Key Takeaways
- Vanity cases are one of the moment’s top handbag trends, with their structured style and unexpected repurposing making for a surprisingly practical statement piece.
- Brands like Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Brahmin have offered fresh takes on the trend, featuring details like metallic accents, woven finishes, and statement shades.
If anything has dominated handbag trends over the past year or so, it’s creativity and unexpected details. Bag charms and Labubus are everywhere, retro-futurist silhouettes like east-west are on the rise, and even basics like nylon bags and canvas totes have gotten a hyper-customized new life. As fall gets into full swing, it turns out that one of the season’s buzziest bags isn’t a traditional purse at all.
Enter the vanity case: It’s an unexpected yet practical solution for holding all your daily essentials in style, and a wide range of celebrities and brands have already co-signed the phenomenon. Ahead, learn all about this fall’s most fun yet accessible handbag trend, from the tastemakers who have adopted it to styling tips and several standout picks to shop.
The History of Vanity Cases
For as long as people have been using cosmetics, they have been finding ways to store them. Archaeologists have discovered ancient cedar boxes that pharaohs and other elites used to store ointments, perfumes, and mirrors, dating back to at least 1000 BC. In the 14th century, the French “Nécessaire de Voyage” containers allowed for a practical yet luxurious way to transport travel essentials.
Vanity cases were initially primarily for men, but this began to shift in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when masculine style became less elaborate and decorative at the same time as women were gaining more societal freedom. The kits became sleeker and more portable, and jewelry houses like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels began designing luxurious versions with mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, and precious stones.
While hard-sided jewelry boxes and vanity cases still exist, softer, top-handle styles also became more common over the course of the 20th century, usually in leather and often featuring metallic accents, quilting, or a croc effect, and/or a longer, removable strap. This type of vanity case is much closer to a traditional handbag than its predecessors, allowing it to dominate today’s trend.
About the Trend
Vanity cases as handbags have been on the rise over the past two years or so, becoming the latest tiny It bag to hit the scene. Loro Piana’s Extra style was a particularly popular choice during the peak of quiet luxury, with stars including Sofia Richie Grainge and Gigi Hadid carrying the understated, neutral design.
@sofiagrainge / Instagram / Getty Images / Byrdie
As fashion has shifted towards a more maximalist style, the vanity cases trend has followed suit. Jenna Ortega carried a logo-covered Dior style at Paris Fashion Week, and versions featuring woven finishes, hardware, and vivid hues have been on the rise. Top brands, including Hermès, Valentino, and Louis Vuitton, offered fresh takes on the silhouette on the fall 2025 runways, featuring timely elements like chained charms and chocolate brown suede.
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Crossbody styles and slimmer shapes are making the case for the sophisticated, structured vanity case as the next evening bag du jour. What’s more, the design is as practical as it is pretty (that is, with the exception of ultra-tiny takes on the statement), as most versions have sturdy zippers and organized space to hold your go-to lip products.
How to Style
The structured sides and top handle give vanity cases a sophisticated, nostalgic feel, so they’re great to pair with your most put-together seasonal favorites. A trench coat, bodysuit, straight leg jeans, and pointed-toe boots are ready to be your go-to fall office outfit formula, and swapping your work bag for a repurposed cosmetics design is an ideal way to transition your look for happy hour or a low-key dinner.
@brahmin / Instagram
Alternatively, the silhouette works well alongside evening looks, so consider having it accompany your ensemble for a night at the ballet, theatre, or concert. (Just make sure the dimensions fit any venue guidelines.) More maximalist styles can serve as a statement bag for formal events and wld nights out alike.
@donnaromina / Instagram
To take the bag to the next level, consider adding a bag charm or two. Be it a Labubu, gold chain, or a jewelry-adjacent style, this can help you channel a more playful, edgy, or luxurious vibe.
Standout Vanity Cases to Consider for Your Next Handbag
Ready to give this unconventional yet surprisingly logical handbag trend a try? Since vanity cases have been around for ages, your options are already limitless—and the latest designs (including bags inspired by the category) put the silhouette’s fashion potential center stage. Below are just a few of the styles on offer, ensuring there are options to fit any budget or aesthetic.
