Royal‑Approved Handbags: What to Keep, What to Trash The Daily Mail's style team advises Readers that Radley, Michael Kors and others are past fashion and recommends current top brands including DeMellier, Aspinal, Fairfax & Favor, Strathberry for a chic "bag-drobe" for 2025. The Daily Mail's style desk recently released a guide on the handbags that are still making headlines among influencers, royals and red‑carpet stars. While the tote wave may be fading, the debate remains over which luxury luggage is still considered chic and which have slipped into the past. Many fashion‑obsessed readers still clutch the beloved Radley satchel, but the outfit gurus warn that the brand may feel out of date for modern style. Even once‑lauded labels like Michael Kors now seem as distant from relevance as an old vinyl record, meaning that nostalgia has little room in today's wardrobes. The advice is simple: if you're still carrying a McCloy‑era masterpiece, consider refreshing your bag‑drobe.In Demand Handbag BrandsThe article shifts focus to the 'In' handbag brands that have captured the attention of the elite. DeMellier, a London‑based house launched in 2017, has become a favourite of the British and Hollywood elite. Celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Rosie Huntington‑Whiteley and Meryl Streep have been spotted with its sophisticated, structured tote from the New York collection.Royal fans are equally enamoured; Princess Kate has regularly carried the DeMellier Nano Montreal, even sporting the brand's Small Hudson gold‑browed leather at the 2025 Christmas service in Sandringham. Prices start at £395 for classic models such as the New York Tote, and the brand's style range includes the Stockholm Shoulder and the Siena Bucket. Aspinal of London is also highlighted as a top choice.The firm's compact Mayfair bags and curvy Soho Crescent silhouettes are a cut above the rest. Supermodel Gigi Hadid has been seen wielding the Mayfair, while Emily Ratajkowski, Selena Gomez and Zara Tindall have followed in that style-savvy line. The Princess of Wales herself has over 40 pieces, from the practical City Holdall to the couture Mini Mayfair, keeping the brand firmly in the spotlight.Celebrity And Royal PicksMore recent buyers include Hollywood icons like Taylor Swift, who carried the Trunk clutch during a 2025 date with Travis Kelce. Another favourite among the Duchess of Cambridge is Fairfax & Favor. Founded in the UK's heartland, the brand's country‑to‑town ethos resonates with royal fans. Zara Tindall practices her ambassadorship by carrying bags such as the Connie, Mini Loxley in brown cordovan and the Mini Windsor.The line's relaxed elegance reflects the bureaucratic lifestyle of Edinburgh's social circles. A squad of A‑list celebrities follows suit, turning Fairfax & Favor into an attractive option for anyone looking for understated, everyday luxury. The guide also mentions Strathberry, a Scottish boutique whose knit‑structured totes and sleek bags are a rising favourite. Mulberry remains a staple thanks to its timeless design ethos, while Bottega Veneta‑style collaboratives such as Dragon Diffusion capture the contemporary street‑wear vibe of boutique bag‑lovers.Updated Fashion GuideIn short, if you want to keep your for‑everyday carry as fashionable as it was in 2020, the Daily Mail's curated list recommends skipping the old‑school Radley or Michael Kors designs. Instead, aim for the current prestige of DeMellier, the tailored sophistication of Aspinal, the polished countryside style of Fairfax & Favor and the modern‑edgy classics of Strathberry, Mulberry and Dragon Diffusion.