Emma! Suki! Jodie! I Just Test-Drove the Bag Chic Celebs Are Fighting Over

It’s a strange phenomenon when you go from not knowing about something to seeing it everywhere you look. As someone who studies the styling behaviors of celebrities and influencers on a daily basis, I should be used to it. After all, it happens quite frequently in fashion spaces. And yet, I’m always thrown for a loop when I notice the next big thing become ubiquitous nearly overnight.

Such is exactly what occurred when Tory Burch launched its latest handbag, called the Romy. The style comes in three distinct shapes—the Tote, the Small Tote, and the Bucket Bag—and a variety of colors, from muted hues like light cream, light granite, and black, to trendy alternatives, including tan suede and “lemon.” One day, I had no association with the name Romy. The next, it was being toted around by multiple celebrities, including Emma Roberts, Jodie Turner-Smith, Michelle Williams, and Suki Waterhouse. The best part? For once, the bag on every It celebrity’s arm wasn’t $5000+. It was $598 at most, with smaller versions priced at $498 and $328. Given that all three sizes are made of genuine leather (crafted in partnership with a Leather Working Group–certified tannery), my first impression was that, for those prices, the Romy bags were a steal. Of course, I had to see, feel, and carry them all to know for sure if my assumptions were correct.