The Hermes Birkin bag is one of the most coveted luxury accessories, costing upwards of £13,000.
Yet while the prestige arm candy is adored by A-listers far and wide, WAGs appear to have somewhat monopolised the Birkin bag as their must-have accessory – although they don’t always get it right.
While the glamorous wives and girlfriends of football players have plenty of money and easy access to stylists, this does not automatically mean they will always have impeccable taste.
Though some have selected ‘effortless’ complimentary styles and colours, other choices appear to be ‘incohesive’ and a pricey ‘add-on’ item, according to celebrity stylists Lisa Talbot and Rochelle White.
Victoria Beckham famously debuted Birkin bags in the early 2000s, when her image was more Spice Girl WAG than polished fashion designer, and has since set a fashion precedent that shows little sign of wavering.
Now, numerous up-and-coming WAGs are following suit, with Ashlyn Castro seen sporting a small black Birkin handbag while supporting her beloved boyfriend, Jude Bellingham, at the Mutua Madrid Open last month.
Taylor Ward, wife to Riyad Mahrez, often showcases her growing Birkin collection to her more than three million Instagram followers, while Kate Kane, wife of England football captain Harry Kane, uses her Birkin as a chic pitch side accessory.
Ms Talbot told the Daily Mail: ‘The Hermès Birkin bag has long been a symbol of ultimate luxury, but within the world of football WAGs, it has evolved into a visual shorthand for status, confidence, and belonging.
‘We can trace this back to Victoria Beckham, who really set the tone. She didn’t just carry a Birkin; she curated a collection, making it a cornerstone of her signature look and, in many ways, defining the modern WAG aesthetic.’
Read on to discover which celebrity WAGs are winning the Premier League of the Hermes handbag, and who has failed to achieve the look they were hoping for…
Ashlyn Castro, girlfriend of Jude Bellingham
When Ashlyn Castro made a public appearance to support her beau Jude Bellingham at the Mutua Madrid Open earlier last month, the glamorous WAG was spotted carrying a small black Hermes handbag, believed to be a Hermes Birkin 25
When Ashlyn Castro made a public appearance to support her beau Jude Bellingham at the Mutua Madrid Open earlier this week, the glamorous WAG was spotted carrying a small black Hermes handbag, believed to be a Hermes Birkin 25.
Tennis sensation Rafael Nadal returned to the court to play alongside Real Madrid football stars, including Thibaut Courtois, Sinner and Bellingham.
However, all eyes were on Ashlyn Castro, who has been dating Jude since early January, as she walked through the courts in the Spanish capital clutching a rather glamorous Birkin bag.
Believed to be the Hermes Kelly 25 Retourne Bag in Noir Togo Leather with gold hardware, Ashlyn’s striking handbag costs upwards of £22,950.
According to celebrity stylist Rochelle White, Ashlyn’s effortless handbag choice ‘represents the newer generation’.
She added: ‘There’s a more relaxed, off-duty feel to how she styles the Birkin, which keeps it relevant. It’s less formal, but still considered.’
However, in Lisa’s view, Ashlyn’s handbag style is ‘still evolving’.
She added that while her black Birkin ‘adds instant polish, the overall look hasn’t quite found its consistency yet’.
Megan Pickford, wife of Jordan Pickford
Girlfriend to England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Megan Pickford is often highly renowned as one of the most glamorous and popular WAGs across the UK football scene
Girlfriend to England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Megan Pickford is often highly renowned as one of the most glamorous and popular WAGs across the UK football scene.
More than partial to a Birkin as a fashion accessory, Megan frequently takes to Instagram to showcase her eclectic bag collection – including the Hermes Birkin 30 Epsom Leather Handbag with white gold finishes.
And, according to celebrity stylist Lisa Talbot, Megan has mastered the look perfectly – with her overall look coming across ‘very considered and put-together’.
She added: ‘Her styling feels intentional and cohesive, which works beautifully with such a statement accessory.’
Meanwhile, Rochelle also praised Megan’s Birkin handbag looks, noting that while she is ‘aware’ of the current trends, she still manages to effortlessly ‘balance it well with structured pieces, allowing the Birkin to ground the look’.
Kate Kane, wife of Harry Kane:
The wife of England captain Harry Kane is certainly not exempt to the Birkin trend. In fact, Kate Kane is frequently seen clutching a lavish Birkin handbag on both social media and indeed while supporting her husband on the pitch
Showcasing a versatility of colours, Kate has been captured with what appears to be the Black Box Leather Birkin 35 Handbag, fit with Ruthenium Hardware, alongside a white leather Hermes Birkin 30 handbag with gold finishes
The wife of England captain Harry Kane is certainly not exempt to the Birkin trend. In fact, Kate Kane is frequently seen clutching a lavish Birkin handbag on both social media and indeed while supporting her husband on the pitch.
Showcasing a versatility of colours, Kate has been captured with what appears to be the Black Box Leather Birkin 35 Handbag, fit with Ruthenium Hardware, alongside a white leather Hermes Birkin 30 handbag with gold finishes.
