Bag Check: What Fashion People Carried in 2006 vs. 2026
Everything a fashion person carried in 2006 and everything they're carrying now.

Today, October 14, marks Who What Wear's 20th anniversary, and we're celebrating with our first-ever special-edition print magazine starring Whitney Peak and Iris Law. For the past two decades, we've been reporting on trends, creating shoppable guides, and covering celebrity style—ever since cofounders Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power published the debut story on October 23, 2006, "Trend Report: Little Leather Jackets."
In honor of our milestone birthday, we created a "What's in My Bag?" 2006 vs. 2026—reflecting on the staples of both eras. While so much has changed over the last 20 years (we've outgrown our Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum), some things never do (we're still wearing oversize sunglasses).
Below, take a peek at everything a fashion person might've carried in their handbag in 2006—and everything they’re carrying now.

Going back to 2006, rom-coms like She’s the Man were in theaters while the lovable Seth Cohen graced our TV screens on The O.C. True Religion jeans were sitting low on the hips, Paris Hilton had Lancôme Juicy Tubes on her lips, and The Strokes were on repeat with an icy blue iPod Nano scoring the soundtrack of our lives. Opening Ceremony was the place to shop, Nars’s Orgasm blush was a best seller, we stashed a tin of Altoids Sours in every purse, and somehow, we were getting around using printouts from MapQuest.

Thinking about 2026 so far and the trends that have defined this year, bug-eyed, large-framed sunglasses have made a comeback, and Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1967C have become the most-wanted pair among editors and celebrities. For beauty, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment is still everywhere after launching in 2022, independent fragrances like DedCool’s Xtra Milk are viral, Prada Beauty is an editor favorite, and Celisse nail polish has a cult following. Meanwhile, many of us read Lena Dunham's latest memoir, Famesick; watched the box office–defying Obsession; and maybe even saw Audrey Hobert in concert (or at least listened to her album Who's the Clown?). Keep scrolling to shop our favorites from the shoot.
Shop the Look
Подборка автора

Rhode
$24

Rhode
$20

Rhode
$38

Celisse
$24

Celisse
$12

Khaite
$590

Prada
$50

Starface World
$17

MERIT
$30

La Bonne Brosse
La Bonne Brosse Small Brush N.03
$155

Bonnie Clyde
$208

DedCool
$90

Rocky's Matcha
Rocky's Matcha Single Serve Packets
$32

Lena Dunham
$14

Coach
$325
Photographer: Jingyu LinStylists: Audry Hiaoui, Chinazor OfforEditor in Chief: Kat CollingsCreative Director: Natalia SztykSet Designer: Lane VineyardProducer: Luciana De La FeRetoucher: Jiyeah Kim