While some of the best designer handbags can go in and out of style, there are a handful of silhouettes that will always stand the test of time. Think of these styles as the ultimate investment. Similar to a black blazer, white tee, or pair of jeans, a good handbag is an integral part of a successful capsule wardrobe – and there’s a version for every occasion, season and personal style.
All that’s left to do is to find the perfect piece for you. Easier said than done though, right? So before making a considerable investment (remember, the right designer handbags will increase in value on the secondhand market), there are certain questions to ask yourself: what purpose does your bag need to serve? Are you going for plain, patent or suede leather – or avoiding leather altogether? Is it heritage or contemporary designers that you’re drawn to? Are you looking for a zingy style to grab attention or a quietly elegant companion?
Read more: The Best Designer Belts
Then there’s the question of budget. In the luxury market, there’s essentially no limit to how much you can spend, but whether you opt for something more affordable or are willing to splurge on a pricier bag, we recommend setting your budget before going on a spree. Lastly, consider compatibility. Levelling up your bag game? Ensure the winning style goes with the majority of your wardrobe. Versatility is key.
From elevated carryalls to structured styles, fun-sized to functional (pretty doesn’t have to mean impractical), here’s our guide to all to the essential handbag silhouettes and styles. Whether you invest in an Hermès Birkin or opt for a Loewe Puzzle, making a decision might be the trickiest part, but worry not, the shopping team at British Vogue have done the hard work for you. Scroll on to see our ultimate designer handbag line-up.
The best designer handbags at a glance:
Despite its relative youth in the luxury handbag market, The Row has secured its place in the fashion hall of fame, thanks to its immaculately-crafted, pared-back creations. The brand’s Margaux has become a cult item – and signifier of quiet luxury – which has been in and out of stock since its release.
The Loewe Puzzle was Jonathan Anderson’s debut bag as creative director. Over the years, it has been heralded by fashion insiders for both its form and function – its dramatic geometrical design was like nothing any other brand was offering on the market. It now comes in a plethora of shapes and colourways, but we will always have a soft spot for the classic full-size puzzle in black or beige.
Inspired by American artist Margaret Keane’s unique, experimental character, Miu Miu’s Arcadie bag features a top-handle and light padding with the brand’s iconic logo embossed across the front. The rectangular bag debuted as part of Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2024 collection and has since become a common sighting on the arms of celebrities. You can find this style in Miu Miu’s signature metalassé leather, padded leather, or suede.
When a trusted brand such as Alaïa takes on a trend like the East-West bag, we pay attention. With its approachable design and sculptural yet understated shape, Le Teckel comes in suede and textured leather in a number of neutral and pastel shades, so finding one that complements your wardrobe is easy. Fun fact: “teckel” means dachshund in French – a playful nod to the bag’s elongated shape.
Coach released its Brooklyn shoulder bag in summer this year, and it quickly became a hit after it was spotted on Bella Hadid. The appeal of this popular style lies in its marriage of style and accessibility – its sleek design and mid-level price make it hard to ignore. Opt for the larger 39 model for daytime and the more compact 28 for evenings.
When Chemena Kamali presented her first show as creative director of Chloé earlier this year, she was met with adulation. Fans welcomed back the nostalgic, bohemian style of the Noughties that she translated via white lace, soft leather and, of course, the Bracelet bag. This nostalgic style boasts a removable ring handle and detachable strap, plus it comes in four different sizes and a variety of Chloé-coded shades.
Micro bags aren’t off the agenda just yet. Longchamp’s Le Pilage Neo XS bag holds particular cachet this season after being awarded eighth place on Lyst’s “hottest products” rundown for the third quarter of 2024. The miniature bag is a shrunken version of the brand’s iconic top-handle and, thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap, can be carried as a bag or a clutch, making it suitable for everyday use. The origami-inspired design comes in a mixture of two-tone colourways as well as a handful of classic monochrome variations.
Sabato De Sarno presented his take on the iconic Blondie bag during Gucci’s resort 2025 runway. This iteration of the bag, which made its original debut in 1971, is newly realised in Tuscan leather with Gucci’s distinctive GG logo printed across the front. It comes in a number of covetable colours, including the brand’s signature Ancora red.
When Carrie Bradshaw slung a whipstitched Fendi baguette over her shoulder in the Sexy And The City TV series, she launched a worldwide sellout. And while the style has never really gone away, it has seen a serious renaissance over the last decade, with a new generation discovering its Noughties charm.
Introduced for the autumn/winter 2024 season, Aspinal’s sculptural Hudson bag – named after the river that runs through NYC – fuses British luxury with the cosmopolitan feel of the Big Apple. The colours are also inspired by the East Coast city: Central Park informed the deep green forest hue, wine captures the essence of the many bars, while black and tan offer versatility.
Khaite is renowned for its arsenal of timeless, investment-worthy accessories. The brand’s Lotus tote is the perfect balance of slouchy and sturdy – it’s inspired by the fluid silhouette of a scarf – ready to house everything you may need on the go.
Balenciaga’s Le City bag was a favourite of Noughties It-girls – think the Olsen twins, Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan – and this year Demna, the brand’s creative director, brought it back in all its Y2K glory. While there are plenty of fashion lovers reaching for the new model, which comes in a range of colourways, there are others, including British Vogue’s Naomi Smart, who are securing theirs second-hand on preloved sites such as eBay and Vinted.
