Monday, February 12, 2024

Celebs Are Loving This Under-The-Radar Handbag Brand & We Want In

When Taylor Swift sings, the world listens, but when she's spotted with a new beau, it practically melts down. Last fall, the singer was photographed holding hands with Travis Kelce for the first time, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was an image that launched a thousand news articles — especially with their recent canoodling at the Super Bowl.

Personally, when looking at the image, I found myself drawn to her other hand, which was holding some arm candy of its own in the form of an asymmetric black shoulder bag. (I'm a fashion editor, after all, so accessory adoration comes with the territory.)

Swift's carryall for the evening was courtesy of the relatively new accessories label Aupen. The under-the-radar brand only launched in October 2022m and, as it stands, currently has around 46k followers on Instagram. However, don't let that fool you. Aupen already has quite an impressive list of celebrity clientele — including Gabrielle Union who was spotted with the brand's Purpose Deluxe bag this weekend at Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl party.

Over the last year, Aupen's signature asymmetrical bags have been seen slung over the shoulders of everyone from Selena Gomez to Alix Earle, Hailey Bieber, and more. Not to mention, Kylie Jenner, Ashley Park, Karlie Kloss, and Olivia Rodrigo have also been spotted toting the brand's accessories.

Of course, given the sheer number of celebrity endorsements, you wouldn't be remiss to assume that Aupen's accessories come with an equally celeb-worthy price point. However, the prices aren't as eye-watering as you'd think. For example, the bag spotted on Mrs. Bieber (dubbed Purpose) retails for under $200, while Swift's latest accessory (Nirvana) is slightly higher at $340. So, not cheap by any means, but more modest than the usual designer price tags.

All of Aupen's products are also cruelty-free and made from vegan leather, which consists of circular, recycled materials (like recycled post-consumer polyester, for example).

If it's good enough for Taylor Swift, Gabrielle Union, et al., who are we to disagree? Keep scrolling to shop the exact Aupen bags spotted on celebrities.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

For more can't-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.
Gabrielle Union is clearly a major fan of the brand. In mid-September, the actress was seen carrying Aupen's Fearless Re-Edition Bag in a stunning shade of olive, while before that, she sported a white iteration of the brand's asymmetric bag.

Shop Aupen
Getty
And you could spot the beloved actress with Aupen's chic Purpose Deluxe in black at Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl party.

Shop Aupen

Shop Union's Bag


Shop Aupen

Aupen Fearless Re-Edition, $, available at Aupen

Shop Union's Bag


Shop Aupen

Aupen Purpose Deluxe, $, available at Aupen
Hailey Bieber has also been spotted carrying the original version of the asymmetrical shoulder bag spotted on Union several times. For example, she wore it with a silver strapless dress to the launch party for Rhode Skincare in the U.K. Proving its versatility, she's also worn the bag for more casual occasions.

Shop Aupen

Shop Bieber's Bag


Shop Aupen

Aupen Purpose, $, available at Aupen
Last fall, Taylor Swift made headlines carrying the Aupen Nirvana Bag while out with new beau Travis Kelce. Although this image was deemed newsworthy for other reasons, we had all eyes on the accessory. Interestingly, this was not the first time Swift was seen sporting an Aupen bag. The singer was also seen carrying this same style back last summer.

Shop AupenGetty Images

Shop Swift's Bag


Shop Aupen

Aupen Nirvana, $, available at Aupen
Selena Gomez is another star who has become a fan of Aupen, here she is spotted wearing the sparkle-adorned Purpose bag.

Shop AupenGetty
Evidently, Gomez is not the only celebrity who has been captivated by the sparkly Purpose bag. In this image, Ashley Park carries the exact same style.

