Dresses and skirts are amazing, flowy and comfortable, but they usually have one fatal flaw — no pockets.
An easy and fashionable fix? Grab an adorable handbag on your way out the door, big enough for a wallet and keys or pack a whole picnic in a larger tote that doubles as a fashion statement.
Right now, Gen Z has decided that 90s baguette bags are back, so those brands are a must, along with classic bag brands from your favorite designers, like Kate Spade, Coach, and Hammit.
Regardless if you prefer a crossbody styles, tote or clutch, there’s an “it bag” for you.
See below for the best of the best in the world of bags, along with some options that will become your favorite stylish addition to your wardrobe. No matter what your style is, these splurge-worthy picks will be total keepsakes.
Best Purse Brands
Kate Spade
A household name in the handbag space, every woman needs a Kate Spade bag. The bags are top quality but are accessibly priced considering their craftsmanship, and they often have amazing sales running to make prices even lower. The classic collection is timeless, but keep an eye out for seasonal drops and adorable novelty bags, too.
Knott Medium Satchel
This bag is truly classic, as the name suggests. The middle size is perfect for daily use, and can easily fit a wallet, keys, masks, hand sanitizer and whatever else you need for running errands or a night on the town.
Hudson Large Work Tote
This photo doesn’t do this tote justice, so we strongly suggest looking at it on katespade.com to see it in its full glory. It has a ton of compartments, is made of pebbled leather and comes in four different classic colors. It’s the ultimate work bag. Trust us!
Coach
This brand is iconic, and having a Coach handbag is an important milestone in any collector’s closet. For longtime fans of the brand, the classic “C”-printed bags in browns and tan colors are a hallmark for Coach, so that’s why it’s no surprise that the newer Gen Z generation has come to obsess over the baguette bags with the same pattern. If you aren’t lucky enough to find a vintage bag while thrifting, don’t worry, as Coach still carries this pattern and more.
Brooke Carryall 28
We love the versatility of this handbag and how easily it converts to a crossbody. Made of pebbled leather and featuring multifunctional pockets, it’s great for work, travel and everything in between. Available in four colors and currently on sale, say. hello to your new “it” bag.
Swinger 20
Skinny baguette bags took off this year, and now we get why. Coach did all along, offering this all-black Coach Swinger 20, which is a great staple for any woman’s wardrobe. You can never go wrong with black, but also take a look at this purse in vibrant orchid purple for a pop of color.
Hammitt
Why Hammitt? To start, they are always fashion-forward, releasing a new line for each season that never disappoints. Also, the quality is amazing and with zippers, snaps and other hardware. They’re also super functional for the woman with places to go and things to carry.
Levy
The Levy bag features the strong hardware that the brand is known for, on both sides of the purse in every color. Speaking of colors, shop both the staples and the seasonal shades, while still in stock.
Daniel LRG
The Daniel is a larger bag that knows how to make a statement, inside and out. Made of stunning and supple leather, the gold detailing on the sides of the bag provide just the right amount of punk to make this bag pop.
Doesn’t the name say it all? For handbags of any kind, head over to The Sak and you’ll find the right one. For a more classic look, the bestsellers page is full of great choices in many colors and styles, otherwise, take a look at our top two below.
Los Feliz Leather Tote
This Los Feliz bag in the buttercup yellow color is a must-have, as you’ll blend right in amongst the flowers blooming outside and add a ray of sunshine wherever you go. Made of premium leather, the bag is built to last through the seasons, making it worth the buy.
120 Hobo
This one is extra special, made of recycled materials like ocean-bound plastics, and the lining is made from recycled materials including plastic bottles. The bag comes in the above color, as well as many others from black and navy to more fun blues, purples and more.
Radley London
This handbag company offers designer bags made of premium fabrics without the high price tag that many other brands have. Based in London, they incorporate the upscale fashions of the city with universally loved designs to bring great leather handbags to women across the world.
