I Know You Have Classic Taste If You're Carrying This Elegant Handbag Style

If you appreciate a good handbag as much as I do, you probably agree that the right bag has the power to completely change your outfit. And with winter here, I spent the last few weeks on the lookout for the newest it bag that will dominate the fashion scene. But after hours of browsing my favourite brands and the feeds of my favourite fashion influencers, it turns out that the trending silhouette is not actually new by any means, but rather a classic style that elegant dressers have been championing for years. Enter the top-handle bag.

What is a Top-Handle Bag?

A top handle bag is a silhouette that has one or two short handles on the top. The design was first made popular in the 1920s as a functional accessory, but soon had a resurgence in the 60s due to fashion icons such as Audrey Hepburn, often in small boxy iterations.

Nowadays, top-handle bags come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, fabrications and colours for you to choose from, but true to my minimalist sense of dressing, I have my eye on more classic styles that will stand the test of time in my wardrobe.

Because of the short handles, these bags are designed to be carried by hand, and although this classy style cannot fit over the shoulder, don’t fear, as most modern iterations are sold with an attachable crossbody strap for ease. And the best part? The refined handbag shape will look expensive at any and every price point.

Keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best top-handle handbags for winter 2026, and beyond.

Shop the Best Top-Handle Bags

What to Look for

When searching for the best top-handle bag to invest in, price, quality, versatility, and the longevity of each piece in your wardrobe are all factors to consider. If you’re looking on the high end of the price scale, I would recommend bags made from natural fabrics such as leather and suede to get more for your money and ensure it lasts. There are plenty of natural fabrications available on the high street, but if your budget is a bit tighter, make sure you’re investing in expensive-looking synthetic materials.

Another key aspect to look for is making sure that your top-handle bag is versatile and can therefore last a long time in your wardrobe. If you’re a minimalist, opt for neutral hues and timeless prints such as plaid or animal print. If you tend to stay on the bolder side of dressing, top-handle bags in bolder colours and patterns may be more worth investing in.

How We Chose

As fashion editors who regularly purvey the handbag market, we chose the best top-handle bags by revisiting old editor favourites and scouring new season launches from brands we trust to crown what we wholeheartedly believe to be the best of the best. Factoring these pieces on price, quality, style, versatility and longevity in your wardrobe these are the recommendations we're able to wholeheartedly endorse.

Why Trust Us?

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer handbags—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.