Shop Aupen

Shop Gomez's and Park's Bag


Shop Aupen

Aupen Purpose Ice Bag, $, available at Aupen

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve With Heart Handbags

Taylor Swift’s Red Lipsticks Throughout The Eras

17 Tried-&-True Work Bags, From Totes To Backpacks

We’re Entering Our Office Siren Era — Here’s How To Style The Viral Trend

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission

Watch out business-core. There’s a new trend in town, and it’s a sultrier version of the office-wear look. Business-core graced our social media feeds last fall by introducing fresh takes on casual blazers and work trousers as well as professional accessories like neckties and work totes. Now, in 2024, the office siren look is spicing up business-core with a splash of feminine flair. Think fitted blouses tucked into neat pencil skirts that are paired with stockings, heels, and trendy handbags for a cool, confident corporate girlie look.

So, who exactly are we channeling, you might ask? With the obsession of Y2K styles, we’re looking to Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein’s fall 2000 collections as well as Gisele Bündchen’s chic office look in The Devil Wears Prada. Her uniform consisted of Bayonetta glasses, a fitted blazer over a button-down, and patent-leather bottoms. We’re also finding inspiration to the TikTok creators and street style stars of today, who add a bit more structure to blazers by opting for silhouettes that cinch the waist and experiment with accessories.

Join us as we kick off our work shoes, slide into some slingbacks, and grab our chain shoulder bags. Scroll ahead for a step-by-step guide on how to style the trend. Work hours are over, and the office siren is here to play.

Elevated “Work” Handbags

Work bags, but make it cute? Just kidding. The styles we picked won’t hold your 13-inch laptop, but they sure are cute and fit the vibe check. Take your pick among the soft leather messenger bags, trendy quilted shoulder ones, or chic underarm clutches — one of 2024’s most popular handbags. The styles might not work for your 9 to 5, but they’re suitable for work events and dinner dates.

Bayonetta Glasses

The signature point of the office siren aesthetic is Bayonetta glasses (named after the frame-wearing protagonist in the Japanese video game Bayonetta). Not only does this style add to the office ambiance, but it’s reminiscent of the soft-rimmed frames that Megan Fox, Jennifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie wore in the early 2000s. Meanwhile, both Billie Eilish and Doja Cat have recently donned Bayonetta glasses with their red carpet ‘fits at the Grammys

Fitted Blazers

Give your casual blazers a rest! Instead of the typical oversized look, try a more fitted style. The figure-hugging blazer is essential to the office siren uniform, as it really brings the sultry factor. Pair a sleek, tailored blazer or a double-breasted one with a button-down shirt. Aritzia’s Standout Blazer is a perfect example.

Pencil Skirts

When it comes to the office siren aesthetic, opt for a slim-fitting skirt rather than pants. We’ve carefully selected modern pencil skirts in shiny patent leather and vinyl fabrics. While you peruse these styles, envision Rachel Green’s multitude of office looks on Friends. She was truly a pioneer of the fashion-forward aesthetic, and her covetable wardrobe was filled with office siren staples.

Stockings/Sheer Socks

Pair stockings and socks in all different lengths and opacity to bring a feminine touch to your attire. These little accessories might seem easily overlooked, but they’ll tie your ensembles together into a professional ‘fit. They are here to complement. Plus, it never hurts to stock up on tights — we all know the struggle of an unexpected snag.

Kitten Heels/Low-Block Heels

You can’t forget the click-clack of heels against the floor. Slip into comfy rhinestone-embellished kitten heels and shiny silver-and-black colorblock styles for a fun take on the office siren aesthetic. A business professional ensemble can easily get stuffy, and these shoes bring a bit of pizzazz. Not to mention, the heels are extremely comfortable to wear because of their low height.

For more can’t-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

From "Argylle" To "Mean Girls," Argyle Is Back

How To Get Saltburn's Indie Sleaze Aesthetic

I Learned How To Be Bored Again

8 Jewelry Trends To Complete Your Outfit In 2024

With a new year bringing with it a bounty of bold fashion trends — denim gowns and mesh footwear, to name a few — it’s easy to overlook what’s happening with all things jewelry. Necklaces and earrings might be the last thing you put on when piecing together an outfit, but they’re certainly not the least part of the whole ensemble, especially as far as 2024’s trending styles are concerned. 

