I Tried the Most Popular Demellier Bags—Here Are My Honest Thoughts

Most bags I’ve stumbled across on the internet lately are beautiful to look at, but very few actually live up to the test of everyday life. That’s what made me curious about DeMellier, a brand that has built its reputation on sleek, timeless silhouettes with a modern twist. After seeing the brand held by every it-girl on my feed, I finally got my first one as a Christmas gift and it was the New York in suede. Every time I’ve worn it, it genuinely has been able to carry it all, plus I can throw in my jacket if I get warm. To really put the brand through its paces, I decided to test my three favorite styled and carried one of my favorites with me for a week straight—through work meetings, dinner reservations, and my usual neighborhood errands. The results? Let’s just say I quickly learned that the bag’s appeal extends far beyond its practical design.

The compliments rolled in almost immediately, and they weren’t the usual passing “cute bag!” comments, either. It was more along the lines of “where did you get that?” or “what’s that brand called?” A stranger even stopped me on the street to ask where it was from. It’s rare to find an accessory that can quietly command that much attention without trying too hard or a massive logo, but DeMellier seems to have cracked the code. After a week with it on my arm, and askin my coworkers about their favorite styles, I get the hype—and I may never look at “everyday” bags the same way again.

The aptly named New York bag has quickly become the tote of choice among fashion insiders, and I’m hardly the only one obsessed. I first wanted it after spotting it on countless cool people in my feed (Katie Holmes included), and now nearly everyone in my orbit has one, too. As Kristen Nichols put it, “practically every fashion editor on our NYC team owns the tote,” thanks to its roomy size and durable leather that fits the chaos of city life. Eliza Huber has had hers for years, carrying it “on trips, to work hundreds of times, and stuffed with everything you could possibly imagine (and then some),” and yet, she says, “it still looks good as new.” And for Anna LaPlaca, it’s the rare bag that does it all: “It goes with me everywhere—to the office, the gym, press appointments, and even the airport,” all while drawing compliments for its polished gold clasp and glossy croc finish.

The Hudson was the bag I carried around with me for a week, and it ended up earning me the best compliment an accessory ever has. When I walked into the office with it, a coworker immediately asked, “Is that a Birkin?”—and my jaw hit the floor. No one has ever mistaken one of my bags for a Birkin before, and in that instant I felt like I had ascended to a new level of personal style. Out on the street, it gave me the same kind of energy; carrying it like a structured briefcase made me feel like a CEO, a big boss girl with places to be. At one point, someone wouldn’t stop staring until they finally asked where my bag was from, and when I told them it was DeMellier, I realized this bag has that rare ability to command attention without saying a word.

The Paris has quickly become my go-to bag for vacations and nights out, mostly because it solves that tricky equation of being hands-free yet surprisingly spacious. It may look compact, but it manages to fit my digital camera, wallet, lip gloss, and even a perfume—basically everything I need for a day or night spent exploring. The adjustable strap makes it easy to switch between a shoulder bag and a crossbody, which I love for mixing things up, and the minimalist, logo-free design feels especially right for traveling. I don’t always want to draw attention to myself when I’m abroad, and the Paris bag strikes that perfect balance of being demure, functional, and incredibly chic.