Timothée Chalamet and the New Era of the Man Purse
The actor’s recent outing with an orange Hermès mini Kelly highlights how the man purse is becoming a leading accessory choice for men today
Would you wear a ‘man purse’?
Timothée Chalamet was seen walking through New York City last weekend, dressed in a way that only he could make look stylish. His outfit included navy joggers, a white hoodie, and a Givenchy leather jacket. The finishing touch, however, was what caught the public’s attention: an orange Hermès mini Kelly bag, essentially a man purse, worn across his chest like a prized accessory.
The bag, reportedly worth around $10,000, is one of the smallest and most coveted handbags in fashion. Against the casual backdrop of sweatpants and tactical boots, it seemed both out of place and completely natural.
For Timmy, this is not a first. The actor has long blurred the lines between streetwear and high fashion, and his latest look continues his habit of mixing luxury with ease. It is not hard to imagine that the mini Kelly might hold little more than a vape or a lip balm, yet that seems beside the point.
In pairing an iconic Hermès piece with an everyday outfit, the critically acclaimed actor highlights how the modern man is beginning to view the purse as an ordinary part of getting dressed.
From niche accessory to statement piece
The man purse has become one of the most visible accessories in the past year. What was once considered a niche item or a fashion joke has evolved into a serious marker of taste. The change is subtle but significant.
Across social media and city streets, men are carrying smaller and structured bags that were once reserved for women. The term “murse” has followed the trend, though many of these new designs resist easy categorization. They exist somewhere between practicality and expression.
Timothée’s mini Kelly signals this shift. The Hermès bag has long been associated with elegance and restraint, often seen in the hands of women like Jane Birkin and the Olsen twins. For the Marty Supreme actor, wearing it with joggers and a shaved head is done on purpose. It suggests that luxury no longer needs to be formal. A belief that anyone can redefine how a traditional item is worn.
Shaping the new masculine accessory
Other examples of this shift are found in brands that have shaped the current idea of masculine elegance. The Bottega Veneta Cassette crossbody, with its woven leather and minimalist design, has become a favorite for men who value sophistication.
The Dries Van Noten Soft Crossbody offers a similar appeal, softening structured tailoring with fluid design. Lemaire’s Small Crescent Bag, curved like a pastry, merges irony with craftsmanship. These bags carry attitude with them.
The rise of the man purse reflects a broader evolution in how men approach fashion. For decades, the conversation around menswear centered on utility and simplicity. Today, the conversation has shifted toward individuality.
Accessories once seen as feminine have been recast as neutral, and the man purse now sits comfortably within that redefinition. Men are no longer expected to fit everything into their pockets. They are instead choosing to make a statement about personal style, taste, and the freedom to accessorize.
Luxury for a new generation
Timmy’s decision to wear an Hermès mini Kelly on a casual day out may look spontaneous, but it fits within a growing pattern of how modern celebrities influence the direction of fashion. His look captures a cultural moment in which gendered codes in clothing continue to fade, replaced by a more fluid understanding of what it means to dress well.
Even a small orange bag can tell a larger story about changing ideas of masculinity and luxury. What was once a symbol of old-world refinement has found new life as a sign of confidence and individuality. As Timothée walked the streets of New York, his bag catching the city light, it felt like an announcement that the man purse was no longer a punchline but a defining accessory of our time, whether we liked it or not.
Timothée Chalamet was spotted in New York with an orange Hermès mini Kelly, showing how luxury accessories are being worn more casually. His look reflected a modern approach to fashion where high-end pieces mix with everyday streetwear.
The orange Hermès mini Kelly that Timmy carried is estimated to cost around $10,000, making it one of the most coveted and expensive small handbags in fashion.
Timmy’s choice highlights how the man purse has become a mainstream accessory. It shows that men are increasingly comfortable using bags as a form of self-expression and personal style.
Yes. In 2025, man purses have grown in popularity as more men embrace versatile accessories like crossbody and mini bags from brands such as Hermès, Bottega Veneta, and Lemaire.
Men can take inspiration from Timothée by pairing a statement bag with relaxed pieces such as joggers, hoodies, or sneakers. The key is to make luxury items feel natural in everyday settings.
Photos courtesy Instagram, Bottega Veneta, Dries van Noten, Lemaire
