Annie Georgia Greenberg, New York editor
"The Hervé Chapelier tote (pronounced har-vee shap-ell-leer in New Jersey, hollaback 9-0-8!) was the choice way to carry your books (and lip gloss collection) in the hallways. And, okay, so maybe it wasn't an It bag but it was definitely the middle school must have — it was practical, it was color-blocked, it bore an European label — and I needed it. My chance came on a family vacation to Paris when my sister and I scored big, scooping up a navy and pink tote, a light blue and dark blue beach bag, and a peach-colored mini backpack (needless to say, I ruled for at least a solid 45 minutes). While I'm no longer the proud owner of any of these bags, my family still uses the beach bag, and come to think of it, that mini backpack might be making a comeback... if only I could find it at my parents house."

Hervé Chapelier tote, $125, available at Hervé Chapelier.