Sure, I have a closet full to the brim with black handbags I've collected over the years but 1. They give me joy, 2. They're investments, and 3. None of them are really doing it for me right now and it's been a minute since I treated myself. OK, maybe that last part was a lie—I treat myself way too often—but the truth is I have rarely if ever regretted the purchase of a timeless black bag. Even if they sit on my closet shelf for months or years, I always know they will come back and, like clockwork, they always do.
Case-in-point Saint Laurent's new Mombassa bag that my mom has a decades' old version of in her closet already—and thankfully she bought black! Now I just have to fight my two older sisters for it. Anyway, back to the topic at hand, I'm shopping for a new black bag to wear in the day time both super casually and when I want to look put-together. My requirements are simple, seasonless (so no suede or raffia), low-key without any overbearing logo moments, and just overall chic and cool and 2026-feeling. Luckily the options are aplenty right now and a whopping 25 made my initial list. To see and shop them all, simply keep scrolling and wish me luck choosing just one.
I saw this on one of our editors and was instantly in love.
I've wanted this one for a while.
It's what to wear to work.
How could one not want it?
This brand is the next big thing.
I'd take it in any color, to be honest.
The chicest.
The aforementioned It-bag.
I'm trusting the reviews on this one.
Simplicity is key.
All the tiny details make it perfect.
I love an east-west bag.
My sister has this and I've considered stealing it on multiple occasions.
I tried this on at the store and its even better in person!
It looks five times it's price.
Tory doesn't play.
A forever buy.
Oh, and it's silk!
This brand is doing it right.
The lock just makes it.
Put a check next to goes with everything.
It looks slim but fits so much.
One of many Toteme bags on my wish list.
Kylie wore this once and I haven't gotten over it since.
The tonal logo is perfection.