The Bag It Girls Carried 10 Years Ago Is in High-Demand Again

If you were to think back to some of the most iconic fashion items between 10 and 15 years ago, a few items would probably flash through your mind: Von Dutch caps, Ugg boots (worn with denim miniskirts, obviously), and the iconic Balenciaga Motorcycle “City” bag.
The latter style (designed in 2000 by Nicolas Ghesquière) hung on the wrist of every It girl from Paris Hilton to Lauren Conrad in the early and mid-2000s. Flash-forward to 2016 and the silhouette began resurfacing when Mary-Kate Olsen stepped out with it. Now it’s reclaiming its place as a certified must-have thanks to its inherently cool slouchy silhouette.
We actually caught up with Charles Gorra, CEO and found of Rebag, to back us up on the rise in the bag’s popularity. “This bag has been around for 18 years; it became a classic and then somewhat plateaued,” Gorra explains. “But since the graffiti print launched a few seasons ago, clients have been clamoring for it again.” That’s right: The City bag is now proving to be a best seller in 2019.
Keep scrolling to take a trip down memory lane with a few throwback snaps of celebs with the Balenciaga stunner. See see how fashion girls of today are styling the bag, and shop it for yourself along with other designer-handbag staples.
Lauren Conrad consistently embraced the bag like with this perfect winter outfit back in 2012.
Ashley Olsen showcased the iconic bag here in 2004 during New York Fashion Week.
Chanel Iman coordinated her outfit with a purple silhouette back in 2009.
Here, Lily Aldridge showcases the It graffiti style out and about in New York City.
The graffiti silhouette shines against a contrasting plaid suit like this fashion week–goer is highlighting.
Smaller iterations, including crossbody styles, are also popular right now; we’ve been seeing throughout fashion month.
Yet another recent photo of the must-have bag among the street style set.
Shop the It bag:
Now, shop more designer It bags:
Next, check out more It handbag styles to shop now.

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
-
10 Spring Outfit Ideas That Will Make Anyone Look Like a Fashion Person
Bring on the compliments.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
I Live in NYC—This Is the "It" Bag Every Fashion Person Is Wearing
A new favorite.
By Audry Hiaoui
-
Style Rut? I Have Something for That—33 Stellar Spring Picks From Nordstrom, Zara, and Madewell
I see chic outfits in your future.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
Got Taste? Then This Rising It Bag Should Be Your Next Purchase
Don't wait until everyone is carrying one this summer.
By Eliza Huber
-
This Is the It Bag Everyone With Expensive Taste Has Their Eye on Right Now
Elegant is an understatement.
By Allyson Payer
-
I Give It a Week Until Every Fashion Person in NYC Is Wearing This Under-$500 Designer Bag
It could be even less than that, though.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
There Are Bag Trends, and Then There Are Investment Bag Trends—That's What This One Is
Celeb approved.
By Allyson Payer
-
I Spent the Afternoon Scrolling Through Saks Off 5th—Wow, These Discounted Shoes and Accessories Are Very Chic
Sunglasses, bags, sandals, and more.
By Bobby Schuessler