Designer handbags are now a steep investment, and while we're all for treating yourself to a Chloé Nile or a Gucci Dionysus if you can, many of us just can't imagine spending £1000 or more on one fashion item. Part of the genius of Mansur Gavriel's now iconic bucket bags was the price point, as in 2014, there were surprisingly few labels that created luxury bags for under £1000.
Five years later, mid-priced designer handbags have become a booming business—especially as the price of It bags continues to escalate to be more than most of our rent money. There are a number of buzzed-about labels following in Mansur Gavriel's path, creating beautifully crafted handbags around the £300 to £400 mark. They are still an investment, of course, but one that is more realistic for those of us not on investment-banker salaries, and they won't require months (or even years) of saving. Scroll below to see our edit of the best designer handbags for under £700.
It usually takes new brands a couple of years to chip away at the steely gates of the fashion industry, but Amsterdam-based brand Wandler made an impact before it even launched in 2017.
London-based brand Danse Lente dropped on Net-a-Porter straight after it launched, which is quite the feat. It has been an Instagram hit—and has featured in Eva Chen's iconic pose.
Cult brand Staud doesn't just create handbags, but the minimal buckets, Shirley canvas totes and Net Rey bags are certainly its hero pieces.
British accessories brand C.Nicol was founded in 2015 and creates clean and minimal leather bags—the buckets in black and tan in particular have been influencer favourites.
Istanbul-based handbag label Manu Atelier was founded by sisters Merve and Beste Manastir. The box-shaped Pristine, the brand's signature silhouette, is now available in a rainbow of colours. Chances are that if you've been anywhere near Instagram over the past 12 months, you'll have spotted a Pristine in at least one of your favourite bloggers' pictures.
Related: 8 Mid-Priced Brands That Are Huge on the Scene Right Now
British brand Meli Melo was set up in 2005 and creates elegant and timeless totes, which have been carried by the likes of Kate Moss, Olivia Palermo, Lucy Williams and more. The Santina bucket bag is a fashion Instagrammer favourite, and it is a style that you'll love for years and years.
Chylak is emerging as one of the key new influencer favourites, as we keep spotting the belt bags on our favourite fashion faces, including Alexa Chung.
Related: Don't Panic, But These 3 Zara Bags Look 10 Times More Expensive
Little Liffner's founder, former fashion consultant Paulina Liffner von Sydow, was intent on creating expensive-looking handbags that all fall under £500. The Stockholm-based brand has a clean, minimal aesthetic, and the non-shouty handbags have been picked up by Net-a-Porter.
We expect big things from British brand Yuzefi, as it only launched at London Fashion Week in 2016, but it is already becoming a name to be dropped within fashion circles. In particular, we love the Dip colour-block bag, which comes in under £600.
Straw basket bags aren't going anywhere anytime soon, and if you're looking for a quality style, then you can't beat Muun's ever-so-pretty baskets, which are handwoven in Ghana and then finished in an atelier in Paris. But be warned: These keep selling out almost instantly.
11. Susan Alexanra
Susan Alexandra's playful beaded bags have been a street style mainstay this year. Designer Susan Alexandra creates handmade beaded bags in the happiest colours she can find, and sometimes even adds mini strawberries and clementines on top to make them even more fun.
12. Wicker Wings
Brother and sister Belinda and James Yu discovered that their grandmother created handwoven wicker baskets in China before she moved to England. This inspired them to create their own basket bags using the traditional techniques their grandmother followed.
13. J&M Davidson
J&M Davison is one of our favourite brands for classic leather handbags. The Gabby, which Tiffany Hsu is wearing above, is one of our personal favourites.
14. Mulberry
It might not be the youngest brand on the block, but Mulberry has everything you could want from a bag: heritage credentials and style kudos. Alongside the pricier classics, there are plenty of affordable offerings, such as the Mini Keeley.
Next up, see our guide to the autumn/winter 19 trends you need to know.
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