Harry Styles has been a whirlwind of style inspiration lately. Following the March 6th release of his fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, the singer has re-emerged into the public eye, delivering a masterclass in fashion with each appearance. From custom Celine to reimagined Dior, Styles, alongside his longtime stylist Harry Lambert, is proving once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with on the style front.
But it’s a recent accessory choice that’s truly capturing attention: an oversized, leopard-print Chanel 25 flap bag carried during a Novel York City outing with girlfriend Zoë Kravitz. The bag, plucked straight from the Chanel Métiers d’art 2026 runway, isn’t just a statement piece; it’s a bold embrace of a traditionally “grandma” aesthetic, and a testament to Styles’s ability to redefine modern menswear.
The Chanel 25 bag made its debut in December on a New York City subway platform, as part of the Métiers d’art 2026 collection. Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally has propelled Styles back into the spotlight, with appearances including a scheduled hosting gig on Saturday Night Live.
Men carrying women’s bags is hardly a new phenomenon. Pedro Pascal notably carried a black leather tote at a Chanel show last year, and figures like Christopher Briney have incorporated underarm bags into their fashion-week looks. However, this Chanel bag feels different. It’s not a neutral, easily-integrated piece; it’s a bag historically associated with a very specific demographic. As one observer might describe it, this is a bag for women who have a penchant for personalized handkerchiefs, Werther’s Originals, and discontinued lipstick shades – a bag carried with a gentle pat on the cheek and a warm “pet.”
And that’s precisely what makes it such a compelling flex. Paired with Styles’s sharp, minimalist outfit – blue jeans, loafers from The Row, and a navy sweater – the bag becomes an unexpected exclamation point. It’s a subtle brag, amplified by the fact that the collection isn’t even available for purchase yet, with a release slated for June. Even when it does hit stores, acquiring one won’t be easy: a Chanel flap bag of comparable size, the “Maxi,” typically starts around $8,500, and that’s before considering exotic finishes like the leopard print Styles sported. Discogs provides further details on the album and its release.
The Return of Grandma Chic
For a while now, fashion has been looking to youth culture for its next big thing. But Styles’s embrace of this Chanel bag signals a potential shift – a willingness to mine inspiration from generations past. We haven’t seen a mainstream embrace of “grandma” style in quite some time, but if anyone can make us reconsider it, it’s Styles. He’s proven adept at taking seemingly disparate elements and weaving them into a cohesive, undeniably cool aesthetic.
What’s Next for Styles’s Style Evolution?
As Styles prepares for his Saturday Night Live hosting duties, all eyes will be on his sartorial choices. His recent looks suggest a continued willingness to experiment and push boundaries, blending high fashion with a playful, individualistic spirit. The anticipation surrounding his upcoming performances and appearances promises a continued stream of style moments that will undoubtedly influence trends for seasons to come.
What do you consider of Harry Styles’s latest fashion statement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