Museum Street Tote
This classic black bag goes with everything. Featuring pebbled leather and gold hardware, it’s a statement unto itself, comes in a variety of colors and will take you through season to season.
Duke Place Crossbody Bag
This medium sized multiway bag is buttery soft and luxe as can be. Wear it as a crossbody or over the shoulder — you can’t go wrong. There are multiple pockets on the interior, too, and even two grab handles to carry it as a tote.
Dooney & Bourke
We love the looks from this leading fine accessories designer. It never fails to serve gorgeous collections, such as DB75, Saffiano, and Florentine. For those who love luxury leather, fine detail and strategically placed hardware, it’s the brand to know for those who love looks that marry sophistication with modern flare.
Described as a “durable darling,” we’re fanatical about this crossbody bag. The natural grain textured leather has an elevated quality compared to the smooth variety, while the exterior pocket is perfect for a few cards. The interior space is large enough for a wallet and phone, and we like using the inner zip pocket for some extra cash and storing our lip liner. Available in 11 different colors.
We love how budget-friendly this purse clutch is. We like it for not only our cash, but cards, a sample size perfume or even a few of our stack rings. Even though it’s small, it has plenty of card slots (six, to be exact), so you really can leave your wallet at home. Like the Pebble Grain Saddle Bag Crossbody, the texture of the leather is simply divine and reason to buy alone.
Marc Jacobs
Ever the trendsetter, Marc Jacobs can always be trusted to bring us innovative designs with a modern edge. A must consider for those who love a statement piece, the bags from the designer are made to standout.
If you like color options, you’ll love this tote bag. Cobalt, lipstick pink, limoncello are just three available! Other reasons to grab while you can? Hmm, the storage space, removable strap, and the full grain leather come to mind. While it may not be for everyone, we simply love the bold design.
Say hello to your official party bag. It’s small but not too small, sparkly, and is just the thing to pair with your LBD. Featuring J Marc hardware in the front and with a top zip closure, you’ll receive compliments on it all night long. The bag is also available in gold, as well as black.
Givenchy
Hail to one of the fathers of designer goods. Since 1952, the Fresh style house has graced us with elegant designs, ready-to-wear pieces and inspired looks. While we’re partial to the dresses from the brand, as well as the perfume, we also love its handbags. Even when wearing a plain pair of jeans, each completely elevates an assemble as only the right accessory can.
Quilted calfskin leather and golden finished metal is what we love about this shoulder bag. Its flap with a 4G magnetic metal clasp truly makes it a statement piece, so we suggest going easy on the other accessories. We can’t think of anything better to dress up a pantsuit or pair of women’s jeans with.
We’ll probably never get over a large purse, which is why we’re partial to box bags. They can fit everything, including an e-reader, chunky wallet — you name it. And they’re always better when they’re from this designer. We love the pentagonal patch detail, as well as its rich burgundy color.
We turn to Valentino when we’re craving an ultra feminine look. Soft lines, curves, some sparkle — you know, the good stuff. And while it sounds like we’re talking about the designer’s dresses, we really are talking about its bags. Each are so beautiful, perfect for special occasions or as a little treat-yourself style pick-me-up.
Whether worn as a shoulder bag or held like a clutch, this small hobo bag will give you a luxe look. Made in Italy and designed from soft leather, the subtle moon shape has us seeing stars. Large enough for daytime use but dainty enough for date night, expect to get a lot of use out of it.
We love of the look of this bag so much that we almost feel bad wearing it. However, we totally will, because it is gorgeous! Armed with protective feet, antique-metal-finish hardware and an adjustable chain strap, it’s available in five colors.
Fendi
This brand needs no explanation, as any handbag or fashion aficionado will recognize Fendi from a mile away. If you don’t happen to live in Rome, luckily for you, Saks Fifth Avenue has a bunch of bags in stock, from smaller clutches to bigger statement bags.
