Before we get started, I should admit something: Rihanna is probably my favorite famous person in the world. She’s gorgeous, she’s talented and she always looks like she’s having a lot of fun, in spite of the constraints of fame. She also has a body that can only be described as “bangin'” and employs it to great effect when it comes to fashion; she’ll try anything, combine anything and then be on to the next look before you can digest what just happened.
She has the range of someone like Lady Gaga or Anna Dello Russo, but without the self-seriousness that those two bring to personal style. With Rihanna, it feels like she’s doing it all to amuse herself, and maybe to amuse us a little bit, too. With that brings the use of tons of different bags, and because RiRi is a favorite target of the paparazzi, we have plenty of pictures to follow her handbag journey. That’s why she’s the first person to get a third “Many Bags”–her collection is an embarrassment of riches.
Below, check out nearly three dozen new editions to Rihanna’s bag collection since the last time we saw her. Or, just check out nearly three dozen photos of Rihanna being awesome. You can look at it either way.
Givenchy Antigona Zip Pouch
$450 via Barneys
Rihanna, like most of the cool Hollywood kids, carries and wears her fair share of Givenchy.
Balenciaga Crocodile Cable Bag
$1,615 via Balenciaga in Regular Leather
Some celebrities are all about exotics, but Rihanna seems to like variation and fun more than she likes carrying the most expensive thing possible. This bag is likely the most expensive in our roundup.
Givenchy Antigona Zip Pouch
$450 via Barneys
Among my favorite things about Rihanna’s personal style is that she can pull off things that would look absolutely insane and inappropriate on literally any other person on Earth.
Jacquie Aiche Sweet Leaf Weed Clutch
Rihanna’s also the only famous person I can think of who can carry a clutch with a giant pot leaf on it without attracting the attention of pearl-clutchers everywhere.
Chloé Baylee Bag
$2,250 via Barneys
I feel the same way that the dude in the background does.
Goyard Boeing Duffel Bag
Even if you aren’t into Rihanna, you have to admit that she has range; her personal style allows her to look right at home wearing and carrying things from a huge variety of brands.
Louis Vuitton Alma BB Bag
$1,820 via Louis Vuitton
Pictures of Rihanna are worth enough that paparazzi actually follow her home to her native Barbados when she visits, which is how we get pictures of her carrying Louis Vuitton on the beach.
Givenchy Croc-Embossed Antigona Bag
$2,435 via Bergdorf Goodman
Perhaps the most common photos we see of Rihanna, though, are at airports. TSA is the great equalizer.
Stella McCartney Cavendish Boston Bag
$1,435 via Saks
When Rihanna goes to Paris Fashion Week, it’s nothing but a non-stop parade of outfits.
Chanel Micro Mini Bag
This picture isn’t exceptional now, but it’s much more interesting when you realize it was taken well over a year ago, before bags this tiny were a fashion favorite.
Stella McCartney Beckett Backpack
Shop Stella McCartney via Saks
That guy in the background? Rihanna’s dad.
There are relatively few bags in Rihanna’s considerable arsenal that have eluded my identification, but this is among them.
Prada Face Bag
Shop Prada via Bergdorf Goodman
If I could make one request of celebrities in general, it would be that they carry their bags on the paparazzi side.
Christian Dior Mini Lady Dior Bag
In case you hadn’t heard the news late last week, Rihanna is officially Dior’s latest face.
Louis Vuitton Damier Alma BB Bag
$1,200 via Louis Vuitton
I don’t blame you if you’re blame by RiRi’s sorta-terrifying sweatshirt, but try to focus on the bag and it’ll all be fine.
Balmain Striped Clutch
Shop Balmain via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Rihanna does a minimal look just as well as she does maximalism.
Christian Dior Lady Dior Bag
Christian Dior Addict Tote
Rihanna is probably carrying more material in her two handbags than she’s wearing on her body, which is how we all want to be when it’s really hot in New York City.
Alexander Wang Sneaker Clutch
$1,295 via Neiman Marcus
This picture and the one after it are interesting. This is Rihanna arriving at an Alexander Wang fashion show…
Prada Mini Galleria Tote
$1,060 via Bergdorf Goodman
Meanwhile, this was Rihanna minutes before, leaving her apartment to head to the Alexander Wang show with a different bag.
Gucci Soho Mini Bag
Shop via Gucci
Most celebrities do a fairly good job keeping their external expressions blandly positive; Rihanna, on the other hand, lets us know how she feels.
Stella McCartney Knit Hobo
Shop Stella McCartney via Saks
This whole situation looks very cozy.
Marc Jacobs Ostrich Trouble Shoulder Bag
$2,900 via Saks
The dress brings out Rihanna’s eyes.
Balenciaga Le Dix Cartable Bag
$1,875 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Rihanna looks approximately as excited to see the paparazzi at the airport as I would be.
Chanel Shearling Flap Bag
There are a few Chanel pieces in this roundup, but I’m honestly a bit surprised there aren’t more; the brand seems like it would fit Rihanna’s mixture of luxury and streetwear perfectly. She definitely should own a Chanel Graffiti Backpack, but there is not one to be found!
Chanel Belt Bag
I always want to call these “fanny packs,” but I know that means something entirely different to our British readers.
Givenchy Lucrezia Bag
$2,250 via MyTheresa
Sitting courtside at NBA games is one of Rihanna’s favorite hobbies. Even though she looks mad here, I’d generally kill to look half as cool doing anything as Rihanna does going to basketball games.
Balmain x Aurelie Bidermann Pierre Bag
Lest you think Rihanna never repeats anything, she carried this bag often over the past few months after leaving it alone for a couple years.
Louis Vuitton x Frank Gehry Twisted Monogram Box Bag
This bag is more of a collector’s item than a functional purse to carry, so it makes perfect sense that celebrities with fashion cred love it.
Givenchy Triangle Large Clutch
$1,890 via Saks
This is another one of those bags.
Fendi 3Baguette Bag
$2,550 via Saks
This particular 3Baguette is one that Rihanna designed to be auctioned off for charity.
Goyard St. Louis Tote
At this point, I’m pretty sure everyone in Hollywood has one of these totes and uses it regularly for traveling.
Ralph Lauren Ricky Embroidered Bag
$2,500 via Neiman Marcus
Ralph Lauren is a brand best known for its traditional American style, but the embroidery on this bag feels just a little bit punk. Obviously, it’s the one Rihanna had to have.
DSquared2 Suede Tote
Shop DSquared via LUISAVIAROMA
I appreciate the Rihanna, who is famously unashamed of public nudity in various levels, had the biggest, puffiest, least sexy coat of us all this winter.
Chanel Girl Bag
For being very fashion-y, this looks like a pretty comfy outfit for international air travel.
Christian Dior Diorama Bag
Even though I appreciate the ways that Rihanna toys with early 2000s trends like the the plush track suit, I truly hope she does not manage to bring them back to popularity.
Gucci Lady Web Bag
$1,900 via Gucci
Well-fitting jeans, a shearling bomber and a Gucci bag: this is as girl-next-door as Rihanna gets.
