Top 5 It-Bags That Defined 2025
The 31st of December is marked prominently in red ink—and if you’ve been a regular reader of my blog, you already know exactly what that means. As the year winds down into its final, dazzling hours, it’s time that I publish my favorite article of the year to write: the annual round-up of it-bags. In case if you aren’t in the know yet, this is the moment when runways, street style, and social feeds collide, and the handbags that defined the past twelve months earn their place in fashion history (or, at least, my own personal archive). From quiet luxury icons that whispered their way into cult status to bold new silhouettes that dominated every arm from Paris to New York, 2025 gave us bags that both felt aspirational and wearable. Consider this your definitive edit—the five it-bags that defined 2025.
1. Chanel 25
If 2025 had a fashion uniform, the Chanel 25 Bag would definitely be a part of it. Introduced earlier this year, the bag quickly became a top seller for the House, with fashion girlies and influencers from all over the world racing to get their hands on one. Designed as a hobo-style shoulder bag, the Chanel 25 channels the brand’s timeless codes through a modern, relaxed silhouette. Diamond-quilted leather, a fluid shape, and the iconic interwoven shoulder strap give it an ease that feels perfectly in tune with the current shift towards practicality, whereas the iconic CC logo decorating both the front and the sides makes it unmistakably Chanel.
2. Saint Laurent Icarino Hobo
A natural evolution of the cult-favorite Icare Maxi tote introduced a few years ago, the Saint Laurent Icarino Hobo preserves the drama and oversized confidence of its predecessor while translating it into something far more wearable. The supple, slouchy leather is anchored by the bold Cassandre logo, striking a flawless balance between effortless chic and power dressing. It’s the kind of bag that instantly elevates even the simplest outfit, and judging by the endless stream of influencer styling moments dominating Instagram, it has more than earned its place as one of 2025’s most definitive it-bags.
3. Coach Kisslock Bag
From the very first moment the Coach Kisslock bag appeared on the brand’s SS25 runway, the verdict was unanimous: this was the it-bag of the season. And fashion was right. The vintage-inspired design—paying homage to an archival design from 1969—sold out as soon as it dropped on Coach’s website. And each subsequent restock followed the same fate, disappearing just as quickly and cementing Coach Kisslock’s it-bag status. Designed by Stuart Vevers, the Kisslock strikes a rare balance between nostalgia and modernity, with its sculptural frame and tactile closure giving it a distinct, collectible feel.
Read also: Top 5 Designer Bags That Ruled 2024
4. Chloé Paddington
The return of the Chloé Paddington might be the most emotionally charged fashion moment of the year. A true Y2K icon, the original Paddington was once synonymous with early-2000s excess—and its legendary weight. And for 2025, Chloé has reintroduced the beloved silhouette with a crucial update: it’s allegedly much lighter than its predecessor. The oversized padlock, soft leather, and slightly bohemian attitude remain intact, but the execution feels more refined, more wearable. Its comeback taps directly into fashion’s ongoing Y2K revival, offering longtime fans a nostalgic thrill while introducing a new generation to one of the decade’s most iconic bags.
5. Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Multicolor Nano Speedy
And of course, the list of 2025’s it-bags wouldn’t be complete without featuring a design from the most hyped collab of the year! Quite frankly, out of all the handbags released as part of Louis Vuitton’s latest collaboration with Takashi Murakami, the Nano Speedy emerged as the standout icon—and arguably the most sought-after bag of the entire collection. Playful, colorful, and instantly recognizable, it perfectly captures Murakami’s joyful aesthetic while showcasing LV’s mastery of iconography. Btw, if you haven’t managed to buy the Nano Speedy during the first LV x Murakami drop, no need to worry, as another Multicolor collection is coming in January 2026, and the Nano Speedy is included (I will be doing a full collection review when it drops, so keep an eye on the blog!).
