Oct 9, 2026

The Bags That Became Icons

Malcolm Ferguson
Multicolor Fendi baguette

It’s All in the Bag

If there is one accessory capable of changing an entire look, it is the handbag. On October 10, National Handbag Day celebrates the accessory that has become one of fashion’s most recognizable and personal objects. It is the piece you reach for every morning, the one you save for a night out, or the one you have been searching for long after you convinced yourself you had enough bags. A handbag can shift the mood of an outfit in an instant, turning even the simplest look into something with a point of view.

What makes the handbag so fascinating is how much it can reveal without saying a word. Its shape, size, material, and attitude can place it in a particular moment in fashion. Certain bags become closely associated with the people who carried them, while others seem to belong to no one era at all. They get passed down, rediscovered, collected, and brought back into rotation years later, proving that great design rarely has an expiration date. National Handbag Day is ultimately a celebration of that relationship between fashion and the things we choose to carry. It is a moment to appreciate the bags that have become part of our wardrobes, the pieces that have shaped fashion, and the ones still waiting to become part of someone’s story.

A Collection of Icons

What Goes Around Comes Around’s curated collection of vintage and pre-owned handbags brings together the pieces that make a bag worth remembering. Spanning different eras, the collection is filled with distinctive shapes, standout details, and styles that have continued to influence fashion long after they first appeared. There is something for every kind of handbag lover, from timeless pieces that work with almost anything to vintage finds that bring a little more personality to a look.

Part of the appeal is finding a bag that feels like it already has a story. A vintage handbag can bring the attitude of another era into a modern wardrobe, while a pre-owned favorite can take on a completely new life with the way you wear it. For National Handbag Day, the collection is a celebration of the bags that have earned their place in fashion and the ones you’ll want to carry next.

Brown LV Speedy

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton began with a simple idea that the art of travel deserved something extraordinary. Since 1854, the house has turned that vision into a world of iconic trunks, signature monograms, and designs that move beyond the moment, where a rich history meets a constant desire to reinvent the rules of luxury.

The Louis Vuitton Neverfull

Since its debut in 2007, the Louis Vuitton Neverfull has become a fixture in the luxury handbag world, striking a balance between everyday ease and the house’s unmistakable design codes. Its spacious shape and signature Monogram canvas have made it a wardrobe mainstay, while new colors, prints, and limited-edition interpretations continue to give the classic tote a life of its own.


SHOP

The Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag

Originally designed in the 1930s but fully embraced wholeheartedly in the 70s, Louis Vuitton's Speedy became the everyday bag for celebrities like Audrey Hepburn who requested the now iconic 25cm size. Its relatively lightweight and defined the idea of practicality for women on the go.



SHOP

Christian Dior

Christian Dior has a way of making fashion feel like fantasy, from the dramatic silhouettes of its couture beginnings to the pieces that have become icons in their own right. The Lady Dior, the Saddle Bag, and the house’s signature cannage pattern each tell a part of its story, carrying the kind of recognition that goes beyond a logo.

The Dior Saddle Bag 

The Dior Saddle Bag is, much like its name, is shaped like a horse saddle with an asymmetrical flap and bold “D” charm. Often cited as the most popular Galliano-era Dior bag, the Saddle made its first appearance in 1999 during Dior’s Spring/Summer 2000 ready to wear show. Created as a tribute to equestrian world, the bag was featured in a highly sexual campaign and was eventually catapulted to stardom thanks to its appearance on Sex and the City. 



SHOP

The Lady Dior Bag 

Designed by Gianfranco Ferre in 1994, the Lady Dior was originally named the Chouchou. After the bag was gifted to Princess Diana by the First Lady of France, Diana was seen carrying the bag everywhere. She would attend the Met Gala in 1996 with a mini version of the bag and made fashion history. The house of Christian Dior would eventually be renamed the Lady Dior in 1996, as a dedication to Diana. 





SHOP

Hermès

At Hermès, the bag is never just an accessory, it is the centerpiece of a look. The house has shaped some of fashion’s most iconic silhouettes, from the structured Kelly to the relaxed proportions of the Birkin, creating designs that have become coveted fixtures in wardrobes and collections around the world.

The Hermès Birkin

The Hermès Birkin was born in 1984 after a chance encounter between actress Jane Birkin and Hermès artistic director Jean-Louis Dumas inspired the idea for a spacious yet refined everyday bag. With its distinctive silhouette, meticulous hand assembly, and legendary exclusivity, the Birkin has become one of fashion’s most coveted designs, embodying a kind of luxury that extends far beyond the bag itself.


SHOP

The Hermès Kelly

First created in 1932 as the Sac à Dépêches, the Hermès Kelly found its place in fashion history when Grace Kelly made it her signature, eventually lending the bag her name. With its sculpted silhouette, signature turn-lock closure, and unmistakable presence, the Kelly remains a collector’s icon, offered in two distinct forms: the sharply structured Sellier and the softer, more relaxed Retourne.


SHOP

Chanel

Chanel handbags have become icons not simply for how they look, but for what they represent in fashion. The signature quilting, leather-woven chains, and ‘CC’ hardware have outlived countless trends, carrying Gabrielle Chanel’s vision into new generations while remaining a fixture of the modern wardrobe.

The Chanel Boy Bag

Edgy, structured, and youthful, the Boy Bag offered a fresh counterpoint to the timeless classic flap, quickly becoming a statement piece. Introduced by Karl Lagerfeld in 2011, the Boy Bag was inspired by Coco Chanel’s lover, Boy Capel. 





