White House Press Secretary's Designer Bag Collection Sparks Fashion Debate
Over the past year, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has found herself in the public eye not only for her political role representing President Donald Trump but also for her distinctive personal fashion choices. The 28-year-old, currently expecting her second child, has been frequently photographed in glamorous tweed dresses, high heels, tailored suits, and colorful coats during official White House press briefings. However, it is her impressive collection of luxury designer handbags that has recently captured significant media attention and sparked discussions about fashion and political symbolism.
The 'MAGA Barbie' Label and Fashion Statements
Since assuming her position, Leavitt has been informally labeled as a 'MAGA Barbie' due to her penchant for expensive designer brands including Self-Portrait, Maje, and Sandro. Her annual salary of $195,200 as Press Secretary, as reported by Fox News, provides context for her fashion expenditures. Beyond her official duties, Leavitt has been spotted carrying high-end handbags from prestigious fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci, often showcasing these accessories on her Instagram account during social outings with friends.
According to Dr. David Loranger, PhD and associate professor of fashion marketing and merchandising at Sacred Heart University, Leavitt's choice of prominently branded luxury bags may be sending deliberate signals to her political audience. 'To me, the logo thing is so played out and it's something that someone who wants to project status purchases,' Loranger explained to the Daily Mail. 'She does roll with new-money billionaires, so perhaps she's just trying to fit in.'
Louis Vuitton: A Preferred Brand with Political Utility
Leavitt appears to particularly favor Louis Vuitton, with the brand's classic Neverfull Monogram MM bag featuring prominently in her collection. This particular tote retails for $2,170 and is constructed from brown leather with cowhide trim and canvas lining. The bag has proven to be a practical companion for her demanding schedule, having been photographed with her both stepping off Air Force One and boarding Marine One in March, as well as during campaign trail activities for President Trump in April 2024.
'This bag has been around for years, and customers who have busy careers and lives gravitate towards it. I'd say it embodies "utility with a touch of style,"' Loranger commented regarding the Neverfull's enduring popularity. Fashion expert Lisa Springsteel Dupree, founder of Launch Your Collection, added: 'The Neverfull tote is still hugely popular because it's one of Louis Vuitton's most functional and recognizable totes. Its mix of heritage monogram branding and everyday practicality keeps it a go-to staple for celebrities and non-celebrities alike.'
Beyond the Neverfull, Leavitt's Louis Vuitton collection includes the limited-edition snakeskin Capucines mini bag, which she carried to Mar-a-Lago in November 2023, and the $5,000 Coussin PM bag in cream, featured in her Instagram posts documenting nights out. However, Loranger offered a cautionary perspective on the brand's current cultural positioning: 'LV has been so over-exposed as a brand that it's everywhere, and now I'd consider it masstige; as Fran Lebowitz says, "a poor person's idea of a rich person." I think it's a pure status statement, like "yes, I can buy a $2,100 bag." But so can lots of people.'
Chanel Addition: Elevating the Collection
In recent months, Leavitt has expanded her luxury handbag repertoire by adding a Chanel piece to her collection. She appears to have acquired the Lambskin Quilted Pearl Small Flap bag in light purple, featuring shiny gold hardware and the iconic interlocking 'C' logo. Although unavailable through Chanel's official website, this bag is listed on resale platforms like Fashionphile for approximately $6,000.
Leavitt paired this new acquisition with a form-fitting black dress while attending Deputy Chief of Staff Daniel Scavino Jr.'s wedding at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month, accompanied by her husband Nicholas Riccio. Springsteel Dupree explained the exclusivity of such Chanel pieces: 'A small light pink Chanel top handle bag is extremely hard to get because Chanel often reserves these feminine seasonal colors and mini sizes for top clients. While they do occasionally appear in boutiques or at retailers like Saks, they're so in demand that securing one typically requires strong purchase history.'
Loranger echoed this assessment of Chanel's distribution strategy: 'I do know that Chanel has rather tight production quantities and controls distribution to various regions rather closely. There are currently bags like this one on sites like Rebag. I don't think that it would be impossible to get one, but you'd probably have to do some legwork and be willing to pony up $5k.'
Gucci Pieces: Completing the Luxury Portfolio
Leavitt's designer collection extends beyond French luxury houses to include several Gucci pieces. While attending the US Open in New York with President Trump in August, she accessorized a white wrap jumpsuit with the $3,200 Gucci Web Dionysus Medium bag, featuring a cream base with distinctive blue-and-red stripes, bamboo handle, and silver snake emblem buckle. Although this specific style is no longer produced by Gucci, it remains available through resale platforms like The RealReal.
Leavitt has owned this particular Gucci bag for several years, having been photographed with it during summer 2023 against the scenic New Hampshire coastline near her hometown. She also possesses a black version of the Dionysus bag, which she paired with a dark purple velvet dress for a December 2022 wedding.
Springsteel Dupree analyzed Leavitt's Gucci choices: 'The Gucci Dionysus is one of the brand's icon bags, introduced under former creative director Alessandro Michele and named after the Greek god associated with duality and bold expression. Carrying it, especially in a striped or statement version, suggests she's comfortable leaning into fashion‑forward pieces with personality, not just classic staples.'
Fashion Choices and Political Messaging
Springsteel Dupree noted that Leavitt's selection of luxury accessories appears deliberate rather than trend-driven: 'Her avoidance of brands like Goyard or Dior suggests she isn’t chasing the it‑bag circuit among the elite set. Instead, she gravitates toward houses whose pieces feel consistent with her own aesthetic which is heritage‑driven, without leaning overly decorative.'
As Leavitt marks her first full year in office, her fashion choices continue to generate discussion about the intersection of personal style, political messaging, and public perception in the high-stakes environment of White House communications.
