It Seems More And More Prominent Men Are Having Fun With These Handbags, Integrating Them Into Their Fashion Choices In New And Progressively Bolder Ways.
Although designer handbags have long been a staple in women’s fashion, men’s fashion was initially slow on the uptake, eventually motivated by fashion icons like Pharrell Williams and the late Virgil Abloh. Some celebrities, like Drake, say they’re collecting bags for future partners they don’t have — and then giving some to fans at concerts, or storing them away where they’ll never be seen. But others are finally getting in on the trend for themselves, defying gender norms and rightfully flexing their outrageously beautiful purses.
In theory, bags are a delightful, gender-less pit to fill with whatever your heart desires. But on a deeper level, they’re also investments, trophies, and fashion statements. And, we think it’s silly to think the shape of an object determines what gender it belongs to. Seeing purses as a tangible token of wealth as opposed to an inexplicably gendered accessory might explain why so many hip-hop artists originally gravitated to the trend, with Snoop Dogg, JAY-Z, Cardi B, and Gunna.
Our final take? Designer handbags are for everyone with the bank account to enjoy them. Read on to see how men celebrities are rocking their purses like never before.
Although you 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. We’ve never been more convinced about one trend that speaks to what’s happening in the culture than all of the male celebrities who have been carrying designer handbags. To prove our point, we’ve done a deep dive to explain how this trend came to fruition by showing its presence in real life of celebs. If there’s any phenomenon that’s sure to continue to define this period, it’s male purses, period.
1. LEWIS HAMILTON
DIOR MINI GALLOP SLING BAG
The presence of men in sports with great style has continued on with new-age icons like Lewis Hamilton. Known for serving fits, the Formula One driver has been spotted donning all the high-end designers, including the head-to-toe high-end branded look. Styled with a matching mini bag, this look proved how speedily this trend has taken over.
2. DAVID BECKHAM
GOYARD PALACE MM TRUNK BAG
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 who have challenged how we categorize men’s fashion, including the one and only David Beckham. A man who knows how to accessorize; that could be because he is married to one of the most popular fashion designers in the world! 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.
3. CHARLES MELTON
PRADA BRIQUE SAFFIANO LEATHER BAG
Oh, you thought men wearing bags couldn’t get better? Think again. When it comes to proving just how ubiquitous this trend has become, one only merely needs to look to the trend’s adoption by one of Hollywood’s favourite actors: Charles Melton. While the world may finally be giving this talented actor the accolades he deserves—as he’s always been a star in books. Purely on his ability to pull off a purse, he should be one in yours too.
4. BAD BUNNY
GUCCI JACKIE 1961 SMALL SHOULDER BAG
Let the record show that Hollywood’s coolest men love their handbags because Bad Bunny has entered the chat! If you can recall, the musician went viral last year 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, and we attribute more mental space to the ensemble he wore during fashion week. Afterall, Bad Bunny gets what we really want to see: him and the Gucci Jackie 1961 Shoulder Bag.
5. JACOB ELORDI
LOUIS VUITTON SPEEDY P9 BANDOULIÈRE 40
Another male celebrity whose paparazzi shots have gone viral after he was seen carrying the season’s hottest handbags? Jacob Elordi! While the actor may be most beloved for his roles in Kissing Booth, Euphoria and Saltburn; the fashion crowd loves him because of his bag collection. Spotted with everything from The Row’s Half-Moon Shoulder Bag to Louis Vuitton’s Speedy. And we feel this man’s bags are almost as cool as him.
6. A$AP ROCKY
LARGE ANDIAMO BOTTEGA VENETA BAG
Lately, luxury brands have started partnering with male celebrities to make the “man bag” trend a cultural phenomenon. Recently, Bottega Veneta partnered with the rapper A$AP Rocky to take the celeb’s street style paparazzi photos and transform them into a brand campaign—it went instantly viral. As he’s an artist who’s been cemented as a style icon because of his ability to take risks, it only made sense after spotting him donning the most coveted Bottega Veneta bag of the moment in pink.
