8 Most Iconic Celine Bags for the Modern Cool Girl

If you’re looking for a new luxury purse, a Celine bag might be the perfect modern piece. The brand is known for a cool, minimalist aesthetic, with classic colors and clean lines. 

The brand’s most iconic bags were developed by Phoebe Philo in the mid-2000s and early 2010s. At the time, beauty editors held them as shining examples of the brand’s sleek minimalism. In the modern day, Hedi Slimane has imbued Celine with a new power by introducing a larger logo and embracing the fashion house’s history with designs inspired by the brand’s past. 

If you want your bags to feel a little vintage but not over-the-top, have a look at our selection of the best Celine bags, with both exciting recent designs and fashion house staples.

Best Celine bags overview:

• Best overall: Classique Triomphe Bag
• Best classic: Classic Bag
• Best old-school: NANO Luggage Bag
• Best large bag: NANO Belt Bag
• Best ‘90s-inspired: AVA Strap Bag
• Best sophisticated: Classique 16 Bag
• Best casual: MINI Vertical Cabas
• Best for summer: MEDIUM Triomphe Classic Panier 

How we chose the best Celine bags

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including style, size, material, and more to create a short list of the top Celine bags. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best Celine purse for each category.

Our picks for the best Celine bags

The Triomphe is the perfect bag to represent the Hedi Slimane era of Celine. It contrasts sleek lines and a minimalist vibe with bold hardware that has Celine fans polarized. The large, ultra-shiny Triomphe logo is a reimagining of the house’s ‘70s motif that’s inspired by the Arc the Triomphe. 

This unique combination of elements makes for a bag that looks fancy and luxurious but suits any occasion. It can elevate your casual, daily look or complement an evening outfit. Even though it looks small, reviewers raved that the classic size is surprisingly roomie. Thanks to the adjustable strap, it can be worn as a shoulder bag or crossbody.

Size: Classique (medium), college (small), teen (mini) | Shape: Box flap bag | Material: Calfskin, canvas, textile, crocodile | Original designer: Hedi Slimane

If you’re not a fan of showy logos, Celine’s bags from the Phoebe Philo era will be more to your liking. The Classic, sometimes referred to as the Celine Classic Box, features the same square, elegant shape as the Triomphe bag but with an understated rectangular closure replacing the oversized hardware. 

Functionally, the bags are similar, with several inner compartments and adjustable straps that make for a truly useful bag. It’s a truly elegant bag that doesn’t make its branding too obvious. That said, if you’re hoping for a bag that exudes luxury, the Classic might be too plain for its high price tag to be obvious.

Size: Medium, teen (mini) | Shape: Box flap bag | Material: Calfskin or lizard | Original designer: Phoebe Philo

This luggage bag stands out from the rest of the range with what is a busy design by Celine standards. It was one of Phoebe Philo’s original hits, worn by many celebs and fashionistas. 

This tote-style bag has a sturdy feel, with top handles, protective bottom stands, and a general heftiness that guarantees the safety of whatever is hidden inside. Its sizing runs large, especially when compared to Celine’s box bags. The Luggage’s most dedicated fans adore its look and functionality, although some consider it a relic of the early 2010s. 

Size: Nano (medium) or micro (large) | Shape: Tote | Material: Calfskin | Original designer: Phoebe Philo

The shape of the Belt Bag is reminiscent of the Luggage, but for the modern age – it’s hard to believe it was released more than seven years ago! This bag has the clean, sleek appearance that we’ve come to associate with Phoebe Philo’s Celine. 

Compared to other Celine bags, the Belt bags are surprisingly large – pay close attention to their dimensions when shopping. For example, the Mini could easily accommodate a robust list of daily essentials, tablet included. Even the Nano size can easily hold all of your daily must-haves. 

Despite the size, the Belt bag is more lightweight than Celine’s more structured bags. Our only disappointment is that, despite the name, this bag cannot be worn around the waist.

Size: Nano (small), micro (medium), or mini (large) | Shape: Flap bag | Material: Calfskin | Original designer: Phoebe Philo

With the Ava, Hedi Slimane leaned heavily into ‘90s bag styles. It’s an excellent choice considering the major resurgence that decade is having in modern fashion trends. Fashion meets function with this medium-sized bag, which features an easy-to-access zipper closure at the top and more than enough room for your daily essentials. That said, it only features one main compartment, so staying organized might be tough.

While this is a Slimane design, this classic version of the AVA keeps things subtle, with a small Celine Paris logo as the only noticeable brand marker. There are a few other versions out there, including a louder one with Triomphe hardware and one made of canvas.

Size: Medium or mini | Shape: Crescent | Material: Calfskin canvas, or suede | Original designer: Hedi Slimane

The structured 16 bag feels mature and sophisticated, so it’s a wonderful Celine bag to add to a professional outfit. This flap bag has a ‘60s-inspired design, with a belted effect and elegant hardware snap closure. It’s one of Celine’s most versatile bags, thanks to a large range of shades and sizes. 

Even the mini boasts multiple compartments to keep you organized! As some reviewers mentioned, however, the structured design can feel a little heavy, especially in larger sizes. It’s currently available in both natural and satinated calfskin. If you like the shiny look, just keep in mind that the satinated leather is less forgiving of scratches.

