Celebrities

The Bags We Think Some of Our Favorite TV Moms Would Carry

From Jessica Huang to Madeline Martha Mackenzie, we imagine the handbag choices of a handful of our favorite fictional matriarchs

No matter your relationship with your actual mom, there was probably a TV mom growing up (or now) that you felt especially fond of. Portrayals of mothers on contemporary TV are surprisingly varied, which means that no matter what you’re looking for or what you identify with, there’s probably a fictional mom that hits just the right notes.

Because of how mother-daughter bonds often include the passing on of an appreciation for style, we take a particular shine to celebrating Mother’s Day in as many forms as possible. As we’ve done every year for the past several years, that includes the made-up moms of Hollywood. Because no good character is complete without a distinct look, it’s pretty fun to guess which bags they might shop for, if they were real humans. Check out our guesses below.

Bonnie Plunkett, Moms
Marc Jacobs Recruit Nomad Shoulder Bag
$450 via Nordstrom

Bonnie isn’t rich or fussy, but she does strike me as the sort to splurge a bit on a reasonably priced bag, as long as it’s useful and something she can use for a long time.

Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones
Gucci Naga Dragon Shoulder Bag
$3,700 via Gucci

Mother of Dragons, right? See what I did there?

Gloria Delgado Pritchett, Modern Family
Miu Miu Dahlia Bag
$3,080 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

I think Gloria would love the giant, sparkly buckle on this bag, as well as the design’s bright color. When it comes to Gloria, more is more.

Jessica Huang, Fresh Off The Boat
Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag
$2,650 via Vestiaire Collective

Jessica’s style is tailored, classic and ladylike, which makes her a perfect candidate for an understated icon like a 2.55. She’s also shrewd, practical and thrifty, though, which makes me think she might keep her eye out for a well-priced resale option. It’ll hold its value, after all.

Joan Holloway, Mad Men
Mansur Gavriel Metropolitan Bag
$895 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

This new Mansur Gavriel design is a perfect midcentury throwback, and the brilliant red makes it an even more perfect option for our Joanie.

Madeline Martha Mackenzie, Big Little Lies
Mark Cross Laura Bag
$1,995 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

Two things about this: First, Reese’s character in this show dresses pretty much like Reese herself, so a pink top handle bag of any type is basically perfect. Second, go watch Big Little Lies immediately. Quit your job if necessary.

Norma Bates, Bates Motel
Alexander McQueen Skull Flower Shopper Tote
$2,095 via Neiman Marcus

A simple, floral, traditionally feminine tote with a hidden little note of the macabre: perfect.

Rainbow Johnson, Blackish
Sophie Anderson Cinto Bag
$234 via MATCHESFASHION.COM

Rainbow has an eclectic, earthy, maybe even a little bit hippie aesthetic, but not in a way that’s cartoonish. She’d be able to pull off a basket bag like this one—it’d look right at home on her.

Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lights
Patricia Nash Burnished Tooled Nardini Saddle Bag
$199 via Macy’s

At first I thought I might have gone too literal on the Texan vibe for Mrs. Coach, but then I remembered there is nothing Texans love more than a very literal Texan vibe.

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