Unexpected brand found in every Westfield Aussie celebs adore

When you picture celebrities, you think of them as wearing luxury brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani or Dior. But they also love this Aussie staple.

When you picture an A-list celebrity, it’s natural to think of them decked out permanently in designer brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani or Dior.

But it seems that some Aussie celebs simply can’t shake the feel of home with numerous stars pictured wearing one iconic brand that can be found in your local Westfield.

Yep, you read that right. It isn’t a label where you have to make an appointment to be seen or there is a security guard out the front making sure only a certain amount of people are in-store at a time to create a feel of exclusivity.

It’s a store loved by teenage girls who want an oversized gym bag that they will never be able to find their books, pens or house keys in - but somehow always manage to track down a stick of gum - or Lower North Shore mums who want to look fun while taking on the corporate world.

It’s our beloved Country Road.

Jacob Elordi carrying a Country Road bag in 20121. Picture: BACKGRID

In 2021, Australia’s then-budding acting darling Jacob Elordi was pictured in West Hollywood digging through his Country Road tote bag after leaving the gym.

He was wearing a mask and sunglasses – a sign of the times.

The bag has been a staple of the brand for years. For a period of time in high school you were either someone who carried a Sportsgirl gym bag, a Country Road bag or a Nike bag.

It was a status symbol in a way, as so many schoolyard trends are. The Country Road bag was, of course, the most presitgious of the trio.

The actor is known for carrying around bags and as Mia Griffiths, the woman behind TikTok account @ragsnag, said; “I did not care until this exact moment because that is not a Country Road duffel bag, That is a school bag – my school bag from 2010 because as if you’d be caught dead carrying anything else.”

Nicole Kidman, wearing a Country Road jumped, and Keith Urban spotted at a Manly kebab shop in 2022. Picture: manlyseasidekebabs/Instagram

She pointed out the actor even abided by the unspoken rule that you only ever carried the bag on your shoulder through the two short straps and not the longer straps like it was likely designed.

“I scrounged through my Country Road bag, Jacob Elordi scrounges through his and I can guarantee you there is dirt and sand under his finger nails as his hand touches a wet permission slip,” she joked.

“He doesn't even care. He’s a man of the people.”

And Mia truly summed it up in those six words “he’s a man of the people”. As much as we love the glitz and glamour of a celebrity lifestyle, we also love when they are just like us.

For instance Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall was spotted shopping at a Country Road on the Gold Coast just a few weeks back.

Can you imagine after taking a dip in the ocean, you’re walking through the shops to get something to eat while still in your swimmers and thongs only to spot something in a shop window and once you go in to get a closer look you’re brushing elbows with a royal?

Zara Tindall enjoys an Aussie shopping spree at Country Road, Sportsgirl and RM Williams while on the Gold Coast in January. Picture: Media Mode

You have astronomically different lifestyles. You could be a uni student or a stay-at-home mum or a lawyer. Yet you’re still shopping in the same store, perusing over the same items as a member of the Royal Family.

It’s mental – and yet the actor and the royal aren’t the only ones who love the brand. Eric Bana and Nicole Kidman have also been known to rock Country Road.

But, so do everyday Australians. A spokesperson for Country Road told news.com.au that the tote bag Elordi was spotted holding was one of the brand’s most popular items for men and women in 2023.

Eric Bana attends the Sydney premiere of Force of Nature: The Dry 2. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

He was wearing Country Road. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“The bag was one of our top five tote bags for 2023 across both Womens and Mens divisions,” a Country Road spokespoerson told news.com.au.

“We’ve seen Country Road recently spotted on celebrities, including the likes of Jacob Elordi carrying our iconic CR tote bag, Nicole Kidman wearing our heritage sweat in 2022, as well Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall who recently visited Country Road on the Gold Coast.

“More recently, Eric Bana was seen wearing Country Road on the red carpet for his new movie Force of Nature.”