A Look into the It Bag of the Noughties: The Marc Jacobs Stam Bag

By Alexus Mosley

If one were to deem the noughties the era of retro-chic, they wouldn’t be incorrect. Celebrated for its maximalism, the decade from 2000-2009 gave way to several bold micro-trends birthing many now nostalgic fashion moments such as Nicole Richie’s boho-chic, referred to today as Indie-sleaze, and the low-rise jeans, candy-colored graphic tees combo worn by everyone from Pop Stars like Britney Spears to socialites Nicky Hilton alike. Accompanying most of these looks at one point or another was the Marc Jacobs Stam Bag.

First making its runway debut as a part of the Fall 2005 collection, the bag received its name from Jessica Stam, the superstar, doll-faced Canadian model who in 2007 took home a spot on Forbes World's 15 Top-Earning Supermodels list after earning 1.5 million dollars in a year. With a quilted texture evocative of a Chanel flap bag, the Jacob-fied approach of compiling high-quality material, a classic shape, unique design details, and colors, made the Stam Bag an iconic style-defining accessory of the decade. Spotted on the arms of noughties mega It Girls like Beyoncé, Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Tisdale, Lauren Conrad, and Rihanna, the vintage-inspired quilted bag complete with a metal chain and coin purse closure quickly became a red carpet staple.

Though initially the Stam bag was discontinued in 2013, it was recently brought out of retirement after Marc Jacobs released a re-edition in March of 2023. In a star-studded campaign photographed by Hayley Weir and styled by Alastair McKimm, the 2000s It Bag made its comeback in the arms of early aught icons Paris Hilton, Selma Blair, Ashanti, and Ashlee Simpson, playing right into everyone’s obsession with nostalgia. Listed on the official Marc Jacobs website as “The Quintessential Quilted Bag of the 2000s,” the new Stam bag now comes in two sizes. The regular-sized Stam bag costing $1,495 is available in camel, black, and cloud white while the little Stam is available in Rose for $995.