I Just Got Back From Miami and Saw People Wearing the Same Under-$400 Bag as Me
There's nothing more validating than when you see someone incredibly stylish wearing something that you just purchased. That happened to me while walking down the streets of the Design District in Miami. There's a new bag brand on the scene called Aupen, and it's still in its IYKYK era, meaning I only spot fashion insiders wearing it. After Taylor Swift picked up its Nirvana bag while styling a wedding guest ensemble, it's been everywhere. I picked it out in red for my trip, and I clearly wasn't the only person in the stylish city wearing it.
I love investing in a designer bag, but with the prices rising season after season, I simply don't care to keep up anymore. It feels like you have to be willing to shell out multiple months of New York City rent to be the owner of an It bag these days, with the prices being upwards of $5000. Since this cool-girl brand comes in at under $400 and has already been worn by all of my favorite celebrities—like Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Olivia Rodrigo, and so on—my heart skips a beat. Let's discuss the bags by Aupen that are currently on my radar.
The Fearless Bag
My most worn Aupen bag happens to be the Fearless. It fits everything I need for a Saturday in New York City.
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The Nirvana Bag
The bag I mentioned seeing around Miami happens to be this exact one. When Swift wore it on a date with Travis Kelce, it sold out fast. It's back, so I'd act now.
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The Miracle Ice Bag
While I usually prefer champagne on ice, a bag on ice is quite nice too. This sparkly number made its way onto Gomez's arm for a wedding guest ensemble and her trip to Paris.
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The Purpose Bag
The best way to dress up a minidress is with a bit of fringe. The Purpose bag was one of the first in my collection, so I love the classic black rendition as well.
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The Joy Bag
One of the latest additions to Aupen's roster of bags is called Joy. I'm a longtime lover of slouchy bags, and this is most definitely the Gen Z version.
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Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of experience in the fashion industry to the editorial team. Since joining Who What Wear in 2021, Sierra has made her mark by expertly blending luxury and accessible fashion content. Whether she's decoding the latest runway presentations or crafting a perfectly curated shopping list, Sierra's keen eye and relatable approach have solidified her as a trusted voice in the fashion space. She's also reported on major industry events like Paris Fashion Week and lent her expertise to red carpet coverage, ensuring her audience gets an insider's view of the most glamorous moments in style. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. Her ability to translate editorial expertise into viral social media content sets her apart, seamlessly bringing her articles and personality to life for a new generation of readers and followers. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra brings a unique perspective to the fashion industry that is informed by her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.