15 Handbag Brands Every Fashion Lover Needs to Know About (2024)

So you're looking to purchase a

new handbag—exciting! Our first words of advice? Don't panic. We get it; it's stressful, especially since there are literally hundreds of great accessory brands on the market and thus thousands of options to sort through. Narrowing your sights down to just a few viable contenders can seem impossible, but we promise it's very doable—and we're confident you're well on your way to finding the *perfect* new handbag.

As the first order of business, ask yourself a few guiding questions to zero in on the right bag for you. Is there a specific style you have in mind? A nostalgic shoulder bag? A crescent-moon-shaped design à la Staud? A cool crossbody? Or what about a material preference? Genuine leather? Nylon? Taking the time to figure out exactly what you're looking for will make narrowing down your mega-wide search exponentially easier.

The global fashion house Coach was founded in New York City in 1941. Over the years, it's steadily maintained its status as a leader in the clothing and accessories scene. You're likely familiar with the brand's double 'C' design (dubbed the Signature Collection), which launched in 2001. But through the years, countless handbags have risen to popularity, one of our new favorites being this ultra-sleek Tabby Bag, an updated take on one of the brand's archived designs from the 1970s.

The Kate Spade brand was born out of necessity. The late Kate Brosnahan Spade founded the brand in 1993 alongside her partner-turned-husband, Andy Spade. In an interview with The Boston Globe in 1999, she implied that she was bored with other handbag brands on the market, frustrated that she couldn't find something fun and feminine. In turn, her brand was anything but ordinary, full of bold colors and unique materials that gave her designs personality. The latter holds true to this day.

Summed up in just two words, Cuyana's handbags are timeless and sustainable. The label's been around since 2011, helmed by cofounders Shilpa Shah and Karla Gallardo. They're produced in small batches to prevent overproduction, and 99 percent of the brand's products are made from sustainably certified materials, like leather certified by the Leather Working Group and recycled plastics.

Most of JW Pei's handbags ring it at under $100, but that's not stopping celebrities from stepping out with its designs (lookin' at you, Lupita Nyong'o and Gigi Hadid). The Los Angeles brand was founded by husband-and-wife duo Yang Pei and Stephanie Li in 2016. In the years since, it's become a social media sensation, loved for its modern-minimalist designs, all of which are made from sustainable vegan materials.

Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro in Vicenza, Italy. Since the very beginning, the luxury Italian label's signature Intrecciato weave technique has been used in different handbag variations, including the famous Padded Cassette. While all of its pieces are undeniably investments, they'll maintain their value over time.

Surely you're familiar with Mango's luxe-looking (yet budget-friendly) clothing range, but when was the last time you checked out its handbags? The Spanish brand—which has been around since 1964—prides itself on its classic, effortlessly chic style and neutral color palette. That same philosophy is present in its extensive range of handbag offerings.

The French luxury fashion house dates back to 1962, founded by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. Its standout handbag designs ooze Parisian sophistication. Standouts are its shoulder bags and clutches crafted from leather and featuring the label's signature (and dare we say sexy) YSL emblem. Another favorite is its canvas Rive Gauche totes, which are a summer necessity.

Tory Burch founded her namesake brand in New York City 2004. The designer is fond of bold colors and luxury details, one of the most famous being its chevron-quilted leather. And, of course, no Tory Burch handbag is complete without the label's signature double T logo.

Those in need of an on-trend handbag for under $100 ought to check out House of Want. All of the brand's designs are made of vegan leather and offer a mix of options for every fashion lover, from minimalist styles like the beige We Multi Task Tote to the maximalist faux pearl and chain-adorned shoulder bag pictured here.

If you're looking to splurge on a luxury leather handbag, it's worth considering Loewe. Founded in 1846, the Spanish luxury fashion house's logo is easily identifiable. Each bag bears its famed anagram of four L’s, and they're unmistakable thanks to their unique styles and shapes—one of many notable creations being the Puzzle Bag, pictured here.

Ever since Marc Jacobs unveiled his spring 1993 grunge collection with Perry Ellis, the fashion designer has been associated with rebellion and eclecticism. His namesake brand's aesthetic favors youthful designs in bold colorways and lively patterns, with some understated and neutral-toned options thrown in to balance the brand's offerings.

Fashion designer Telfar Clemens founded his namesake label in 2005 and unveiled his highly coveted unisex Shopping Bag in 2014. After exploding in popularity in 2020—the same year it earned a spot on Oprah's Favorite Things—it's been near-impossible to keep it in stock. Each bag boasts the brand's signature logo: a "T" inside a "C," a monogram that a schoolteacher gave him when he was a child.

MCM was founded in 1976 by Michael Cromer Munich. The German-born brand is a unique fusion of streetwear and high fashion. Its Cognac Visetos logo print stands out and is present on most of its handbags and apparel. Synonymous with luxury, it's no stranger to celebrities. Case in point: Beyoncé wore a bodysuit decked out in the iconic print in her 2018 "Apesh*t" music video.

Staud was born in 2015, the brainchild of Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto. Its handbags are anything but ordinary, yet highly recognizable among the fashion set. It's evident with each design that the upmost attention was paid to the detail—be it an unexpected shape (see: the fan-favorite Moon Bag) or intricate handiwork—yet the price tags are surprisingly accessible.

There's no denying that Madewell's denim is next-level good, but its genuine leather handbags deserve equal attention. For those new to the brand, it was founded in 1937 as a purveyor of high-quality basics. Its handbag lineup is comprised of supersoft and sustainable leather styles in all shapes and sizes, none of which are overly trendy—basic looks that'll transcend the test of time.