There are some fashion brands and products (*cough* Hill House's nap dresses) that just have a moment on Instagram. First, you see your favorite influencers sporting the look. Then, you're served ads to purchase. Before you know it, it's literally your entire feed. That brand right now: Parisian leather goods house Polène. Seriously, all my friends are currently coveting it. And to seal its current "it-bag" status, Kate Middleton just wore the brand...twice in one week. (Keep scrolling to read why this is such a big deal.)
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Kate Middleton Just Carried the Instagram *It-Bag* Twice in One Week, and It’s Under $400
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The Duchess of Cambridge (or Countess of Strathearn, as she's known when she's in Scotland) stepped out on Wednesday during a visit to Glasgow sporting Polène Numéro Sept Mini style in Blue ($360). She paired it with a monochrome blue look (a diplomatic shoutout to the Scottish flag) with a rewear Catherine Walker coat, a new blouse (the Riley Funnel Neck Blouse by Cefinn Studio) and Rupert Sanderson Malory Pumps.
While the blue version is currently sold out (along with the pink and green), it is available for preorder. The bag does come in 19 colorways as well as the original (not mini) version. Most of the styles are $360, though a few are priced at $420 depending on the material. Of course, it's not a steal, but considering some of the other purses and clutches Kate has carried over the years, it's a piece we could actually consider adding to our own wardrobe.
And this wasn't the first time this week she carried her Numéro Sept Mini. During a visit to Manchester's Glade of Light memorial on Tuesday to honor victims of the 2017 bombing there, she sported the bag along with her Michael Kors twill coat that she's worn a handful of times in the past.
She also wore a new pair of bespoke VanLeles Diamonds bee earrings, a poignant shoutout to the city of Manchester's symbol: the worker bee. But, back to the bag. On the Polène website, it's described as "dainty" and "highlights the perfect duality of leather and gold. The fluid contours create a refined and timeless signature bag." All of the brand's bags are handmade in Spain, and the Number Seven Mini measures roughly 7 inches by 7 inches and comes with a metal chain for easy shoulder-wearing (that can be removed and rocked like Kate as a top-handle bag).
For royal watchers like my Royally Obsessed podcast cohost Rachel Bowie and I, this is a pretty big deal, since the Duchess doesn't sport the same style very often—let alone two days in a row. Yep, she must be as obsessed with her new purchase as we are.