Size: Mini, small, medium, or large | Shape: Structured flap bag | Material: Natural or satinated calfskin | Original designer: Hedi Slimane

The Vertical Cabas bags from Celine offer a slightly different silhouette. They’re more casual compared to some of the brand’s pricier bags, with a design reminiscent of a shopping tote but smaller for that playful “miniaturized” feel. 

The Triomphe motif makes an appearance on this bag as a print on canvas, with the all-caps Celine logo printed in large white lettering. It’s a different take on logomania that we think is fun and chic.

This bag has top handles, but it also comes with an adjustable, removable strap for shoulder or crossbody carrying. It only has one main inner compartment, which could make it a little tough to stay organized.

Size: Mini, small, or medium | Shape: Open tote | Material: Canvas and calfskin | Original designer: Hedi Slimane

We think of Celine as a “city dweller” brand, but the Panier bags in the range add a taste of the seaside. They still sport Celine’s large Triomphe logo but in a more casual way as a leather applique. Most of the Panier bags are on the larger side, with just a single inner compartment that’s the perfect size to hold a beach towel, swimsuit cover, and even a few snacks. 

The Celine Panier bags are also more affordable than the leather purses we’ve recommended so far, thanks to simple construction and cheaper materials. While they may not be as durable, they’re a great way to enjoy Celine without spending several thousands of dollars.

Size: Medium or small | Shape: Basket tote | Material: Palm leaf or raffia | Original designer: Hedi Slimane

Get your “It girl” bag

Celine is a brand associated with Parisian “It girls” who know how to achieve the perfect expensive but casual look. The brand’s bags are considered cool and stylish – never boring, but also never over-the-top. 

That said, Celine purses are also heavily associated with different eras. If you’d like to buy a bag that perfectly encapsulates modern-day Celine, choose the Triomphe bag. Designed by Hedi Slimane, its bold golden logo and small box shape captures everything that makes Celine special.   

Celine has plenty of other cool-girl purses worth trying, both from the current Slimane era as well as staples from when Phoebe Philo was at the helm. 

How to pick the right Celine bag for you

There’s a lot to consider when shopping for Celine purses, but the key ones are size, shape, and material. 

Size

• Teen/mini. Celine’s teen bags are usually mini-sized, although this varies from bag to bag. The name teen implies that the bag will usually only carry your bare essentials, such as a phone, a cardholder rather than a full wallet, and a few tiny accessories.  
• Small/college. Celine’s “small” bags are usually ideal for a more minimalistic daily carry of a phone, a regular-sized wallet, and a few tiny accessories. 
• Medium. The medium is Celine’s default size, with enough space to function as a daily purse, even for non-minimalists. It’ll handle all of your essentials, plus a few useful extras like a small makeup bag or sunglasses. 
• Large. If you like a large bag that can hold a lot, have a look at the Belt bag (ironically in the size “mini”). These bags will handle everything you need with you on a busy day, including a notebook or tablet. 

Shape

• Box bag. Celine’s most popular and luxurious bags are its box bags, like the Triomphe and Classic. They’re ideal if you prefer a smaller bag with a cute style. 
• Flap bag. Celine’s flap bags, like the Classique 16 and Belt bag, are both stylish options with a top flap. They’re elegant and mature, so they’re perfect if you find box bags a little too cutesy.  
• Tote bags. Totes are usually larger bags with a single compartment, like the zippered Luggage bag or open-top Cabas. Opt for a tote if you like a more casual feel or if you find flap bags difficult to open. 
• Crescent. Celine’s Ava changes things up with a crescent style. The rounded bottom means you won’t have an easy time keeping it upright, but it conveys a more unique style. 

Material

• Calfskin. This is the main leather used for Celine bags. It’s supple and lightweight, which makes the bags feel very luxurious. You can’t go wrong with this classic choice. 
• Canvas. Celine’s coated canvas bags feel a little more vintage since the material is usually covered in a slightly faded print of the brand’s Triomphe logo. 
• Palm leaf or raffia. These plant-derived materials are used to weave bags with a beachy feel. They’re more affordable than Celine’s leather bags and also feel more casual. 
• Lizard or crocodile. These materials have a scaly texture because of the animals from which they’re taken. They feel animalistic and unique but also come with a much higher price tag. 

FAQ

What’s the most popular Celine bag? 

Hedi Slimane’s Triomphe box bag is Celine’s most popular purse right now, thanks to the juxtaposition of eye-catching hardware on a simple, elegant bag. Historically, however, Phoebe Philo’s Luggage tote bag was probably Celine’s most notable and popular bag. 

What’s the best bag to invest in?

Unlike Chanel or Hermès bags, Celine bags aren’t considered “investment bags” in the traditional sense since they don’t usually go up in value on the resale market. That said, the more classic styles from the brand, like the Box or Luggage, while not likely to net you a profit, will retain more of their value, not to mention that their timeless style means you’ll be able to use them for the years to come.   

Can I buy Celine bags second hand?

Yes! If you’d like to buy a Celine bag for less than the retail price, sites like Vestiaire Collective, FarFetch, and TheRealReal sell authentic second-hand bags.