The Fashion Girls Have Spoken: There’s A New It-Bag
Every season, a handful of bags join the coveted ‘chosen list’ amongst the fashion set, and this year there’s one piece that has a chokehold over the sartorially-inclined. Since taking the helm at Chanel back in 2024, Matthieu Blazy has catapulted the brand back into the fashion zeitgeist, with a fervour erupting around his runway offerings and, more specifically, accessories.
Last season, it was the Oversized Maxi Flap Bag, spotted on chic A-listers and across the Upper East Side. Now, it’s all about the latest iteration of the house’s recognisable Chanel 25 Mini. Debuting at The Métiers d’art Collection, the leopard print piece has been spotted on A-listers – think: Dua Lipa & Hailey Bieber – and fashion creators alike, earning it the title of 2026’s First It-Bag.
Distinguished by Chanel’s signature chain strap, drawstring fastening, side flaps, gold hardware, contrast deep red lining, and an eye-catching print, this bag is likey so beloved because it ‘is’ the outfit.
Perhaps of the main reasons for this bag’s widespread appeal is its counter-intuitive versatility. Teamed with monochrome staples, the sleek print effectively serves as a neutral.
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If the Chanel design is out of your budget right now, we’ve rounded up a few similar styles you can shop for a fraction of the cost.
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