This French Brand Started Quiet Luxury—See the Bags Everyone Wants to Carry

While the term "quiet luxury" may be a popular buzzword in 2023, it's not new to those in the fashion scene, and it's especially not new to designers that have been leaders in the minimal fashion aesthetic for years. Many names come to mind, but Phoebe Philo, the previous director of Celine, has our hearts forever. And although no one can do it like her, Hedi Slimane has also bestowed covetable Celine designs on us since taking over in 2016. They might be a little more logo-filled, but their clean and sleek lines make them ultra-chic. The brand has been synonymous with classic French style for years, and the fashion set doesn't seem to be letting go of their love for Celine anytime soon.

If you're ready to invest in a Celine bag, look no further. We've rounded up the eight best bags from the luxury brand's selection—old and new. Whether it's a 2010-era luggage tote or the more modern triomphe, a Celine bag should be next on your luxury wish list

1. Celine Classique Triomphe 

Created in 2018, the Triomphe bag takes the French brand's iconic log and updates it for everyday wear. Despite consumers gravitating away from logomania, the Celine Triomphe is an exception in 2023. Its timeless design and sleek hardware give it a top spot in the world of luxury handbags. 

Shop new:

Shop secondhand:

2. Celine Ava 

Released as part of Celine's S/S 21 collection, the Ava bag has become a core design for the French house. Its sleek crescent shape fits snugly underneath the shoulder. The bag is also a favorite of supermodel Kaia Gerber, a current face of the luxury brand.

Shop new:

Shop secondhand:

3. Celine 16 

Inspired by the Hôtel Colbert located at 16 Rue Vivienne in the second arrondissement of Paris, the 16 bag was designed by Hedi Slimane on his first day at Celine. It pays homage to the brand's history, bringing designs of Maison Celine to the modern era. It's gone through various iterations since then, and all of them have been big hits with celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber, and Lady Gaga.

Shop new:

Shop secondhand:

4. Celine Luggage Tote

When Philo debuted her first Celine collection, all eyes were on the luggage tote. It quickly became an It bag and was released in various colors and sizes soon after. While you can still buy the latest iteration of the bag on Celine's website, plenty of original Philo-era bags are available at secondhand sites like Rebag and Fashionphile.

Shop new:

Shop secondhand:

5. Celine Box Bag

Launched in 2011, Celine's Box Bag was another hit for Philo. In a time when a designer bag almost always had a logo, the Box bag was a breath of minimalistic fresh air. And despite being 12 years since its inception, the design still seamlessly blends into the 2023 fashion landscape, proving its timeless design.

Shop new:

Shop secondhand:

6. Celine Trapeze

In contrast to the Luggage tote, Celine's Trapeze bag feels more minimal and refined. With a top handle, wide side wings, and a front flap, it has an understated appeal that led to its success. It's been discontinued, but plenty of options are available on secondhand sites. 

Shop secondhand:

7. Celine Belt Bag

Philo's minimalist aesthetic continues with the Belt Bag, which she designed in 2014. More refined than the Luggage tote, it's known for its knotted belt that ties underneath the front flap and spacious interior.

Shop new:

Shop secondhand:

8. Celine Tabou

Shop new:

Shop secondhand:

Next, Watches Are *the* Jewelry Item of 2023—Every Timepiece Trend to Note This Year

Explore More:
Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.