What do Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowksi have in common? Aside from being fashion luminaries, they’re also obsessed with the JW Pei Gabbi bag.
It’s not hard to see why: The bag comes in a rainbow of colours and is just the right size for casual outings as well as wedding season and bottomless brunches. Oh, and it retails for under £150 — even when it’s not on sale. (ICYMI: It and its sisters sold out multiple times on Prime Day last year).
Of course, we’re writing this story RN because it is on sale: reduced from £129 to £75 on the JW Pei website – in countless colours.
While we’ve lost track of how many occurrences it’s been worn by our favourite It girls, the bag’s biggest moment so far came at the 2024 Golden Globes, when Gomez wore a bedazzled, red version to match her rich red Armani Privé gown.
Selena Gomez was also posted wearing another JW Pei silhouette, the Abacus, with the same red stoning, although it’s not currently on sale. (Based on her 2025 Oscars gown, the actor is a huge fan of allover rhinestones; it’s incredibly endearing that while she has access to runway fashion, she’s still a fan of the Amazon bags like the rest of us).
Even next to thousands of dollars of couture and diamond jewellery, the Gabbi bag held its own — so now that it’s £54 off as part of a limited-time deal, we suggest you snap it up before it goes back to full price.
It’s hard to tell who exactly is behind the bag’s popularity — could it be EmRata herself, who wore the croissant-shaped bag all around New York during the summer of 2021? It’s unclear, but the identity of whoever kicked off this trend doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the best handbags out there.
We spend a lot of time looking for cute fashion (read our roundup of the best spring dresses to shop right now), so trust us when we say that the JW Pei Gabbi bag is a legit find. It has a distinct ’90s vibe, but its functionality and highly photogenic colour palette are what really set it apart. (Stoned options usually clock in at £129; studded ones, £109; sold-colours picks, £89. Most are currently on sale at JW Pei.)
Inside, you’ll find a single pocket for placing smaller items like a cardholder or lip balm, and the flat bottom adds some width for larger items like your smartphone or keys. It features a magnetic closure, too, so you don’t have to worry about spills or items flying out.
The bags are designed in Los Angeles and produced by an AANHPI-owned brand, so you can shop in good conscience. Plus, it has endless styling potential. Throw it over your shoulder à la Hadid for a casual vibe — the generously proportioned armhole earns it extra points — or hold it in your hand as a small, delicate purse for special occasions in the style of Gomez.
And trust us when we say that the bag doesn’t only appear high-quality. We’ve tested similar styles from the brand and can confirm that they look and feel luxurious in person, leaving no one the wiser that you spent just under £100 for your accessory. Another nice touch: each purse comes with a dust bag and box for storage. And the best part? At this very sweet price point, you can snag it in as many shades as your heart desires.
Shop more JW Pei bags on sale:
It’s not just Selena’s fave that’s on-sale right now. Shop the woven Maze bag, as well as phone pouches and the spring-ready Grace box bag, at a fraction of their normal prices.
This story originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