Kate, who shares three children with Harry, is often captured supporting her beloved husband at his football games, and is widely believed to have become a key factor in Bayern Munich’s efforts to keep the England captain in Germany beyond next summer.
According to Lisa, Kate’s Birkin collection is both ‘timeless and refined’.
‘Kate’s styling is elegant and consistent, though slightly more conservative compared to others,’ she added.
Likewise, Rochelle also praised Kate’s gorgeous handbag collection as an example of a ‘classic, understated aesthetic’.
She explained: ‘It aligns with her overall look rather than elevating it, which in itself is a sign of strong styling discipline.’
Taylor Ward, wife to Riyad Mahrez
Social media influencer Taylor Ward holds the most extensive Birkin collection of all WAGs – which she often shares via glamorous photos posted to her three million Instagram followers
‘Effortless, neutral, and incredibly polished, she lets the Birkin elevate her look rather than overpower it,’ Lisa noted
Social media influencer Taylor Ward holds the most extensive Birkin collection of all WAGs – which she often shares via glamorous photos posted to her three million Instagram followers.
The glamorous model shares a four-year-old daughter with Riyad, whom she wed in January 2022, and shares details of their family life in Saudi Arabia, where they relocated in 2023 following Riyad’s transfer to Al-Ahli.
Taylor’s eclectic Birkin collection includes the Hermes Birkin 30 Epsom Leather Handbag with white gold finishes, which can retail at more than £29,000.
Meanwhile, in another image taken while she was in Italy, Taylor glamorously showcased a Black version of the same Birkin bag, this time with silver hardware.
‘Effortless, neutral, and incredibly polished, she lets the Birkin elevate her look rather than overpower it,’ Lisa noted.
Meanwhile, Rochelle praised Taylor for understanding both the ‘proportion and palette’ of her handbag.
‘Her Birkin choices tend to complement rather than compete, often paired with clean, tonal outfits that let the craftsmanship speak. It feels effortless, which is exactly the point.’
Sandra Calvert-Lewin, wife to Dominic Calvert Lewin
Sandra, who wed English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin earlier this year, takes a slightly more unique stance to the Hermes Birkin style – opting for colours that move beyond from the staple black and white
Sandra, who wed English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin earlier this year, takes a slightly more unique stance to the Hermes Birkin style – opting for colours beyond the staple black and white.
In one glamorous shot posted to her Instagram, Sandra poses while sat on a private plane with a green Birkin 30 leather handbag on her leg.
Retailing for more than £30,000, the lavish handbag is a bold accessory choice, yet appears to complement the supermodel effortlessly.
However, Lisa notes that while Sandra is more ‘trend-led’ and ‘experimental’ with her handbag choices, it can sometimes mean that the Birkin ‘feels like an add-on rather than part of a cohesive look’.
Rochelle added: ‘Sandra’s styling feels more lifestyle-led. The Birkin is clearly a statement piece within her wardrobe, but at times it can feel slightly separate from the rest of the look rather than fully integrated.’
Ferne Maguire, wife to Harry Maguire
Ferne Macguire, wife to Manchester United player Harry Maguire, opts for a more subtle use of the Birkin – wearing it across her body rather than holding it in tow
Ferne Maguire, wife to Manchester United player Harry Maguire, opts for a more subtle use of the Birkin – wearing it across her body rather than holding it in tow.
The glamorous WAG, who wed Harry in 2022, is captured posing with what appears to be a Hermes Birkin 25 Gris Pantin Togo with Palladium Hardware.
Yet while a slightly less popular choice, Lisa believes Ferne’s Birkin selection is both ‘relatable and wearable’.
Praising her selection here, she added: ‘She integrates the Birkin into everyday outfits well, but it doesn’t always feel elevated enough to fully maximise the impact of the bag.’
However, while Rochelle notes the ‘strong sense of personal style’, she adds that Ferne’s Birkin may feel ‘occasionally like an add-on rather than a natural extension of the outfit’.
‘When it works, it works well but it’s less consistent,’ she added.
Isabel Haugseng Johansen, girlfriend of Erling Haaland
Former Norwegian football player and now girlfriend to Erling Haaland, Isabel Haugseng makes a bold statement with her choice of a silver Birkin that provides a pop of colour to her outfit
Former Norwegian football player and now girlfriend to Erling Haaland, Isabel Haugseng makes a bold statement with her choice of a silver Birkin that provides a pop of colour to her outfit.
Holding what appears to be a Hermes Limited Edition Silver Metallic Chèvre Birkin 30 Palladium Hardware, Isabel’s choice is innovative and unique.
Noting that Isabel ‘sits just outside the core ranking but is one to watch,’ Rochelle explains that her approach to the Birkin is ‘more minimal and understated, which aligns well with where luxury is heading’.
‘There’s less reliance on the bag as a status symbol and more focus on overall aesthetic — which feels modern.’
Likewise, Lisa notes that Isabel’s background means she is able to bring a more ‘understated, Scandinavian feel to her styling’.
‘Her use of the Birkin is relaxed and unfussy, which gives it a modern edge. It feels less about showing status and more about quietly confident dressing, a refreshing contrast,’ she explained.
