Thanks to the celebrities who know they’ll be photographed on their way to the airport, “airport fashion” has become a huge thing, where we look to our favourite stars for style inspiration that is comfortable yet stylish enough to make a statement, no matter which part of the world you’re headed to.
And now, even if we’re not making travel plans any time soon, these fashion inspos are still going to serve us well on off-duty days – whether we’re heading out for after-work drinks with colleagues or weekend meet-up with friends.
In general, most celebrities, particularly K-celebs, sport newly-launched bags at the airport, so you’ll also know these are the ones to snag if you want to be at the forefront of the latest fashion trends.
If you are looking to invest in a new handbag or simply want to switch up your wardrobe, go ahead and take a leaf out of these top male and female celebrities’ books – there is a good mix of well-known international designer and indie brands!
Female celebrities’ IT bags
1. BLACKPINK’s Rose: Saint Laurent Niki
You may be quite familiar with the Niki, given that it was first released in Saint Laurent’s Spring 2018 campaign featuring supermodel Kate Moss. It has been pretty successful ever since, worn on the shoulders of the rich and famous, including Rose of famous K-pop girl group BLACKPINK.
Featuring distressed aged leather and brushed gunmetal hardware, this is a chic and durable option for an everyday bag. It is spacious enough to fit an iPad and/or a very small personal laptop, as well as a book, full-sized wallet, keys, and more.
You can get this bag at S$3,415.05 in Saint Laurent Boutiques and on Nordstrom.
2. BLACKPINK’s Lisa: Prada Large Woven Motif Shoulder Bag
BLACKPINK’s Lisa has been sported with Prada’s newest addition, a shoulder bag with large interwoven detail and a single top handle that you can juggle between carrying it as a handbag or shoulder bag.
While suitable for everyday use, we love how Lisa is using this to complete her jet-setting look – it looks just like she’s carrying a very stylish woven basket bag to her beach holiday!
You can get this bag at S$4,350 in Prada boutiques and on Farfetch.
3. IU: Gucci 1955 Horsebit Leather Satchel
In a nod to Milan Fashion Week (which she was headed to), IU was dressed in vintage fashion and completed the look with Gucci’s 1955 Horsebit Leather Satchel.
The heritage bag is given an equestrian-inspired style twist with the gleaming horse-bit hardware and features an angular silhouette with rolled top handles.
You can pair this with almost any outfit, be it with a blouse and jeans or formal workwear, making this a great choice to bring along on your travels if you want a bag that goes well with any clothes you’ve packed along.
You can get this bag at S$3,713.31 in Gucci boutiques and on Nordstrom.
4. Park Min Young: TOD’S Multicolour Crossbody in Leather Micro
If you are looking to buy a designer handbag that will never go out of style, check out Park Min Young’s Multicolour Crossbody in Leather Micro. The leather bag is fastened by a flap and Tod’s T Monogram buckle accessory, with a handle and an adjustable and removable strap.
You’ll find that this bag is very versatile and timeless: you can carry this to brunch or work, regardless of your age.
We recommend keeping your outfits simple (but stylish!) when you’re carrying this bag out, much like how Park Min Young tones it down with monotone beige and blacks – this not only focuses the attention on your beautiful bag, but also makes you look more sophisticated and modern.
You can get this bag in Tod’s boutiques.
5. Oh Yeon-seo: OSTKAKA Lycka Bag
OTSKAKA is a new designer brand from South Korea, and it has been stealing the hearts of many fashionistas all over the world for its unique knot design on bucket bags.
You may be spoiled for choice by the varieties of knot bucket bags that the bag offers, but if you had to pick just one, go for the Lycka Bag, a signature that even the celebrities adore.
While Oh Yeon-seo’s white Lycka Bag doesn’t seem to be available for sale (we’re guessing it may be exclusively made for her), it is available in other beautiful colours, such as black, burgundy, and green.
You can get this bag in other colours at S$157.10 on Sift & Pick.
6. Han Ye-seul: Fendi Peekaboo X-Lite Medium
For those who carry their entire life in their handbags, tiny bags and purses just don’t cut it – but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style in exchange for practicality.
