I'm a Fashion Editor, and These Are My All-Time Favourite Handbag Brands

If you're a woman with a heart that beats for fashion, then it's likely you have a not-so-guilty preference for one particular type of fashion item. Some girls can't resist a new pair of earrings, others find the allure of a fresh jumper all too tempting to avoid. I'd say I'm a "shoe person” and have little to no control when I stumble upon a pair of heels that talk to my innermost desires.
Conversely, being a shoe person has made me really good at buying bags (let me explain). Since I'll fall for almost any fancy piece of footwear that looks at me the right way, I’m far more discerning when it comes to handbags.
This means I'm fussy in many ways. My bags have to be versatile, well-made, current and yet with the potential to last season after season. I don't love them unconditionally just because they're new or pretty; they have to earn a place in my wardrobe. As such, I've become well acquainted with some of the best handbags in the business.
From affordable options that genuinely look more expensive (and won't fall apart after a few wears) to the designer names that are actually worth spending your paycheque on, these are my recommendations for every handbag category…
The Best Luxury Handbag Brands:
First things first: If you're going to spend big bucks, please do so on something that will last. I'm not into putting down a wad of cash on something that will only look current for a season—my clothes, bags and shoes all have to work hard for the money.
With that in mind, I think there are certain luxury brands that are renowned for their top-quality leather goods as well as being able to tap into the fashion zeitgeist and produce something that feels at once current and timeless. Clever.
This designer handbag list could go on forever because it's such a competitive market and there are so many options available, but I have narrowed it down to a mere six to help in your search.
1. Prada
2. Bottega Veneta
3. Demellier
4. Loewe
This Spanish brand is known for its incredible leathers, and it's something that creative director Jonathan Anderson has amped up to the max, creating many It bags since he started at the brand in 2013. The Puzzle bag has been particularly popular again over the past year or so and I can see why—it's so laid back and easy to use.
5. Saint Laurent
6. Gucci
Show me a fashion editor who doesn't have a Gucci bag. Almost every industry person I know has a bit of the GG action in their lives, and for good reason. This brand knows exactly how to created buzzed-about items, but it also knows how to produce a really solid, everyday kind of crossbody mini bag—a holy grail for those of us on the go.
7. Fendi
8. Chloé
Chloé has had more It bags in its time than I've had really hot dinners, and many of those styles from the past still stand up today as a worthwhile investment. Many of the Chloé bags feature quite distinct hardware details and I have to admit, the new Kerala is the kind of bag I'd happily carry year-round forever more.
9. Mulberry
British brand Mulberry is still respected for its top-quality manufacturing and hardworking handbags, but the product offering these days is so much more varied and exciting than it was a decade ago. A steady stream of sensible, covetable handbags all have nods to trends and current details, but every single style—new or old—feels relevant and long-lasting.
10. Hermès
Hermès bags are amongst some of the most expensive in the world due to the incredible craftsmanship behind each and every piece. The French brand's leather goods also tend to retain their value (so long as you don't completely destroy one) and could be considered a very wise investment if you have, oh, you know, £5,000 or more to spare.
11. Celine
12. The Row
The Best Contemporary Handbag Brands:
Elleme's raffia Baozi bag
This is the part of the handbag industry that's been hotting up for years. Hitting around the £300 to £600 mark, new designer brands you can perhaps afford have been cropping up every season. With more to come for the rest of this year, it's clear that both retailers and shoppers are responding with some real zeal.
Once upon a time, this corner of the market was pretty empty (you could maybe get something around this price point from Marc Jacobs or See by Chloé), but now, it's hard to filter my favourites down into something digestible for you and your wardrobe. I've given it my best shot by grouping together the best contemporary bags I've invested in as well as the favourites amongst my fellow editors.
13. Aspinal of London
14. Oroton
15. Wandler
Wandler is perhaps the most popular handbag brand in our office (four people own one). New styles are now filtering in and all of us would be more than happy adding to our collection. I've carried my mini Wandler (in white, might I add) so many times that you'd expect it to be battered, but it still looks perfect.
16. Toteme
Toteme is a go-to brand for minimalist Scandi styles with a contemporary twist, and their bags perfectly nail the aesthetic. Sleek, understated and beautifully made, these are perfect for those who love The Row's minimalism but don't want to pay thousands.
17. Elleme
Elleme is a French brand that I've been in love with for a few years now. I own a couple of its styles — a Baozi and one of these Raisin totes — and get plenty of wear out of both. They're unusual but still plain enough to keep using on repeat, plus they're beautifully manufactured.
18. Dragon Diffusion
Dragon Diffusion's bags are handmade and purposefully created to feel artisanal and unique with slightly wonky silhouettes and an aged patina finish. They're the perfect chuck-everything-in-and-go kind of bags, and French girls are particularly keen.
19. By Far
20. Polène
Best Affordable Handbag Brands:
Buying expensive-looking handbags on the high street is still—even in 2024—really difficult. I think it's best to go one of two ways: Either opt for something really minimal (and ideally made of suede or leather) or choose to indulge the wilder trends and cuter styles on a budget. Sometimes it's tricky to tell whether a beaded bag cost you £500 or £25, for example.
21. COS
22. Mango
24. Charles Keith
25. H&M
26. Baggu
27. Arket
28. Zara
29. Massimo Dutti
30. Topshop
Let's be honest, we were all gutted when Topshop closed its doors back in 2021. But, we weren't without the high-street giant for long, as the brand was then taken over by ASOS. Now, fashion lovers can shop Topshop products online, including their vast collection of very chic—and very reasonably priced—handbags. This shoulder bag looks far beyond it's £26 price tag, don't you think?
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief ofBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. She joined in 2015 when she launched the UK sister site following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine as fashion news and features editor. With experience in print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 18 years of experience as a journalist, editor and content strategist. Her opinion has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com and she is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.
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