Gotham  //  Getty Images

what makes an It bag an It bag? All the coolest It girls carrying it, of course. And rising bag brand AUPEN has been quickly racking up a roster of celebrities and It girls. I'm talking Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, Karlie Kloss, and Gabrielle Union, to name a few. Oh, and the latest A-list It girl to tote an AUPEN bag? Taylor Swift. More specifically, Taylor Swift on date night with Travis Kelce in New York City. Yep, It bag status officially secured.

Fresh off an SNL appearance with her new footballer boyfriend, Taylor topped off her look by carrying AUPEN's Nirvana Bag, a sleek, black asymmetric design retailing for $340. It's actually the second time the singer carried the sculptural bag, the first being back in August during Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley's wedding weekend.

AUPEN Nirvana Bag

AUPEN Nirvana Bag

$340 AT AUPEN.COM

Logo-covered, expensive designer bags may be the first thing to come to mind when you hear the words "It bag," but AUPEN's celeb-loved designs are minimal, understated, and wayyy more affordable than your average designer splurge—with its core bags ranging from $180 to $340. The Brooklyn and Singapore-based brand launched just one year ago, in October 2022, and has already been spotted on countless celebrities—from VMA appearances on the arm of Selena Gomez to street style cameos on Gabrielle Union and Kylie Jenner.

Take a look at some of AUPEN's A-list fans...

Hailey Bieber

@hailey bieber  //  Instagram

Hailey posed with AUPEN's Purpose bag on Instagram. The asymmetrical bb bag is available in both black and white for under $200!!! ($180 to be exact.)

Selena Gomez

Gilbert Carrasquillo  //  Getty Images

Selena opted for blinged out version of the Purpose bag after this year's MTV VMA Awards—which she also wore in her music video for "Single Soon." Dripping in crystal rhinestones, the Purpose Ice bag is available for $240.

Gabrielle Union

One of the first celebs to rock AUPEN, the always chic Gabrielle Union stepped out in the white Fearless bag, which retails for $340.

Kylie Jenner

Last fall, Kylie delivered a top-notch street style 'fit complete with AUPEN's asymmetric Fearless bag in black.

So, if you're looking for a new bag to treat yourself to or to add to your holiday wish list (yes, it's almost that time again), might I suggest adding the new celeb-approved favorite, AUPEN, to your cart immediately? From sleek asymmetric designs to chain strap details, there are plenty of bags to choose from. And if they're good enough for Ms. Swift's date night look, they're good enough for all your best 'fits (famous NFL boyfriend sold separately, tho).

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