Sunshine Medium Fabric Shopper
This bag brings the sunshine, even on a cloudy day, The fabric shopper is made of a light wool-blend flannel material, with the Fendi logo front and center on the bag stitched in leather.
Karligraphy Leather Crossbody Bag
Who doesn’t like a glossy leather crossbody? This one also has two interior pockets, gold hardware, and a spot for credit cards. Supplies are limited, so grab while you can.
This is another super-recognizable brand, and not just because of the iconic logo on the front of many of their bags. Tory Burch bags are timeless, and even the new seasonal collections can really be worn any time of the year and for years after their launch, making them worth the investment. Luckily, even the new styles are sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, so you can get your hands on a handbag without leaving your home.
Mini Ella Bio Tote
This one you’ve undoubtedly seen on the streets of the city or on the pages of the magazines. The tote comes with the logo front and center on the bag, coming in black and taupe.
Miller Leather Shoulder Bag
This substantial size bag is so perfect we can’t believe we’ve survived without it. The bag is made with quilted leather, complete with gold hardware and the Tory Burch logo.
Mansur Gavriel
With its dedication to quality and unique form, Mansur Gavriel bags are loved by celebrities, as well as those who fancy quiet but expressive luxury. From its inception in 2013, people have gravitated toward the brand’s showstopper silhouettes, and the way they make it easy to highlight personal style without being garish or loud.
It’s easy to overstuff a bucket bag, which is why we like them on the smaller side. This one has more than enough room for essentials, as well as daily wants, but doesn’t feel clunky at our side. Made from 100% Italian saffiano leather, we feel simply elegant walking through downtown with it on our arm.
Designed to accommodate a 13 inch laptop, we love the idea of using this tote for work. Made of vegetable tanned leather, it’s available in three different colors, holds all you need and looks good doing it. Best of all, since it’s vegetable tanned, it will age like fine wine, so you can enjoy it for years to come.
Senreve
What’s better than Italian leather goods? Senreve knows quality when they see it, and that’s why a bag from them is a must. The brand features many different sizes of their bags, sorted on their site by grande, petite and in the accessories section. Keep an eye out for the itty bitty bags that fit AirPods and that’s it.
Aria Belt Bag
Why choose between accessories when you could have them all in one. The belt bag is one of their bestsellers. For the spring, they now have even more colors to choose from. You can also choose the type of leather you want, from pebbled, mimosa, dolce, dragon and mixed leather.
Midi Maestra
This bag is a masterpiece. For something a bit bigger than the belt bag, opt for this midi size, that is great for a day on the town or a night out, holding all your necessities. It can also be worn four ways, from a backpack to a crossbody and a satchel to a tote.
Furla
Minimal, sophisticated and pure luxury — that’s Furla. In 1927, the fashion house began gracing the world with its fine accessories for women and hasn’t stopped since. Its bags feature beautiful colors, rounded shapes, and feel timeless as much as they do modern.
Furla Flow
With a generous size and lots of storage, the Furla Flow Top Handle is a glamorous everyday bag. It has more than enough room to carry your essentials, and is made of sumptuous soft leather. It can be carried as a basic purse or worn over the shoulder with its strap. And if we do say so ourselves, the craftsmanship is unreal.
Unica Furla Crossbody Mini
Inspired by the bucket bag, this mini crossbody actually has a decent amount of space inside. We love how it nestles across the body when being worn and the way it can make a pair of jeans and basic tee look utterly polished.
Prada
We can’t tell you if the devil wears Prada, but we can tell you that you should. The iconic label can always be counted on to deliver luxe and stylish designs, including handbags. The designer is currently reintroducing looks from its beloved 1995 collection and we (and our closets) are here for it.
Re-Edition 1995 Chain Large Re-Nylon Bag
Made from regenerated nylon yarn, this bag is a blend of casual and edgy. Featuring a metal chain and the designer’s logo, it also has a zippered closure to keep valuables safe. Looks amazing with a LBD, as well as a pantsuit or your favorite pair of jeans.
Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Mini-Bag
Made up of 83 pieces, the mini-bag showcases innovation and craftsmanship. Its adjustable strap detaches for days you’d rather carry as a tote, and there’s also a detachable key ring made of soft leather. Available in four colors, we bet you have a hard time deciding which one to go with.
Burberry
Maybe you own one or two of Burberry’s perfumes or even a coat, but we think you need to throw a bag into the mix. Known for its checkered prints, believe us when we say that the brand delivers far beyond the recognizable print. This season, in particular, is filled with fun and unexpected looks, as well as utilitarian styles. You’ll be delighted and surprised at all the goodies you find.
Trench Crossbody Bag
We love how understated this crossbody bag is. Our choice for casual days about town, it has a fold-over top with metal closure, side-B shaped straps and an interior slip pocket for your phone and cards.
Small Knight Bag
How cool is this number? It works well for an evening out, and has an interesting slouchy shape. We love the large pieces of metal hardware, and the fact that the bag converts from a crossbody to a tote.
Dagne Dover
Newer to the purse game, this female-founded company is very popular. Started in 2013, they design bags to solve problems, from having ample storage and organizational systems to giving back to the community through charity programs with Black Lives Matter, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Fair Fight, BEAM, CDC Foundation, Feeding America, Save the Children and Stop AAPI Hate.
Signature Tote
The Signature Tote is a must-have for its streamlined look and storage, with the name really saying it all. The bag also comes in black and two different gray tones, all of which are made of coated canvas and leather trim.
Vida Cotton Tote Bag
This cotton tote bag is made with 100% organic cotton, making for a fashionable and responsible tote. Plus the two front pockets and wipeable interior make it practical, too.
Betsey Johnson
Betsey is the queen of all things fun, flirty and funky, and that applies to handbags as well. Known for neon pops of pink, contrasting patterns and lots of sparkles, her pieces are one-of-a-kind and sure to make the best kind of fashion statement.
Kitch Million Stars Phone Bag
Call us if you want a great bag recommendation. Betsey Johnson is know for her fun and playful bags, and this bejeweled phone bag is surely that. The coolest part? You can make and receive calls wirelessly via your actual cell phone.
Skullicious Box Bag
Want a more everyday purse? Then this one is for you, as it combines the fun shapes true to the brand with a black quilted exterior to be paired with any outfit, all sealed with golden accents to add some flashiness.
Longchamp
The Longchamp tote has been around for a long time, so if you don’t have one yet (or need a new color), the time is now. There are actually quite a few available on Nordstrom Rack’s site, meaning that prices are slashed to the lowest we’ve seen for crossbody bags, backpacks and the classic totes, too.
Le Pliage Original
This bag has been everywhere, from runways to high school hallways. We love the classic style of the Le Pilage Original, coming in an array of colors and even some in recycled fabric.
Le Foulonne M Tote Bag
Basic black is nice, but we really love this tote in navy (shown above). It’s roomy, modern and just thing every girl needs on her arm.
Guess
Guess what? This iconic brand is still one of the best, founded in 1981. The brand sells denim, clothing and shoes, but the bags are a must-have for any collector or those that want a reliable and fashionable purse for any season.
Silvana Compartment Mini Tote
This handbag won’t be for everyone but for those who like to live dangerously and fun with their fashion, it’s a must-grab. It has a ton of storage, too, plus is made of faux leather and features the Guess logo, bold and center.
G James Girlfriend Satchel
Guess also knows how to add color to any outfit. The green faux leather croc bag is a true stunner, bringing life to the drabbest outfit. Pair with an LBD to whoa. Available in two other colors.
ALDO
ALSO is synonymous with shoes, but did you know they sold handbags, too? You probably did, as these bags are all over, since they are fashionable and affordable, with many priced between $50 and $80.
