Are JW Pei’s Viral, Celebrity-Approved Bags Worth the Hype? Here’s Our Honest Review
Five Cosmo editors put a few celeb-loved styles to the test.
Whether they’re gracing Oprah’s Favorite Things list or slung over the arms of stars like Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Selena Gomez, it’s safe to say that JW Pei bags are absolutely everywhere. The brand is a favorite among celebrities and Cosmo editors for its trendy designs that are easy on the eyes (and on the wallet—most cost around $100). But as with all things internet-famous, I was curious to see if these chic purses look as nice IRL as they look on my Instagram feed.
To find out, I recruited four fellow editors to test-drive a selection of JW Pei’s most sought-after styles—from the Oprah-approved Harlee Shoulder Bag to the Hana Tote, a newer silhouette that channels the look of Demellier’s New York tote. We carried them everywhere: out to dinner, on shopping runs, and even into the office. Then we compared notes, rating each bag on appearance, quality, and comfort. We also put them through a packing test to see how much they can actually fit. Keep reading for our honest reviews.
Between the turn-lock clasp detail and structured silhouette, this bag offers the polished look of a Birkin at a literal fraction of the price. What’s more, Jenna Ortega wore it to one of her movie premieres in January, so it’s celebrity-approved.
- Colors available: 4
- Dimensions: 10.24" W x 6.10" H x 4.72" D
- Internal pockets: 2
Editor review: “I took this little number out for a day of shopping, and it made me feel so classy. I love how it has two main compartments with different kinds of closures—I put my keys and ID on the twist lock side so they’d be more secure, and my phone and lip gloss on the magnet side for easy access. My only complaint is that I wish the faux leather had a pebbled texture to make it look even more expensive.”—Lauren Gruber, commerce editor
A bag so cute and functional, even Oprah named it among her 2025 Favorite Things. The Harlee Shoulder Bag is a great companion for a night out, thanks to its sleek, asymmetrical silhouette and zipper closure that’ll keep your belongings secure.
- Colors available: 13
- Dimensions: 11.02" W × 4.33" H × 1.65" D
- Internal pockets: 1
Editor review: “I’m obsessed with bags with an interesting silhouette, so the Harlee immediately caught my eye. I wore it out to dinner and got so many compliments, especially on the rich burgundy shade. It fit all my essentials—phone, keys, earbuds, and more—without feeling overstuffed. The vegan leather feels surprisingly luxe and durable. A small detail I loved: the ring connecting the strap is actually a clip, so you can add bag charms for a personalized vibe.”—Anvita Reddy, commerce editor
Thanks to its slouchy-yet-structured shape and luxe faux suede fabric, this tote looks way more expensive than its under-$150 price tag. Throw it over your shoulder for a day spent running errands—it’s roomy enough to fit your book, wallet, and lippie combos.
- Colors available: 18
- Dimensions: 6.93" W x 9.84" H x 5.31" D
- Internal pockets: 1
Editor review: “This tote has quickly become my go-to for weekend outings. The handles are long enough to wear over the shoulder or carry by hand. I was surprised by how luxe the faux suede looks and feels. I wish it had more than one interior pocket, but it’s still quite spacious. It fits my sunglasses, wallet, phone, handheld mirror, cosmetics pouch, and even a mini fan.”—Shauna Beni-Haynes, senior commerce editor
The Aria is the ultimate cool-girl purse, thanks to its unfussy, slouchy design and Western-inspired hardware. Its surprisingly capacious interior can fit an iPad, water bottle, camera, and plenty more. Plus, it’s got an interior zip pocket to keep your card case and earbuds within reach.
- Colors available: 8
- Dimensions: 11.42" W x 12.99" H x 4.72" D
- Internal pockets: 1
Editor review: “I’ve been eyeing a similar bag from a designer brand and this feels just as luxe for a fraction of the price. It’s SO soft and the hardware has some heft to it. I’m happy to report this bag can fit not only a book, but my Kindle, my iPad, and a small makeup bag, plus my everyday essentials. I was initially worried that this didn’t have a zipper, but the magnet provided enough peace of mind. The fringe and horseshoe buckle add a touch of Western flair that pairs nicely with my cowboy boot collection. Despite having only one strap, it doesn’t slide down and never feels too heavy!”—Madison McGee, commerce editor
This classy little number has sharp corners and a vintage-inspired top handle, so it’ll pair nicely with tailored pieces like trousers and trench coats. Bonus points for the detachable, adjustable drop strap, so you can also style it as a crossbody.
- Colors available: 19
- Dimensions: 10.24" W × 6.5" H × 3.94" D
- Internal pockets: 2
Editor review: “I recently took this bag out to dinner with a friend, and she was shocked when I told her that it was affordable. I like that this one has a removable crossbody strap. I've been able to fit my wallet, keys, Kindle, earbuds, eyeliner, and lip gloss. The one issue was that the snaps required a bit of effort to close, but they were secure once snapped. I’m impressed with the quality and the soft feel of this bag, and love that I've gotten compliments on it.”—Angel Madison, commerce editor
Why trust Cosmo?
Cosmo's team of digital fashion and lifestyle experts have decades of combined experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds—testing many brands IRL—to bring you the best clothing, accessory, home goods, and gadget picks for every season. Basically, we’ve curated the internet to bring you the chicest options like it’s our job (because it is, heh).
For this specific story, Cosmo editors wear-tested and tried some of the best-selling JW Pei bags over a period of time, judging the style, fabric, and durability.
Lauren Gruber is an commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for publications like Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Country Living, House Beautiful, and more. She has over four years of professional experience covering a variety of lifestyle topics from home to fashion, with an advanced background in beauty and fragrance. When she’s not researching the most worthy Prime Day deals or hands-on testing all the latest perfume launches, Lauren is probably hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater. You can find her previous work at Entertainment Tonight, Shop TODAY, USA Today, Self Magazine, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.
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