You could be wearing trackies, but if you’re carrying an ‘it’ bag — a bag that instantly catches the eye of others in-the-know — your outfit will look deliberate. ‘It’ bags have the power to transform a Sunday morning coffee run outfit into a full-blown sartorial moment.
The Best Investment Bags Of 2026, According To maire claire:
- Best Convertible Bag: The Row Peggy, $5,000
- Best Top Handle Bag: Miu Miu Arcadie, $4,950
- Best Shoulder Bag: Prada Bonnie, $4,600
- Best Tote Bag: Chloe Paddington, $4,470
- Best Clutch Bag: Bottega Veneta Andiamo Clutch, $5,350
While we’re only a couple weeks into 2026, a few bags gaining traction among cool girls last year are emerging as frontrunners to hit it big this year. From the resurgence of Y2K icons, like the Balenciaga’s Le City and Chloe Paddington, to minimalist masterpieces, like the Peggy from The Row, these are all the bags we suggest you get in on now before the waitlists undoubtedly begin.
Read: The Australian Bag Brands Every Cool Girl Is Investing In
The Row Peggy
Much like founders Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, The Row is the epitome of effortlessly cool and intentionally exclusive, and the Peggy follows suit. Crafted from buttery Italian leather, its rectangular shape can be gripped as a classic clutch or worn over the shoulder with a detachable strap. The bag comes in black, muschio, burgundy and dark brown.
THE ROW
Peggy in Burgundy
THE ROW
Peggy in Muschio
Miu Miu Arcadie
Debuted in a June 2023 campaign with Gigi Hadid, the Miu Miu Arcadie still feels fresh today, with Emily Ratajkowski, Emma Watson and Laura Harrier all spotted wearing it in recent months. It comes in suede, leather and matelassé nappa leather, and in neutral, muted and bright colours. The bag also easily transitions from top-handle to crossbody via a detachable strap.
MIU MIU
Arcadie Tote Bag in Matelassé Caramel
MIU MIU
Arcadie Tote Bag in Brown
Prada Bonnie
A Prada bag is timeless, but among the range, the Bonnie is really having a moment. If you buy it, there’s a good chance it’ll be slightly different to everyone else’s — the bag comes in four sizes (mini, medium, large and extra-large), two materials (leather and suede) and a handful of colours including red, pewter and white.
PRADA
Bonnie Shoulder Bag in Medium Black
PRADA
Bonnie Shoulder Bag in Large Brown
Khaite Kye
Minimalist, ‘90s bags are trending right now, which explains the Kye’s meteoric rise. The bag comes in five styles, including Black Crackle Patent Leather, an Oxblood version and Natural Python-Embossed Leather, with each using 100% calfskin or a blend of calfskin and lambskin. They’re all made in Italy.
KHAITE
Kye Shoulder Bag in Burgundy
KHAITE
Kye Shoulder Bag in Paneled
Chloe Paddington
All the cool girls coveted the Chloe Paddington bag in 2005, and 20 years later, the heavy padlock is back. Seen recently on Daisy Edgar-Jones and Alexa Chung, the bag taps into our current obsession with fashion nostalgia. The bag comes in small or regular, and a handful of colours like chocolate brown, tapestry blue and flannel grey. It’s only available in one material: grained leather.
CHLOE
Paddington Tote in Black
CHLOE
Paddington Tote in Small Mustang Brown
Bottega Veneta Andiamo Clutch
‘Andiamo’ means ‘let’s go’ in Italian, and this bag, say its designers, embodies that on-the-move energy. While the Andiamo comes in four sizes — clutch, small, medium and large — the clutch is our pick for 2026. You can carry it by the top handle or tuck it under your arm like a baguette. It comes in suede, leather and ostrich.
BOTTEGA VENETA
Andiamo Clutch in Black
BOTTEGA VENETA
Andiamo Clutch in Barolo and Muse Brass
Toteme Belted Leather Tote Bag
A bucket bag is ideal for those who want to carry more than just a phone and keys — there’s usually enough room for a book to read on a commute or a makeup pouch. This version from Scandi brand Toteme comes in classic black Italian leather, as well as more statement styles like croco-embossed dark brown and pony hair leopard.
TOTEME
Belted Bucket Bag in Black
TOTEME
Belted Bucket Bag in Croc-Effect Dark Brown
Alaïa Le Teckel
Can you get a stronger endorsement than Margot Robbie, Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner and Rihanna all spotted wearing it? We think not. This bag by the French brand comes in classic styles, colours and materials, as well as more statement versions like merino shearling and leopard haircalf.
ALAIA
Le Teckel Shoulder Bag in Small Black
ALAIA
Le Teckel Shoulder Bag in Small Ivoire
Balenciaga Le City
The Le City became a 2000s icon after Mary-Kate Olsen was constantly photographed carrying her pastel green version around New York. Today, Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid have brought it back into the zeitgeist. Choose from sizes mini, small or medium, materials lambskin or waxed suede calfskin and 14 different colours.
BALENCIAGA
Le City in Small Stone Beige
BALENCIAGA
Le City in Mini Dark Emerald
Saint Laurent Mombasa
Yet another bag that taps into fashion’s current nostalgia moment, the Mombasa is official back, following its starring role in the brand’s Spring 2026 campaign. Originally designed by Tom Ford in 2002, the new edition retains the slouchy hobo shape but modernises the sculpted handle. While some versions feature the classic horn, a leather-wrapped handle is the fresh update.
SAINT LAURENT
Mombasa in Medium Vintage Leather
SAINT LAURENT
Mombasa in Medium Pony Hair Leather
In 2026, the short answer is yes. The Bottega Veneta Andiamo is widely considered a ‘modern classic’ and a safe investment in the current luxury market. While bags from brands like Chanel and Hermes are traditional investment staples, the Andiamo bridges the gap between a bag that’s ‘trendy’ and a ‘forever’ piece. Currently, it still holds exceptional resale value.
To make the Balenciaga Le City feel fresh today and avoid the 2005 ‘Nicole Richie at Coachella’ look, lean into the ‘Indie Sleaze’ revival, while still keeping the rest of your silhouette polished. In other words, don’t pair it with boho tunics and statement waist-belts.
Yes! The East-West bag is characterised by its elongated, horizontal silhouette, which is currently the dominant shape in bags. After years of tiny bags that could barely fit a phone, the East-West silhouette offers a compromise – it looks sleek under the arm, while the horizontal length allows for practical storage of essentials like your phone, sunnies and a wallet. The Alaïa Le Teckel is largely credited with reigniting this obsession. Many other fashion houses have released versions since.