Rhiladiaax Crossbody Bag
Snag this new crossbody before it blows up. The black and gold bag is new to the site and perfect for fall and into winter as the bag you take on date night or even into the office.
Barbietphndl
If you’re still into the Barbiecore trend, you’ll love this bubblegum pink bag. It’s covered in rhinestone embellishments, has an easy magnetic snap closure and removable strap.
Michael Kors
Michael Kors has made a name for himself in fashion, namely in the handbag space. The MK logo is one to watch for, on a large carryall or on a smaller handbag, all sold on his site as well as at most major department stores and online retailers, like Macy’s where we found these bags below.
Jet Set Charm Small Phone Crossbody
Get ready to jet with just your phone and maybe a lipgloss. This mini bag is great for when you want to travel light but in style, coming in white as well as in six other shades.
Hadleigh Large Leather Tote
One classic tote to rule them all! That’s what we think of whenever we see this leather Michael Kors bag. It doesn’t have a lot of pockets (only one to be exact) but the purse is deep, giving plenty of room for the thickest wallet, a notebook, snacks and makeup.
Hobo
For classic, easy and impeccably crafted leather bags, you head to Hobo. They specialize in leather handbags as well as accessories like wallets and cardholders to go with, each made in new seasonal colors as well as in staples like tan, black and more.
Sheila Medium
Call Sheila and tell her we love this bag. The medium size is great for a day out of the house, and has a smartphone pocket as well as three more slip pockets, a zipper pocket and even one for your pen.
Tripp Tote
This could be the king of all leather totes. The Tripp is a large bag that can easily fit your laptop, as well as other items to bring to the beach for a boho look or into the office with sophisticated style.
Amazon The Drop
Amazon is a great place to find a bag, and at great prices you won’t find elsewhere. They know what’s trending, from crocheted bags to mini crocodile-skin cross-bodies.
Avalon Small Tote
The Avalon is an everyday bag with unique style. It opens up into a tote bag, but then loops around into a cute and compact bag in an array of fun colors.
Alora Crochet Small Tote
Crochet is super in right now, which is why The Drop has this perfect bag. It comes in hot pink as well as in green and yellow, adding color to every outfit.
What is the best brand of purse to buy?
When it comes to fashion, the best of anything is often relative to one’s personal taste. However, there are a myriad of brands that remain popular, such as Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Coach. Along with being recognizable names in the fashion industry, each designer never fails to bring a fresh perspective to their classic style house, which seems to resonate with shoppers.
Many women love Kate Spade’s Knott Medium Satchel ($209) for its easy to carry design, as well as for the storage it offers. We love it for all the color options it comes in, as well as its exterior, which is made from a combo of Italian and pebbled leather.
The Lana 23 ($395) is a bestseller at Coach and has a sophisticated look with its delicately slouchy sides and spacious interior. We like carrying it as a handbag, but it also has a strap to wear it crossbody style.
What brand of handbags are trending?
Handbags are a great way to follow trends without completely redoing your wardrobe. They can also dress up a basic outfit, making one look effortlessly polished and of the now.
Currently, a lot of fashionable folks are searching Furla Handbags, which start around $238. The Italian luxury brand has been around since 1927, and has been a trusted name when it comes to designer purses and accessories.
If you love designer handbags, but are watching your coins, consider shopping places like Fashionphile and FarFetch for certified, pre-owned designer finds. You’ll be shocked by what you find, as well as the excellent condition of this fashion collectibles.
Another great place to find trending designer purses is Amazon. The online retailer’s The Shop by shopbop has a huge section of pre-loved handbags, such as The Small Tote ($395) from Marc Jacob and the Tory Burch Women’s Eleanor Satchel ($798).
What are the best luxury purse brands?
If you’re searching for the creme de la creme of handbags, there are a handful of designers that continue to be well regarded in the fashion industry. While many of the pieces are investments, lots of ladies find it almost a right of passage to have at least one “big girl bag” from one of them.
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