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Last night in New Orleans, as pro athletes from the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles made their tunnel walk into the stadium for the 2025 Super Bowl, one couldn’t help but notice that the game-day fashions were on point.
Football stars such as Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins sauntered in wearing their best suits and streetwear—and punctuating their looks were some ultra-luxurious handbags. Each duffle bag was seemingly larger than the next. Kelce carried an oversized Ami Paris weekender bag, while Hollywood Brown chose a monogrammed Louis Vuitton top-handle style. DeVonta Smith carried an XXL Goyard clutch, tucked under his arm as a stealthy-chic styling move.
It’s official: we’re in the era of the men’s power bag. Famous men—from athletes to rappers—are all in the power bag era, choosing extremely chic totes and duffles that range from big Bottegas to even bigger Birkins. Last year Harry Styles emerged in Paris carrying The Row’s luxe leather Margaux bag in tow, which retails for $4,390. It’s fast becoming a celebrity It bag, having also been worn by stars such as Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lawrence.
Sure, men get a bad rap for wearing extremely pragmatic bags (please, no more beaten-up briefcase or ratty backpacks), but as more men in Hollywood and beyond experiment with their style, it seems their approach to accessories is leveling up, too. One of my favorite style moments as of late was when A$AP Rocky stepped out in a baby pink woven Bottega Veneta tote—a bag that’s decidedly feminine, yet on a man, just seems that much cooler. He styled it nonchalantly, with baggy jeans and a blazer.
What does this newfound willingness to rock a men’s power bag—bags that are bold and get you noticed—say about the current times? For one, it obviously means that self-expression in fashion is freeing up; we’re no longer calling men’s bags stupid things like “murses.” But it also reflects a bigger fashion shift in which men are now willing to invest in more expensive and refined pieces. Perhaps we can point to the stealth wealth trend, which has put emphasis on quality over quantity. (Though, there’s nothing subtle about stars like Travis Scott and his huge collection of XXL Birkins.)
Whatever it is, it’s nice that we’re finally starting to see gents shed the basic business-y briefcases or backpacks they’ve had since college, and have more fun. Thank goodness! And men, you don’t have to go out and splurge on an expensive designer bag, either—it’s more about channeling the spirit and feeling you re after. Look for styles that feel smart and elevated, whether a top-handle or a cross-body. A power bag is the best investment piece for looking like a total boss. Why dress like an employee when you can look like the CEO?
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