The spring/summer runways teased a y2k-meets-bohemian tone that will take center stage in the months ahead, and anyone who remembers the state of fashion in the early 2000s knows that accessories play an important role in perfecting this particular look. Body chains are back, as are belts that are more decorative than they are functional, shoulder-grazing earrings, and layers of beads and chains. For those who aren’t ready for this type of aesthetic comeback, there are other jewelry trends gaining steam, including floral chokers (resembling 2024’s popular blossom bags) and anklets. Below, we’ve rounded up the biggest and the best 2024 jewelry trends that’ll have you shining stylishly bright. 

Jewelry Trend 2024: Rosettes

170923 Simone Rocha SS24 London Fashion Week Credit: Ben Broomfield Credit Social: @photobenphoto Copyright: Ben Broomfield Photography 07734 852620 photo@benbroomfield.com www.benbroomfield.com

Three-dimensional florals will be in full bloom across the spring/summer 2024 fashion landscape with designers replacing patterns of petals with more dramatic takes on the motif. In the accessories department, there were floral headpieces, not-your-grandmother’s brooches and chokers at Chanel and rosettes of all kinds including necklaces, earrings, and belts at Simone Rocha and Blumarine. 

Jewelry Trend 2024: Anklets

With lots of high-fashion ankle activity happening thanks to designers such as Paco Rabanne and Miu Miu, there’s one shoe-adjacent jewelry trend in the mix that will be easy to incorporate into your 2024 accessories lineup: the humble anklet. Opt for something sleek and simple like Fendi’s gold, tubular styles, or glam things up with a pearly take on the trend, à la Simone Rocha.  

Jewelry Trend 2024: Oceanic Influence

In addition to the pops of oceanic blue favored by Bottega Veneta, Versace, and Ferragamo, designers like Collina Strada and Schiaparelli went diving deep for accessories inspiration. This resulted in chokers and large pendants made to look like starfish, lobsters, crabs, and other sea creatures. But if a giant necklace featuring a fish carcass is not for you, you can still dabble in the trend with significantly smaller charms and studs that pay homage to the ocean. 

Jewelry Trend 2024: Super Sized

If a giant fish carcass necklace is for you — or at least large accessories of an equally dramatic nature — expect to have fun leaning into all things oversized when it comes to 2024 jewelry trends. According to Pinterest’s annual trend prediction report, big, sculptural jewelry and “larger-than-life accessories” will be top of mind this year. 

Jewelry Trend 2024: Bows

The year 2024 will be all about bows. While a number of girly fashion trends have been gaining popularity in recent seasons, this particular adornment has been spotted everywhere from the runway (Balmain and Sandy Liang) to the red carpet (Olivia Rodrigo and Sydney Sweeney). Whether it’s a necklace, a hair clip, or a bracelet, tie up your favorite piece of jewelry with a ribbon for a very on-trend look. 

Jewelry Trend 2024: Chunky Silvers

James Cochrane

At The Attico, it was the necklaces. At Armarium and Valentino, it was the earrings. At Tory Burch, it was the bangles (with earrings getting an honorable mention, too). Big, beautiful silver jewelry had a major moment across the SS24 collections, and we expect to see more of the heavy metal popping up in the months ahead. 

Jewelry Trend 2024: Layered Necklaces

According to Chanel, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry, more is more when it comes to decorating the décolletage. Top designers are layering necklaces like it’s peak festival season, so we’re looking forward to a year’s worth of that kind of fashion fun in 2024. Get the look by pairing necklaces of varying thickness and lengths, and don’t be afraid to mix metals or add in something beaded (also a popular material on the SS24 runways). 

Jewelry Trend 2024: Standout Earring

No, that wasn’t a typo. A singular statement earring was embraced by the likes of Valentino, Prabal Gurung, and Gucci. But if wearing just one eye-catching piece will leave your face feeling half naked, try an asymmetrical pair as was done at Etro and Erdem instead for the same unique appeal but with no lobe left behind.  

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

2024 Non-Traditional Engagement Ring Trends

The Top 8 Handbag Trends For 2024

8 Denim Trends To Shop In 2024