We're going to kick things off with a bold statement: What defines a designer handbag has changed. Yes, Chanel, Gucci, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, etc. come to mind first, but there are so many incredible midpriced, more under-the-radar labels designing It bags these days that there are a lot more designer bags to chose from than there were, say, a decade ago. And not one of those goes unnoticed by us, so we took it upon ourselves to compile a list of the best designer bags of 2018, just in case you're in the market for one more bag purchase this year (or are just curious).
Among the best of the best are picks from the big guns like The Row and Balenciaga, but also cult-favorite designers like Staud and Shrimps and brand-new brands like By Far, which quickly rose to cult status in 2018. There were a lot of changes in the fashion industry over the last 12 months, but one fact remains: Designers made some incredible bags this year. Keep scrolling to shop the cream of the crop.
Rejina Pyo
Neutral Olivia Snakeskin Embossed Leather Box Bag
This unique bag has been a street style favorite since its release this year.
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The Row
Double Circle Small Leather Tote
We don't think this The Row bag will ever go out of style.
Wandler
Luna Color-Block Leather Shoulder Bag
Everything Wandler makes is gold, but this one might be our favorite yet.
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Staud
Shirley Bag
Staud has the affordable-It-bag market on lock, and this is the style that was everywhere this year.
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Gucci
Laminated Leather Mini Bag
This candy-colored confection of a bag is the fashion version of love at first sight.
Paco Rabanne
Iconic Chain-Mail Shoulder Bag
Emily Ratajkowski and Kate Moss carried this bag on repeat this year.
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Chloé
Tess Small Leather Cross Body Bag
This new Chloé bag was carried by so many influencers throughout the most recent fashion month.
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Fendi
Kan I Small FF-Embossed Crossbody Bag
As you know, the Fendi logo saw a major resurgence this year.
Shrimps
Antonia Faux Pearl Embellished Bag
As long as they keep making this Sprimps bag in different colors (the first iterations came out in 2017), fashion girls will keep buying them.
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Versace
Icon Medium Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag
With the domination of the '80s look in fashion this year, Versace had a timely comeback. This bag offers a modern take on the brand's signature aesthetic.
Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh
Small Python-Stamped Leather Crossbody Bag
Off-White has made the perfect bag to go with streetwear looks.
Mansur Gavriel
Duffle Mini Leather Shoulder Bag
We didn't know we needed a mini duffle bag until we saw this one.
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Balenciaga
Ville XXS AJ Printed Textured-Leather Tote
There's nothing subtle about this Balenciaga logo bag (except maybe its size).
By Far
Mini Patent-Leather Tote
By Far bags became an instant hit this fall, and this micro-tote is already everywhere.
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Givenchy
GV3 Small Suede and Leather Cross Body Bag
It doesn't get more polished than this Givenchy number.
Susan Alexandra
Ash Bag
Who would've guessed that colorful beaded bags would become the It bags of summer 2018?
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Prada
Nylon Double Zip Belt Bag
Does Kendall Jenner pop into your mind when you see this belt bag, or is it just us?
Cult Gaia
Angelou Small Tasseled Crochet and Resin Clutch
Name a more original bag on the market right now.
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Chloé
Drew Bijou Mini Embroidered Leather Shoulder Bag
Chloé's Drew bag was reinvented this year, and it's even better than before.
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Carolina Santo Domingo
Amphora Mini Bag
This polished mini bag was on the arm of so many fashion insiders this year.
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Alexander Wang
Micro Mini Genuine Mink Fur Clutch
Leave it to Alexander Wang to design a bag that so perfectly captures the "extraness" of 2018.
Allyson is a senior editor forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.