Take Korean actress Han Ye-seul as an example: she brought Fendi’s iconic Peekabo X-Lite Medium along to Milan Fashion Week and managed to make the airport look like her very own runway!
This lovely bag is made of black calf leather with a red leather lining and gold-finish metalware is a top choice if you need a handy bag that can carry all your essentials, withstand the test of time, and instantly make you look like a top model – what’s there not to love?
You can get this bag in Fendi boutiques.
7. Irene Kim: Joy Gryson Claire Lux Cross Bag
Top Korean-American model Irene Kim has probably seen it all when it comes to fashion items, and her top pick of this year appears to be a simple crossbody bag from Korean brand Joy Gryson.
The structured leather bag comes in a variety of colours like Ivory, Steel Navy, and Dark Green, but here’s a tip for us: choose Camel (pictured here on Irene) or Bordeaux (burgundy red) if you want to look every bit as fashionable as the top Korean celebs and influencers!
You can get this bag at KRW398,000 on Joy Gryson’s website.
8. Red Velvet’s Joy: Michael Kors Cece Medium Leather Shoulder Bag
Thisbag from Michael Kors’s Spring 2020 collection is designed for jet-setters to use on any occasion and in any location, which is little wonder why we see Red Velvet member Joy carrying this at the airport as she goes off to her overseas schedule.
The Cece leather shoulder bag is crafted from smooth leather in a fold-over silhouette with a lock-and-key detail, making this an elegant accessory that you must have. You can either carry it by the chain-link handle (just like Joy) or the detachable strap.
You can get this bag in other colours from S$619 onwards in Michael Kors’s boutiques.
9. Red Velvet’s Yeri: Marhen.J Rico II Jester Red
If you haven’t already heard, Marhen.J is growing in popularity as the ultimate IT bag that both male and female celebs are obsessing over.
Well-known for simple and minimalistic designs, MARHEN.J’s bags are meant to be practical yet stylish enough so that you can carry them at any occasion, be it work or play.
This Rico design is a classic that propelled the brand to fame among the fashion-forward, and most people love the Jester Red colour for its vibrant and modern design.
You can get this bag at S$147.50 on Sift & Pick.
10. Lee Yubi: JOSEPH & STACEY Lucky Pleats Crossbag Ecru Beige
Forget conventional handbags: this leather pleats bag with a drawstring clostute from JOSEPH & STACEY is a quirky accessory that you definitely want to be seen with.
You can use this as a tote bag, shoulder bag, or even crossbody bag – the options are endless!
You can get this bag at S$484.87 on W Concept.
11. Hyuna: KOIMOOI Mini Nana Bag
It seems that bucket bags are going to be in style for a very long time, but if you want a fun twist on the conventional bucket bag, look to celebrities like Hyuna, who is well-known for making one-of-a-kind fashion statements.
This small size leather bucket bag with metal eyelets has been frequently spotted on celebrities, especially when they’re headed to the airport. We reckon the cute and tasteful design has a huge part to play, alongside the fact that it has a sizeable storage capacity to keep everything you need.
You can get this bag at S$324.24 on W Concept.
12. Son Dam Bi: MCM Neo Milla Tote in Park Avenue Leather
Celebrity Son Dam Bi has been seen with MCM’s new take on the Milla – this version features a winged shape with more space for staying organized when you’re on the move.
If you just need a cute handbag to keep your phone, get the small-sized one as seen on Son Dam Bi, or opt for the medium size if you need more storage space.
You can get this bag in MCM boutiques.
13. Jessica Jung: Loeuvre Sac De Lumiere Shoulder Bag
You can definitely look to former girl group member and fashion designer Jessica Jung (who has her very own accessories brand) for the most trendy fashion choices.
We love this cow leather bag that she chose to bring along to the airport – the suede texture and point of six edges detail makes this a fun choice that even the most discerning fashionistas can’t find fault with.
You can get this bag at S$394.05 on W Concept.
