The Many Bags of Barbara Walters

Because paparazzi tend to follow the young, lithe starlets of LA and New York, so does our coverage of which bags celebrities are carrying–there’s simply more photographic evidence to go on. When we started looking, though, we realized that because of her out-and-about life in NYC, we could piece together enough to create an in-depth look at the handbag choices of legendary journalist Barbara Walters. So we did just that.

Not only has Barbara’s career spanned more than a couple decades, but so has her life in New York’s philanthropic and social circles, and we found that she regularly carries bags that she’s clearly had for some time. That made it harder to identify some of her pieces, but we think you’ll enjoy scoping them out, along with her higher-profile Chanel and Hermès picks, just the same.

This picture is somewhat old, so we were unable to identify this pretty, dignified exotic bag.

Barbara-Walters-Alligator-Bag

I can’t remember who makes this bag, but I would not want to be on the receiving end of this look from Barbara. I’m pretty sure the photographer who took this picture turned into stone soon after.

Barbara-Walters-Blue-Satchel

Bottega Veneta Shoulder Bag
$1,550 via Neiman Marcus

We’d know that woven leather anywhere.

Barbara-Walters-Bottega-Veneta-Shoulder-Bag

Chanel Cerf Tote

This bag also isn’t too much of a head-scratcher.

Barbara-Walters-Chanel-Cerf-Tote

Chanel Grand Shopping Tote

Rumors are (still) swirling that the popular GST is getting discontinued, but it will live on in Barbara’s closet.

Barbara-Walters-Chanel-Grand-Shopping-Tote

We’re not 100% sure, but this looks like it might be a Chanel bag from the 80s or 90s.

Barbara-Walters-Chanel-Probably-Vintage-Red-Bag

Chanel Satin Bag

This, on the other hand: definitely Chanel. We’d know those straps anywhere.

Barbara-Walters-Chanel-Satin-Bag

Fendi Beaded Baguette Bag
$2,363 via mytheresa.com

Barbara attends a lot of red-carpet events, and we caught her carrying this jet-beaded Fendi to a handful of them.

Barbara-Walters-Fendi-Beaded-Baguette-Bag

This one’s another bag that looks like it’s probably at least 20 years old, which is impressive.

Barbara-Walters-Gold-Flap-Bag

Goyard St. Louis Tote

Sometimes it feels like every wealthy woman in Manhattan has at least one of these bags in her closet.

Barbara-Walters-Goyard-St-Louis-Tote

Hermès Victoria II Bag
$5,150 via Hermès

From what we saw, there’s a strong argument to be made that this luxe, discreet bag is Barbara’s favorite.

Barbara-Walters-Hermes-Victoria-II-Bag-2

Hermès Victoria II Bag
$5,150 via Hermès

She certainly carries it a lot.

Barbara-Walters-Hermes-Victoria-II-Bag

This bag has notes of both Chanel and Lanvin, but we’re not entirely sure it’s either.

Barbara-Walters-Quilted-Satin-Purse

Ralph Lauren Soft Ricky Bag
$2,500 via Neiman Marcus

Along with the Victoria II, Barbara also carries this bag on the regular.

Barbara-Walters-Ralph-Lauren-Soft-Ricky-Bag-1

Ralph Lauren Soft Ricky Bag
$2,500 via Neiman Marcus

It’s a nice deviation from her normal penchant for neutrals. (Red does seem to be her favorite way to do that.)

Barbara-Walters-Ralph-Lauren-Soft-Ricky-Bag-2

Another red bag! But, sadly, one we don’t know the name of.

Barbara-Walters-Red-Python-Clutch

Stella McCartney Falabella Shoulder Bag
$845 via Saks

While looking for photos of her bags, we also found a few of Barbara hobnobbing with Stella’s stepmom Nancy.

Barbara-Walters-Stella-McCartney-Falabella-Shoulder-Bag

Tod’s D Bag Tote
Shop Tod’s via Nordstrom

A Tod’s bag is a natural choice for Barbara.

Barbara-Walters-Tods-D-Bag-Tote

VBH Manila Satin Clutch
$950 via Saks

Finally, a clutch we can identify! And it’s a beauty, too.

Barbara-Walters-VBH-Manila-Satin-Clutch

And finally, one last unidentifiable bags, which may be the weirdest of Barbara’s fairly staid bunch.

Barbara-Walters-Weird-Clutch

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Jeannette Marcoux

My Uncle Noah just got an almost new cream Volkswagen Golf R by working parttime off of a pc online.visit their website on my` prof1Ie`

hrrrr

Sparky

Suspecting Chanel would happily refurbish her bags – even without receipt…(?)

Lori

LOL!

Ama O

hahaha money and status talks lool

kara deaton

like Phillip answered I cannot believe that you can make $9890 in 4 weeks on the computer.try this website on `my` `prof1le`
+uuuuuuuuuu

enola mullane

like Cindy implied I am stunned that any body can make $5241 in one month on the computer. try this website on `my` `prof1le`

&rrrrrrrr

Yazi

I love the way she dresses and complements it with accessories, it’s elegant but not boring. I admire older women who can do this.

Imgoingbroke

She looks wonderful. I like all her crisp, linen outfits.

Lori

I totally agree!! Her style works so well for her. Impressive.

Gigi

She’s just such a class-act. I would love to get coffee with her and pick her brain!

Jennifer McGee

Babs is one of the most stylish woman of all time. Her style is underrated though due to her impressive professional accomplishments. A role model and style icon.

Jennifer

Great post! Love seeing the collections of older, more established celebrities. Love how put-together she always looks.

oui

How rare to see a Many Bag thread without a Kelly, Birkin, Chanel Flap, or Celine Luggage tote. Perhaps the first Many Bag ever to not have them? Bravo babs.

And it’s like I’ve been so thoroughly brainwashed by the high frequency of those A-List bags, I kept on scrolling past the comment section to the very bottom (and still I kept scrolling to a point where I wondered why the computer screen froze), subconsciously trying to find those bags, where there’s none.

Love to see this, an eclectic mix too. And perhaps also very vintage. Ugh. So jealous right now.

Millerette

When I grow up I want to be Barbara Walters <3

Swissmiss2000

I think number 16 is a Diane Von Furstenburg red snakeskin clutch

Imgoingbroke

I think slide #2 is an orYANY shoulder bag. The slouch of the leather and the shoulder strap look like very much orYANY.

kaly

Great post!! Very interesting!! I lust after that Ricky bag!!

Halim Amin

Maybe this is the direction purse blog should be heading also. A celebrity with style and has kept her bags as a staple! Naomi is another joy!

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