We won’t tell you that you need one of the best designer handbags in your closet—but if you’re in the place to buy one, we suggest you buy one that will appreciate in value through the years. It’s not enough to pluck a designer tote bag from your feed, a runway, or an A-lister’s shoulder; you’re better off doing your homework. That’s where we come in: We chatted with the most stylish folks we know, including fashion editors, influencers, and luxury connoisseurs, to discover the designer handbags they carry and love. Plus, we’re sharing everything you need to know about buying your first designer bag, and how to choose one you won’t regret in a year.
Ready to start—or expand—your collection? From cute crossbody bags, to classic designer styles that fashionable people have carried for years, these are the luxury handbags you’ll find in stylish women’s closets right now.
The best designer handbags, at a glance
- Best Investment: Gucci Horsebit 1955 Shoulder Bag, $3,150
- Best Under $500: Kate Spade Suite Large Work Tote, $298
- Best Under $1,000: Tory Burch Romy Tote, $568
- Best Crossbody : Demellier Small Vancouver Crossbody Bag, $465
- Best for Work: Saint Laurent Shopping Bag, $1,500
- Best Designer Tote: Mansur Gavriel Small Leather Zip Tote, $545
- Best for Travel: Longchamp Épure North/South Top Handle Tote, $385
It’s a big purchase. Here’s what to know.
How to choose a designer bag
Designer bags are often—shocker—quite expensive, so it’s a good idea to start by outlining a budget when you’re starting your collection.
“For me, a useful metric is cost per wear. Is this a bag you’ll use daily? Weekly?” says Amy Odell, founder of the fashion newsletter Back Row. “If I have the money saved and I can afford to get something at a luxury price point, I feel more comfortable doing so knowing that, say, it will last me 10 years and be an incredibly functional piece that will also make me feel happy when I’m carrying it.”
High-end pricing often unlocks better, more durable details like distinct, functional designs and smooth, buttery leather. But after a certain point, higher price tags might denote a brand’s exclusivity rather than a handbag’s quality. So, which luxury bag is worth buying? “While a lot of bags that are $10,000 and up get the bulk of media attention, a brand like Loewe makes beautiful large bags for around $3,000; Saint Laurent makes a highly functional black tote for even less,” Odell says.
Designer bags aren’t immune to trends, and the experts we interviewed say it’s best to err on the side of timelessness to maximize your wear. Classic shapes like totes, buckets, crescents, and satchels will never go out of style; they’re also the best investments if you want your bag to appreciate over time. Leather and canvas in neutral colors are your best bet. Trends get involved when bags shrink to unrealistic sizes, contort into highly specific shapes, and come in more in-your-face colors and materials (hello, raffia). There’s nothing wrong with trends, but consider how well a piece will fit into your wardrobe before dropping thousands of dollars on it. (You might even want to wait a season or two to see if you’re still thinking about the bag once it’s out of the spotlight; they might depreciate.) These can also be good investments; the Loewe Puzzle Fold Tote and the Acne Studios Multipocket Bag are popular right now, but don’t look instantly dated.
“You also have to think carefully about what you’re going to carry in your bag,” Odell says. Work bags, for example, should fit a laptop and be structured enough to handle heavy loads. “Think about where you’re going to be putting your bag down. Will you be putting it on the floor often? A locker that may or may not be pristine? Then maybe you want something dark with feet.” One more thing: Check if the hardware matches the tones of jewelry you most often wear, especially if it’s a standout detail on the bag.
Where to buy a designer bag
With purchases this big, make sure you’re doing your due diligence before clicking “buy.” You’re safe ordering from trusted luxury retailers like Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, or Ssense; you can also order directly from many brands to ensure you’re getting the real thing. Designer bags frequently go on sale, but if the price is too good to be true or you’re not quite sure about the site you’re using, it might be best to hold off.
Some brands (like Chanel) and models (like the Hermès Birkin) aren’t sold new online; to get them outside of a boutique, you’ll have to buy them secondhand on the resale market. There are plenty of reputable sources for handbags with a second lease on life: Amazon partnered with What Goes Around Comes Around for its secondhand bag marketplace, and sites like The RealReal, Fashionphile, and Rebag offer authenticated pieces from brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Chloé, and Fendi.
Oh, and one more thing: “Read the care instructions when you get your bag!” Odell says. “Take care of it so it lasts longer. Don’t set it on a radiator or put it away without a dust bag or stuffing. It’s heartbreaking to invest in a new piece you love and then mistakenly harm it.”