Matthieu Blazy certainly caused a stir with his sophomore show for Bottega Veneta, however it was the designer’s new bag creation – the Andiamo – that got frow-ers reaching for their iPhones. Coming in three sizes and crafted from calf leather, the silhouette proposes a fresh take on the house’s signature woven intrecciato technique. A true minimalist hero.
For those who want a feel-good accessory that will instantly elevate any outfit, JW Anderon’s Bumper bag is the style for you. The Bumper was launched in the spring/summer 2022 collection and offers a certain cartoonish charm, thanks to its eye-popping colourways and chunky piped trim. From crustal-studded green to zesty orange, there are plenty of moods to choose from.
As Noughties mania crept the fashion crowd in 2019, Prada reprised two of its beloved bags – the Re-Edition 2000 and the Re-Edition 2005. Instantly recognisable for its nylon outer and triangular insignia, it instantly became a celebrity favourite; spotted on the likes of Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie.
Givenchy’s Antigona tote first graced the brand’s runways for the autumn/winter 2010 season and was quickly embraced by the It-girls of the moment: from Kate Moss and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Irina Shayk and Lily Aldridge. A chic option for those looking for a more structured bag for work, the bag comes with a trapezoid shape, boxy-yet-roomy interior and sturdy top handle.
Is there any handbag more iconic that the Hermès Birkin? We think not. Created in 1984, the bag was named after fashion icon and actor, Jane Birkin, who, after finding herself sitting next to Jean-Louis Dumas, CEO of Hermès, on a flight, famously sketched the design on a sick bag. The rest, as they say, is history. Notoriously hard to get hold of, it can take years on waiting lists to get your hands on a new one, but pre-loved versions can be found on multiple resale sites. This is a purchase that will last a lifetime – and then some.
The quiet luxury companion: Toteme T-Lock
“T-Lock has a certain ease and energy about it,” Toteme co-founder Elin Kling previously told British Vogue of Toteme’s minimalist, curvaceous bag, which resonates with the pared-back overall aesthetic of the brand. “It is precise but not so precious. That’s what I love about it.”
First conceived six decades ago, Gucci’s Horsebit bag has become one of the brand’s most famous bag designs, identifiable for its equestrian-inspired horsebit hardware and classic rectangular shape. Former creative director, Alessandro Michele, revived the style in the brand’s cruise 2020 collection, offering up a range of new shapes, including a tote, satchel and shoulder bag.
Named after supermodel Kate Moss, Saint Laurent’s Kate bag became a mainstay in the brand’s handbag oeuvre since its release in 2010. Able to be worn both as a clutch and a crossbody, the bag comes with the brand’s iconic gold logo emblazoned on the front and is available in a range of finishes: from mock croc to grained leather. The ultimate party companion.
Another iconic bag named after another iconic woman, Dior’s Lady Dior bag was a direct result of the Princess Diana effect. Originally called the Chouchou, the boxy top-handle bag was gifted to Diana by the First Lady of France in September 1995, and after being recommissioned in blue by the royal, it was renamed the Diana in 1996. It remains one of the brand’s most popular bags.
Lemaire’s signature Croissant bag is, as the brand describes it, “supple yet resistant”. As its name suggests, the bag is inspired by the curved shape of a pastry, which makes for a unique, playful silhouette.
Louis Vuitton’s Neverfull tote is often spotted on the arms of airport-bound celebrities, no doubt thanks to its practical, capacious interior (the clue is in the name) and timeless logo leather design. Introduced in 2007 as a seasonal beach bag, the style has experienced a revival in recent years.
Launched in the autumn/winter 2022 collection, Miu Miu’s Wander bag has already secured its place in the designer bag hall of fame, thanks to its distinctive matelassé detailing and compact size. Beloved by the likes of Emma Corrin, Alexa Chung, Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Jaime Xie, to name but a few, its star shows no sign of fading.
Last year marked the 20th anniversary of Mulberry’s Bayswater bag – the original “ludicrously capacious” tote carried by Kate Moss and co in the Noughties. It remains a hallmark of British design, and is available in a range of colourways and finishes. Emerging brand Stefan Cooke dipped into the Mulberry archive and revived its key vintage styles (all of which are limited edition), including the Bayswater.
What is the most popular handbag right now?
After being spotted on trend-setter Bella Hadid, Coach’s Brooklyn shoulder bag has become a sellout style, adored not only for its A-list appeal, but for its practicality and affordability, too. Due to an impressive number of sales over the July-September period, it recently earned second place on Lyst’s “hottest products” for the third quarter of this year. It’s safe to say that this is a bag with cachet.
Another notable entry is Miu Miu’s Arcadie bag. The East-West style comes in both leather and suede and, since the campaign featuring Gigi Hadid dropped last June, many a Miu Miu devotee have been dutifully adding it to their wish-list.
Other styles that have current It-bag status include Alaïa’s Le Coeur and Le Teckel, along with Longchamp’s Le Pliage XS. In short, there are a few standout styles leading the way, but it’s important to remember that, when searching for a bag for yourself, you should consider what fits best with your personal aesthetic and practical needs.
