Love is in the air. To know Cupid’s in action, just a mere recollection of recent events will do. Longtime married couple Victoria and David Beckham made a statement by stepping out for dinner in New York City, looking as suave as ever amid public opinions of the Beckham documentary. We’re also seeing plenty public displays of affection (yes, we’re looking at dearest Miss Jenner and current beau Mr. Chalamet), the unabashed use of fashion campaigns to announce togetherness, and swirling rumours of a ‘will they, won’t they’ situation between a certain The Bear actor and the Spanish pop star he’s been seen shopping for flowers with. Of course, there’s also Taylor Swift fast-tracking her now-official relationship with Travis Kelce.
In the latter’s case, her way of making a very public statement was arriving hand-in-hand with the pro footballer for a post-SNL bash in New York City. But being the eagle-eyed, fashion-obsessed personnel we are, we were hard pressed not to notice how she kept her other hand occupied: with one very covetable handbag from Brooklyn-based and Singaporean-led brand Aupen. As the Eras Tour singer made her way through the streets that evening—wearing a Versace corset, her classic red lip and the rising It-bag in hand—the deal was sealed. Swift was now a loved-up girlie.
Whilst we may not all be predisposed to a paparazzi-making moment every time we’re en route to meet a potential lover, there’s no saying that we can’t be made to feel as powerful as Swift did in that very moment. For if we all had an equally sumptuous form of arm candy in tow, surely nothing else should get you down. As long as it has ample space for the essentials—think your trusty red bullet, your smartphone and some sanitiser perhaps—the statement is all yours to make.
Whether the brief is bold, flirty and audacious for a year-end fling or it’s all business as you head out to meet the one of your dreams, here’s a curation of the most date night-worthy bags to tote to your next rendezvous. And if the date goes south? Know that there would be only one thing to hold onto tightly before you hit the road.
12 / 22
Bottega Veneta mini Sunrise shoulder bag, $2,730
Available at Bottega Veneta.
18 / 22
Charles & Keith chain-embellished bag, $169
Available at Charles & Keith.
