion week (above). Bad Bunny gets what the girls really want: him and the Gucci Jackie 1961 Shoulder Bag.
WHO: Charles Melton. WEAR: Prada Brique Saffiano Leather Bag ($2950); Nike Airforce Sneakers. Oh, you thought men wearing bags couldn't be hotter? Think again. When it comes to proving just how attractive this trend has become, one only merely needs to look to the trend's adoption by one of Hollywood's hottest actors: Charles Melton. While the world may finally be giving this talented actor the accolades he deserves—recently, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in May December—let us make it clear that he's always been a star in our books. Purely on his ability to pull off a purse alone, he should be one in yours too.
WHO: Evan MockWEAR: Chanel. Possibly the most exciting thing about Hollywood right now is how many newer actors are willing to take risks with their personal style. A prime example is the breakout star from HBO's Gossip Girl reboot, Evan Mock. He's quickly cemented himself as a fashion boy because he's never afraid to pull off things that most would define as "feminine"—e.g., a pink buzz cut or compact Chanel chain pouch bag.
WHO: Damson IdrisWEAR: Prada. Even for men who are more reserved when taking fashion risks, there's been no shortage of other examples in Hollywood that have shown bags are an approachable trend to adopt. One example? British actor Damson Idris's look for Prada's F/W 24 menswear show. Even the most cut-and-dry items like a coat, t-shirt, and trousers can feel cooler with the addition of a compact crossbody bag.
WHO: Jeremy Allen White. WEAR: Lacoste Sweater Vest; Adidas Samba OG Shoes ($100) . Of course, even with examples of how wearable this trend is for men, there will still be some readers out there who are dubious about the concept. But for those willing to ease themselves (or the stylish guys in their lives) into this trend, the easiest way to embrace it is with an oversized tote bag. Even male celebrities who give off that "guy's guy" energy—think of Jeremy Allen White, who's perpetually wearing an oversize t-shirt and baggy trousers—can find themselves saying "yes, chef" to a tote bag. It's a style that's innately pragmatic, making it something that can speak to everyone.
WHO: David Beckham. WEAR: Loro Piana Bomber Jacket ($3000); Goyard Paris MM Trunk Bag (price available upon inquiries) . It might seem like the trend of men donning bags is something that's solely been championed by "new" stars, but that's far from the truth. Over the years, there have been a number of male-style icons that have challenged how we categorize "men's fashion," including the one and only David Beckham. We've seen him score style points over the years by taking risks, including wearing handbags before it was even a big thing. In many ways, Beckham is one of the celebrities who cemented the intersection of style, sports, and menswear.
WHO: Lewis HamiltonWEAR: Dior Sunglasses, Sweater, Sweatpants, Mini Gallop Sling Bag ($2900), and B9S Skater Sneaker ($1500). The historical precedence of men in sports with great style has continued on in the form of new-age icons like Lewis Hamilton. Known for serving 'fits, the F1 driver has been spotted donning all the high-end designers from time to time—including the more recent head-to-toe Dior look he wore to race day in Jeddah. Styled with a matching mini bag, the look proved how speedily this trend has taken over.
WHO: James HardenWEAR: Louis Vuitton Shearling Down Blouson ($11200), Jeans, and Keepall Bandoulière 50 ($11400). While there's no shortage of style icons coming off the racetracks of soccer fields, if we're honest, no other sport in history has been as closely associated with high fashion as basketball. We can trace the intersection of these two industries not just to the NBA popularizing "tunnel style" but even to the rise of sub-fandoms around sneakers, specific designers, and so on. Without basketball, the popularity of so many fashion trends would be moot, making it all the more essential to look to this crowd for what's coming next. Without a shred of doubt, the trend that's currently a slamdunk is handbags—as they've been spotted on everyone from LeBron James to Dwyane Wade to James Harden.
WHO: Telfar Clemmens. By now, I've hopefully thoroughly convinced you that handbags aren't just for girls but also for boys. As we've seen, this accessory claim space on the runway and within the closets of the celebrity set. But I'd be remiss if I didn't pay homage to one of the men who got us to this point: Telfar Clemmens. Although not an actor or athlete, the fashion designer's work has reached the same level of fame. One could argue that the rise in popularity of the Telfar Shopping Tote a few years back set the stage that many male celebrities now carry their handbags across. Although it's a designer label, Clemmens' bags have always been about democratizing fashion. For him, fashion is not something to be relegated to one gender, race, or type of person; it's for everybody. His work embodies what this trend is all about on a deeper level: finding freedom in the "frivolity" of fashion.