SHOP

The Chanel Classic Double Flap Bag

In 1955, Chanel namesake Coco Chanel created a bag with a shoulder strap for an added layer of convenience after she was tired of carrying her bags by hand. This style was named the 2.55, AKA the date of its creation: February 1955. In the 1980s, Karl Lagerfeld re-created the bag with the now iconic ‘CC’ turnlock closure on the front flap. 



SHOP

It’s a Bag’s World

Some bags are remembered for the moment they first appeared, while others become icons through the people who carry them and the stories they collect along the way. From the Louis Vuitton Speedy to the Hermès Birkin and Chanel Classic Flap, these designs have moved beyond their original purpose to become part of fashion history. National Handbag Day is a reminder that the right bag is never just about what you carry, but how it becomes a part of your personal style. And sometimes, the best find is one that has already lived a little life of its own.

More From the WGACA Blog
The Bags That Became Icons

The Bags That Became Icons

Celebrate National Handbag Day with a closer look at the vintage and pre-owned designer bags worth adding to your collection, from iconic house signatures to coveted finds that make every outfit feel like a statement.
Men’s Fall Fashion: Pre-Loved & Vintage Bags, Watches & Accessories

Men’s Fall Fashion: Pre-Loved & Vintage Bags, Watches & Accessories

Explore seasonal pre-loved luxury favorites for men with help from WGACA.
Classic Flap vs. Boy Bag: Which Pre-Loved Chanel Is Right for You?

Classic Flap vs. Boy Bag: Which Pre-Loved Chanel Is Right for You?

For someone considering a Chanel handbag, the question is less about which bag is universally better and more about which design fits their lifestyle, wardrobe and personal style.
The Season Belongs to Maroon

The Season Belongs to Maroon

Explore the season’s shift toward maroon, with fresh ways to style the shade, pair it with fall’s key colors, and find pre-owned luxury pieces that bring the trend into your wardrobe.
The Handbag Trends Defining NYFW: Maroon, Metallics and Florals

The Handbag Trends Defining NYFW: Maroon, Metallics and Florals

Explore the inescapable trends from NYFW and find your own inspiration with pre-loved styles from WGACA.
The Art of Fall Accessorizing

The Art of Fall Accessorizing

A fall guide to the accessories that define the season, from layered jewelry to textured scarves and hats that bring depth to everyday dressing.
Rachel Zoe Joins What Goes Around Comes Around as Style Director

Rachel Zoe Joins What Goes Around Comes Around as Style Director

Renowned stylist, designer and fashion authority Rachel Zoe joins WGACA as Style Director, bringing her iconic point of view to the world of vintage and archival luxury.

The Complete Guide to Rolex, Part 1 – Rolex Anatomy

The Complete Guide to Rolex, Part 1 – Rolex Anatomy

Explore the history and mechanics of the Rolex Watch, the most iconic timepiece in all of watchmaking, with an extensive multi-part series curated by WGACA.

The It Bag of the Month: The Saddle Bag

The It Bag of the Month: The Saddle Bag

Every month, WGACA will highlight an iconic bag that has cemented its place in fashion history. For September, we explore the history of the Dior Saddle.
A Guide to Existing and Discontinued Hermès Colors - Part 2: Vibrant Reds

A Guide to Existing and Discontinued Hermès Colors - Part 2: Vibrant Reds

A closer look at the shades that have shaped Hermès’ legendary style.
Game Day Style: How to Wear Your Team Colors with Vintage Luxury

Game Day Style: How to Wear Your Team Colors with Vintage Luxury

Channel your inner fashion icon on gameday with help from WGACA.

The Fall Handbag Forecast: The Trends to Watch

The Fall Handbag Forecast: The Trends to Watch

Discover the Fall handbag trends worth knowing, from structured silhouettes to rich textures, and find the styles that can instantly refresh your wardrobe.







Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the most iconic designer handbags of all time?

Some of fashion’s most recognizable handbags include the Louis Vuitton Speedy and Neverfull, the Dior Saddle and Lady Dior, the Hermès Birkin and Kelly, and the Chanel Classic Flap. Each has a distinct design history that has helped it remain relevant across generations.

2. What is the difference between vintage and pre-owned handbags?

Pre-owned handbags are previously owned bags from any period, including recent collections. Vintage handbags generally refer to designs from an earlier era, often around 20 years old or more. Both offer a way to discover designer pieces beyond current-season collections.

3. Where can you shop for authentic vintage and pre-owned designer handbags?

What Goes Around Comes Around offers a curated selection of vintage and pre-owned designer handbags from some of fashion’s most recognizable houses, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermès, and Chanel. Each piece offers an opportunity to discover an iconic design, a distinctive detail, or a style that feels personal.

4. Why should you consider buying a pre-owned designer handbag?

Shopping pre-owned opens the door to past collections, discontinued styles, and vintage designs that may no longer be available at retail. It also allows you to find a handbag with a history of its own while exploring a wider range of styles and price points.

The link to The Bags That Became Icons has been copied
Site Footer

About

Account

Customer Service

We're Always Buying Sell to us
What Goes Around Comes Around LLC is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with any of the brands we sell.
What Goes Around Comes Around LLC is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with any of the brands we sell.
© WGACA. All Rights Reserved.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.