Best Investment: Gucci Horsebit 1955 Shoulder Bag
Behind the brand: The Italian luxury fashion house has been making luxury leather goods since 1913.
Known for: The gold horse-bit hardware and iconic red and green stripes, with many timeless handbag styles to choose from.
This Gucci everyday bag was introduced in 2020, but it’s based on an archival design from 1955. (Good taste is timeless.) “I’ve owned this bag for four years now, and it’s still in great condition,” says Samantha Barry, Glamour’s editor-in-chief. “I love the classic, retro vibe it has and the fact that it’s a versatile spring-to-summer bag.” If you’d prefer an option without the house’s iconic monogram canvas, it’s also available entirely in leather.
Best for Work: Saint Laurent Shopping Bag
Behind the brand: Yves Saint Laurent originally founded his brand as an haute couture house. Anthony Vaccarello is the current creative director of the French maison, which is now known as Saint Laurent. (The brand’s perfume is still under the YSL name.)
Known for: Accessories that embody a Parisian cool factor with popular bag styles including Le 5 à 7 hobos and quilted Lou cross-body styles, both embellished with the elegant logo.
There are many high-end tote bags in this world, but few balance brand value and price per wear as expertly as this one. “The Saint Laurent Shopping Bag is, for a luxury item, a good buy at $1,500,” says Amy Odell, founder of the fashion newsletter Back Row. “I like how structured and durable it is.” You could use it for shopping, as the name implies, but it’s especially great for work: There’s enough room (and structure) in the main compartment for a laptop, a change of shoes, a wallet, a book, and anything else you might need in a day.
Best Shoulder Bag: Jacquemus Le Bisou Perle Bag
Behind the brand: Simon Porte Jacquemus founded Jacquemus in 2009 after moving from the South of France to Paris.
Known for: Its tiny colorful bags, like Le Bisou, Mini Chiquito, and Bambino.
“Some Jacquemus bags are a bit too trendy for me, but I love the giant bead on the Le Bisou bag so much that I’m ready to add it to my collection,” says Vogue senior commerce editor Talia Abbas. This staple, shoulder bag can be used for everyday wear and seamlessly transitions from day-to-night, depending on your mood; pair with a crisp button down and trousers for the office or a little black dress for an evening out.
Best Crossbody: DeMellier Vancouver Bag
Behind the brand: Mireia Llusia-Lindh founded DeMellier to offer ethically crafted and responsibly sourced handbags at attainable price points. The collection is designed in London and made in family-owned factories in Spain.
Known for: Modern, sleek styles that can take you from work to weekend.
A favorite of royals like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, DeMellier is an under-the-radar brand that provides a nice counterbalance to houses with more exposure. “The designs always make me feel a little more polished and pulled together, even if I’m just in straight leg jeans,” says Paula Lee, a Glamour fashion contributor and brand consultant. “Currently, I’m hoping for its signature Vancouver style in a light neutral color as we head into the warmer months. More often than not, I use a cross-body, and I’m really into the structured shape, smooth leather, and minimal gold hardware of this one.”
Best Tote: Mansur Gavriel Small Zip Tote
Behind the brand: Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel founded their eponymous label in 2013 to almost instant success; Katie Holmes, Taylor Swift, and Naomi Watts, among many other A-listers, have been spotted in the brand.
Known for: The brand’s hero styles—and its two first products—are its tote bag and its bucket bag, two handbag collection staples. Don’t miss the brand’s stellar wallets and ballet flats, though.
“As a freelance writer, I can (and do) work from everywhere—home, coffee shops, libraries, you name it. So nothing sells me like a bag that can fit both my laptop and Kindle,” says Deanna Pai, a Glamour contributor. “I love this classic tote from Mansur Gavriel, which is spacious enough for everything I need while still being structured enough to take to meetings and appointments. Plus, the color is beautiful and it fits into the Citi Bike baskets, so I can secure when I’m riding around town.”
Best Clutch: Loewe Medium Flamenco Clutch
Behind the brand: This luxury Spanish brand is the eldest in the LVMH portfolio (it was founded in the 19th century), with JW Anderson as the current creative director.
Known for: Its wicker totes and Puzzle bags are bestsellers, though editors and celebs love its Squeeze Tote just as much.
Loewe is the opposite of a newcomer, but there’s been an intense renewed interest in the brand thanks to a plethora of buzzy new bags—chief among them the Flamenco. “I personally love my Loewe Flamenco. I hemmed and hawed over which bag to buy for many years and am very happy with my purchase,” Odell says. “I have traveled with it and I bring it around New York City often, and it’s been great. I love the smaller size, which comes with a chain you can tuck away, as well (though I haven’t purchased one).” This one, meanwhile, converts to a shoulder bag with a leather strap.
