Arm Candy 101

Today’s fashion hinges so much on the bag that the accessory has acquired savior status — namely, if the bag is cool enough, it can save the most disastrous outfit you had the bad fortune of pulling on hurriedly in the dark, without benefit of a mirror — much less a stylist — before venturing outside.

How lucky are we, then, that a store like Adora has collected all the most iconic bags from all the coolest brands underneath one roof? You’ll look like a proper bag lady in the best (fashion-forward, original) — not worst (homeless, crazy) — sense of the word. Here’s the lowdown on what arm candy would be ideal for which bagaholic right now:

Anya Hindmarch Bathurst

Named after the first Baron Bathurst, a renowned 18th-century politician, Anya Hindmarch’s Bathurst Bow Soft Satchel has the vintage feel of an inherited piece, but with a modern twist. Crafted in Capra leather, this soft satchel fastens with an enamel bow lock, reminiscent of cameo miniatures of the period. It can be worn over the shoulder or across the body with two detachable leather straps: one tonal and one contrast for a modern twist. Inside, there are labeled pockets for your phone, sunglasses, lipstick and bits and bobs.

Maxi Zip

Reworked in Anya Hindmarch’s spring/summer color palette, the Maxi Zip Satchel is the ideal everyday bag. With a stylish, chunky zip detail and signature tassel fastenings, this slouchy style opens to reveal cleverly labeled pockets and compartments for storing all those everyday essentials. Wear it comfortably over the shoulder or long across the body with its detachable leather strap.

Chloe Paraty

Military-inspired, Chloe’s iconic shoulder bag has lots of cool hardware but is still very lightweight and comfortable to carry, with a detachable shoulder strap and two top handles that are long enough to sling over the shoulder. In materials ranging from soft grained leather to luxe pink python, it’s got an inside zip pocket that fits wallet, makeup bag, phone and even magazine, with latches on the side that allow the bag to expand in a width while still retaining its shape. Sized just right for petite women, the Paraty will go with most of your outfits, from casual to super-chic.

Givenchy Antigona

Givenchy’s Antigona is the bag stylist Rachel Zoe chose for herself, so you know it’s got it going. Crafted from various leathers, the special feature of this bag is its modern T structure. Carry it by the handles or shoulder strap, it’s spacious enough but not so big that you’ll be tempted to over-carry. In addition to basic phone and wallet, you can also fit a DSLR camera in there, iPad, makeup bag and still have room for a small umbrella, which means it works well as an airport carryon. Lots of celebs have followed Zoe’s lead, from Beyoncé to Blake Lively, Charlize Theron to Gwyneth Paltrow.

Marcie

Coming in small to large, this Chloe’s coveted shoulder bag in super-soft leather is uniquely shaped but very roomy to fit in lots of stuff, making the Marcie the perfect work, shopping or weekend bag. Details include a flap at the front with contrast topstitching, a buckle and strap to fasten the bag, matte-finish gold-tone hardware, two wrap-detailed top handles, a designer-stamped zip pull and designer logo discreetly embossed at the front. Inside, zip and pouch pockets are fully lined in light-brown canvas. Celebrities who’ve toted the bag like Katie Holmes and Rachel Bilson know that in terms of size, maybe bigger is better when it comes to Chloe’s Marcie.

Pandora

Givenchy’s unique shoulder and cross-body bag possesses an unusual boxy shape that, when filled up, resembles a real, rectangular Pandora’s box. Featuring one top handle that can easily be slung over the shoulder, and a long cross-body strap for extra versatility, it’s easy to open with its front flap and double zip fastening, with one zip on each edge. Practical and user-friendly with inside pockets, this would make a great shopping bag and has been seen on numerous celebs like Kate Beckinsale.

Alice

Chloe’s Alice is right in line with today’s color-blocking trend, whether you prefer classic black and white or trendier green or crimson. This large tote of lambskin or leather is the ultimate, ultra-roomy carryall, with double top handles, a top zip closure, two outside open pockets, one interior zip pocket, two inside open pockets, and a cotton lining. You could fit your whole life into this bag and still carry it comfortably and stylishly.

Valentino Rockstud

Who would have expected Valentino — the king of red, roses, sophistication and elegance — to go punk? And yet here the Rockstud is, with its gleaming pyramid studs punctuating smooth leather creations, for a look that bestows Valentino’s trademark timelessness with rock edge. While most models boast the flip-lock closure, interior zip, wallet and cellphone pockets, the Naked version in clear plastic would make the ultimate resort bag. Jessica Alba is regularly seen out and about in Beverly Hills sporting her Valentino Rockstud.

Rosier

Certainly more emblematic of the brand is its Rosier bag, which is covered entirely in silk taffeta rosettes. The elaborately constructed blooms give the bag a stunning 3D effect, with some styles featuring ombre shading that makes it even more exquisite. With two top handles, a leather strap, fabric lining, roomy compartment, two multifunctional pockets and one zipper pocket stitched with the designer’s label, the Rosier is large enough to fill with your essentials and then some. This floral, feminine dream is finished with Valentino’s signature gold emblem.

Proenza Schouler PS1

Created by designer duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough as the “anti-It bag,” they wanted it to look really anonymous but with typical New York City irony, the PS1 has become an It bag of the highest order. Its name, which I thought stood for Proenza Schouler, is actually named after the NY public school system. The emblem of effortless downtown cool, this messenger bag is “like a schoolboy’s bag, stripped of everything,” Hernandez says. PS (Proenza Schouler, that is) have never shown it on the runway so it wouldn’t date but transcend seasons, while style icons like Chloe Sevigny and Mary-Kate Olsen have sealed its perennially cool status.

PS13

First issued in Proenza Schouler’s resort 2013 collection, all details about this sequel to the oh-so-popular PS1 were kept hush-hush — no photos leaked out, even — to foil counterfeiters and fast-fashion copycats. The strategy worked: Vogue even featured the PS13 on its famed back page, thus ensuring its It-bag status. Young starlets like Kate Bosworth and Dakota Fanning have been spotted toting the PS13, which, with its structured, clean lines, is more power bag than messenger satchel.