14. Honey Lee: Salvatore Ferragamo Studio Gancini Buckle Tote
It doesn’t take a pageant winner to pull off this vintage piece, but anyone would agree that Miss Korea 2006 Honey Lee looked extremely dapper with this doctor’s bag in hand.
Featuring top handles, a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap, a front flap pocket with zip fastening, as well as the signature Gancio buckle, the Salvatore Ferragamo Studio Gancini Buckle Tote is the bag that every professional lady needs.
You can get this bag at S$2,707 in Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques and on Farfetch.
Male celebrities’ IT bags
15. BTS’s V: Leica Leather System Case (Small)
V from popular boy band BTS opted to use a Leica camera bag as his travel bag of choice at the airport, which we’ve rarely seen other celebrities attempting. Fashion is all about being creative and breaking the rules, which is why we would absolutely give this fashion choice a thumbs-up.
This bag can contain a compact or mirrorless camera and a few small camera accessories, but you can also use it as a crossbody bag to keep your phone, passport, and wallet.
In addition, the structured body and textured leather give this gender-neutral bag a vintage feel that both men and women can pull off.
You can get this bag at US$299 (around S$413.85) on B&H.
16. BTS’s Jin: Thom Browne Pebbled Leather Mr. Thom Bag
Instead of settling for traditional and boring briefcases, men (and women!) who are looking for a bag that can fit important documents and an electronic tablet for an overseas business trip can consider the famous Mr. Thom Bag, as seen on BTS’s Jin.
The structured bag boasts polished brass hardware and pepper grain leather, as well as a Thom Browne Leather Luggage Tag and Signature Grosgrain Leather Key Pocket that will keep your valuables safe, which is especially important when you’re travelling.
You can get this bag at S$8,140 on Farfetch.
17. ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo: Samsonite RED CARLOW L Bag
The Samsonite RED CARLOW L Bag is a practical, no-frills option that anyone would love, but don’t mistake it for just another ordinary backpack: this one actually incorporates a large waterproof pocket (for wet clothes and umbrellas) with various pockets and organisers, so you can take this on your daily commute or even on hikes if you wish.
You can get this bag at S$250 in Samsonite boutiques and on Zalora (at S$175, discounted at the time of publication).
18. Lee Jae Hoon: Calvin Klein Campus Backpack 45
Actor Lee Jae Hoon’s travel bag of choice is a trendy yet timeless Calvin Klein Jeans Campus Backpack.
Fitted with a padded laptop sleeve and dual zip closure, you’ll find this a convenient and stylish choice for work and travel, and chances are that it will be hardy enough to last you throughout college and remain your go-to even on your first job!
You can get this bag at S$299 at Calvin Klein retailers. Zalora also has a similar version at S$299.
19. Kim Jae Wook: FIND KAPOOR Lekoo Bag H 28 Lettering Line Set – Black
From young idols in their early 20s to seasoned actors in their 40s, FIND KAPOOR’s Leeko Bag has established itself as a must-have among the trendy crowd.
The synthetic leather bag with a detachable shoulder strap and magnetic clasp is the epitome of ‘less is more’, keeping the design as minimalistic as possible without sacrificing quality and durability.
You can get this bag at U$224 on FIND KAPOOR’s website.
20. Kang Daniel: Givenchy Tote Bag 2WAY
If structured bags look too stuffy, this Givenchy tote will do just the trick.
The relaxed black leather keeps it casual enough so that you can carry it to dinners with friends, but formal enough to be used as a work bag as well.
Tip: Carry it as a shoulder bag to work, and use it as a tote bag when paired with more casual outfits!
You can get this bag in Givenchy boutiques.
21. EXO’s Chanyeol: Dior Saddle Bag
Dior’s Saddle Bag is arguably the brand’s most famous style, which is why we’re not surprised that celebrities like EXO’s Chanyeol are huge fans of it.
The unique crossbody silhouette, coupled with an adjustable ‘Christian Dior’ strap contrasted with an industrial-inspired aluminium buckle, is an eye-catching fashion accessory that will turn heads – all while keeping your belongings safe and sound.
You can get this bag in Dior boutiques.
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