Best for Travel: Métier Incognito Large Cabas Tote
Behind the brand: London-based label Métier was launched in 2017 and offers artisanal handcrafted in Italy leather accessories for the modern traveler.
Known for: Its quiet luxury aesthetic that puts premium leather and craftsmanship at the forefront. Fans include Kate Middleton, Kate Moss, and Nicole Kidman.
Crafted from supple suede panels with just a hint of slouch, this zip-top tote from the relatively new brand Métier is the epitome of quiet luxury. “I decided to leave the canvas tote behind and carry all my essentials in style,” says stylist Casey Trudeau. “Initially, I purchased this Métier suede tote with the intention of using it for big meetings, but it has become my go-to carryall for everyday use.” Plus, it’s big enough to function as a chic carry-on, with enough room for tech, a change of clothes, shoes, and a water bottle.
Best Small Bag: Hereu Small Bombon Bag
Behind the brand: Named for the Catalan word for “heir,” Hereu was founded in 2014 and has earned a cult following for its leather shoes and bags.
Known for: Its high-quality, sustainably produced shoes—although its bags (clearly) are just as worth the investment.
“This bag from Spanish brand Hereu is called the Bombon, which as an American makes me think of a cute little cake, but I have since learned is a slang term for ‘sexy lady’ or ‘bombshell’ in Spanish,” says Stephanie McNeal, a senior editor at Glamour. “I feel like the combination of the two really speaks to this bag’s essence. She’s adorable, but also sleek and ready for a night out. It’s roomy enough to be carried for a day outing, but also does double duty as a clutch, and can be worn with her thin, adjustable shoulder strap or daintily grasped by her braided handles. A true day-to-night icon.”
Best for Commuting: Loewe Puzzle Fold Tote
Behind the brand: This luxury Spanish brand is the eldest in the LVMH portfolio (it was founded in the 19th century). Jonathan Anderson revived the house as the creative director for eleven years, but in March 2025, the brand announced that Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez from Proenza Schouler will be taking the reins.
Known for: Its wicker totes and Puzzle bags are bestsellers, though editors and celebs love its Squeeze Tote just as much.Best Slouchy: Toteme T-Lock Leather Clutch
Shopper totes are great for schlepping, whether you’re off to work or running errands. Loewe’s sculptural Puzzle Fold tote is the chicest means to that end. “It’s gorgeous and just the right size for a commuting bag—it fits a laptop and your basic essentials without feeling cramped,” says Rachel Fletcher, commerce director at Architectural Digest. “I will say it’s pretty delicate considering the price tag, and blemishes show pretty easily on the leather because it isn’t pebbled or grainy—after putting it in my bike basket once, it got a bit scratched up. But I’m also not someone who is accustomed to carrying a designer bag, so take that with a grain of salt.”
Behind the brand: Influencer-turned-designer Elin Kling cofounded the Stockholm-based label in 2014 with her husband.
Known for: Its minimalist Scandinavian design aesthetic that is designed to transcend seasonal trends. Handbags were launched in 2022 and got the fashion crowd quickly on board.
Toteme can do no wrong in my book. I splurge on its year-round wardrobe staples like the anorak jacket and perfectly cut tanks,” Lee says. “I don’t own a classic, goes-with-everything handbag in black or tan, and I keep returning to the smooth leather T-Lock Shoulder Bag. It’s perfectly balanced in two ways: spacious enough for daily use without being too overwhelmingly large, and structured but with a tiny bit of slouch that makes it less proper. Plus, it comes with the all-important detachable shoulder strap!”
Best Handbag: Gucci Diana Small Tote Bag
“Princess Diana is my eternal style icon, so how could I not purchase one of her most favorite handbags?” says Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco. “The style was so beloved by the former Princess of Wales that Gucci decided to name it after her when they reimagined the design in 2021, almost 30 years after the original was spotted on her arm. The style is timeless and versatile, characteristics that must be credited to Princess Diana, who schlepped it to the gym and elegantly toted it at formal events all the same.”
Best Pre-Owned: Chanel Quilted Lambskin Snap Full Flap Mini
Behind the brand: Gabrielle Chanel, better known as Coco, opened the first Chanel boutique in 1910 as a millinery; in 1915, the house expanded into haute couture; perfume launched in 1921. Since then, the house has been helmed by iconic designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard.
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