When sourcing her next handbag, Blake Lively adheres to a very specific checklist. Where Jennifer Lawrence prioritizes form and function, the Gossip Girl alum embraces novelty. She likely has a separate closet just for her one-of-a-kind purses from Chanel, Judith Leiber, and Thom Browne. She promoted Another Simple Favor with a martini-shaped bag; fashion enthusiasts still aren't over her $51,840 Chanel clutch from June 9, which mimicked an Egyptian beetle. Just days later, she debuted another exuberant style. This one, however, managed to overlap with a beaded bag trend anyone can carry.
During a stroll in New York on June 11, Lively was all smiles in the most colorful co-ord, starting with a rainbow tweed skirt set. The purple, yellow, blue, and green cropped jacket and thigh-length pencil skirt appeared to be vintage Chanel finds—a fitting selection for the brand's biggest enthusiast. Acting once again as her own stylist, Lively layered a white tank top underneath. She accessorized with statement necklaces, plus bright blue heels from Christian Louboutin—her favorite footwear label.
And now, a moment for her purse. Instead of continuing the Chanel theme with one of her many flap bags, Lively carried a tote from Susan Alexandra. The bright blue bag was constructed completely out of beads—the New York brand's signature motif—from the square compartment to the strawberries and lemons growing from its side. The summer-y style is sold-out (as most Lively-approved pieces are), but if you're lucky, it sometimes pops up on various resale sites.
Lively clearly heard beaded bags are trending, because her version reminded us Susan Alexandra was ahead of the curve. The designer launched her first beaded bag in 2017, and now, similar styles from Staud, Allsaints, and Sandro are dominating the style scene. On May 28, one of Lively's celebrity friends, Gigi Hadid endorsed the TikTok-approved trend with a $350 Staud style. So, perhaps we have the supermodel to thank for Lively's look.
Now that beaded bags received Lively and Hadid's approval, it's only a matter of time before they reach their close friend Taylor Swift's closet. Swifties, do you think she'll go the sardine route, or Y2K-coded like Lively?
