Whether you're after affordability, elegance or practicality, these are the handbag brands worth knowing
Whatever the outfit, these are the handbag brands stylish women return to season after season
As a fashion editor with over 20 years' experience, the best handbag brands (that are also affordable) are one of the things I'm asked about most. Whether it's practical but stylish, timeless and elegant or arm candy that packs a punch, a well-crafted bag can transform an outfit in an instant.
And while the latest autumn/winter handbag trends for 2026 will instantly update your look, there are some labels that are producing beautiful bags that offer contemporary style without being bound by an individual season, making them an even better investment. And they truly don't have to cost the earth.
There has been a huge shift in the cost of luxury goods over the last ten years, and with well-known fashion houses now charging £1000s for the smallest of clutches, it might seem that a beautiful bag is now out of reach, but there is a growing crop of affordable luxury accessory brands that are bucking the trend. Delivering leather handbags with gorgeous hardware for what we term affordable luxury.
11 handbag brands that are worth investing in
Many of the best designer bags cost £1000s, but for those looking for quality at a more affordable price, there are affordable options out there. Good-sized totes with striking finishes for around the £400-£600 mark, with prices starting from £150. These include hand-crafted leather and suede, and timeless design, giving you excellent cost-per-wear and luxe colours that mean you truly can enjoy your bag for years to come. Some of the brands on here do have price options, but they entry priced products too, allowing them to make the cut. Here are 11 labels I recommend that cover every taste.
1. DeMellier
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DeMellier embodies the concept of affordable luxury and is one of the leaders in mid-market, well-crafted leather goods. DeMellier founder Mireia Luisia-Lindh has created an elegant, contemporary handbag brand that delivers polished style, cult status and is ethically and sustainably made for under £700 (for the largest totes), meaning the medium and smaller options are even more budget-friendly.
Styles start from as little as £365, making them the absolute sweet spot of investment shopping. Stick to classic shapes and timeless colour palettes, and these are bags you can wear again and again, and you'd be in good company. From the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, to Katie Holmes, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, Emily Blunt and many more, DeMellier has garnered a legion of fans for its sophisticated styles that add polish to any look.
The best DeMellier bags to shop now? My favourites include The New York collection for work: sleek, modern, and ever-so-grown-up; it's the bag collection that tells the world you have it together. While for party, the striking hardware on the Nano means this mini bag packs a punch every time.
2. Aspinal of London
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British heritage brand Aspinal of London is another Royal and celebrity favourite (Kate Middleton has been spotted with its bags) that has been adding timeless elegance to wardrobes since 2001. Craftsmanship and luxury materials are balanced by a playfulness, as the brand weaves contemporary colour, embellishment and prints alongside classic silhouettes that keep fans returning every season.
Beautiful leathers and a love of gifting expand the product range beyond handbags into leather-bound notebooks and sumptuous silk scarves, but it's the likes of its Mayfair bag that it's perhaps best known for.
However, while Aspinal's occasion bags are a regular on the red carpet, there are a host of bag styles for every occasion: totes, hobos, clutches and larger luggage items, meaning every bag whim is catered for in the most sophisticated way.
3. Mulberry
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Fresh from London Fashion Week, Mulberry has been a style staple for decades, and the brand is now under the design stewardship of British talent, Christopher Kane. Returning to the catwalk to showcase its spring/summer 2027 collection, it feels like it's about to have a bit of a revival, making it the perfect time to reinvest.
I have always been a Mulberry girl, perhaps influenced by its 00s and 2010s cult status thanks to the Bayswater and the Alexa, which punctuated my first foray into designer bags, and I'd say it's back on the fashion map in a big way.
This is the one label in the list that does push up the average price, with bags pushing into that four-figure bracket, although there is a good selection under that. But with 50% of the British brand's icons still made in its Somerset factories, Mulberry is the largest luxury leather goods manufacturer in the UK, and keeping those skills alive is something worth supporting. It's also worth noting that Mulberry does offer pre-loved items and has been known to go on sale, so it's worth bookmarking.
4. Strathberry
Elegant, timeless yet utterly contemporary, Strathberry has gained a legion of A-list and Royal fans for its elevated designs and its instantly recognisable metal music bar hardware.
A beautiful leather goods brand, the Edinburgh-based label was founded in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Guy and Leanne Hundleby. The bags are crafted in Spain and focus on quiet luxury bags, with strikingly vintage-inspired silhouettes with a very modern twist.
While Strathberry has added soft suede hobos, drawstring pouches and raffia designs to its ever-expanding product offering, for me, Strathberry's most iconic designs, like the Mosaic, feature more structured shapes, polished chain crossbody bags and totes, which you can rely on for everyday elegance and into the evening.
5. Dragon Diffusion
Specialising in woven leather, Dragon Diffusion is made on demand, which does mean that your purchase takes 8-10 weeks, but it is literally crafted just for you. This saves on waste and cost, adding to the brand's sustainable credentials, which are at the heart of its ethos.
Delivering a woven aesthetic, made popular by the likes of Bottega Veneta, Dragon Diffusion uses vegetable-dyed leathers to craft gorgeous bags and belts in a magical array of colours. From totes to shoulder bags, you're looking at a top-end price of around £500 for the brand's largest pieces.
Handwoven, Dragon Diffusion has been spotted on the arms of some of the world's most stylish women, from Alexa Chung to Dakota Johnson, and the label has also paired up with style favourites Rixo in the past, firmly putting them on the fashion map and opening them up to a wider audience.
6. Kate Spade
Launched in 1993, Kate Brosnaham Spade was an accessories editor on the hunt for utilitarian handbags, something suitable for work but still stylish. Beginning with just six pieces, the brand became a global phenomenon, and now the affordable but still much-loved line is packed with colour and creativity, alongside timeless staples and vintage-inspired, ladylike designs.
With plenty of quirky hero pieces, the brand recently went viral for its Dauscand shoulder bag, which quickly sold out, and the label continues to inject fun into fashion, season upon season. But don't be fooled. Contemporary suede and sleek shoulder bags remain the backbone of the Kate Spade collection, providing AM to PM style.
Head here for bags under £400, and plenty of options around the £225 mark. Gorgeous curved crescent bags, luxe-looking totes and modern pouches tap into trends without compromising on wearability. Want a speedy style update? The bag charms are a hero small buy to restyle current looks too.
7. Longchamp
When it comes to bags, Longchamp is probably best known for its Le Pliage, the fabric tote with a main zip pocket and a neat, central fold-over flap, secured with a popper is one of fashion's most instantly recognisable designs, but if that's all Longchamp means to you, it's time to think again.
The beautiful French luxury goods brand has what can only be described as a sprawling collection, beyond the £115 medium canvas tote, and one that is well worth investigating. The Le Pliage itself has been reimagined in recent seasons, and now alongside the staple shoulder bag, there is a series of quirkier takes on the classic - including East-West, customisable and evening bag silhouettes.
Away from the Le Pliage is a host of other Longchamp styles that are less well-known, but worth your consideration. Le Smartas, the name suggests, is a very polished edit, with timeless styles in buttery soft leathers, and more high-fashion-led hardware. Here, a small crossbody bag or bucket bag will cost around £450.
With nine other bag families, there is something for every occasion and price point at Longchamp, so remember, never judge a brand by its canvas tote.
8. Fairfax and Favor
British charm is perhaps the most apt way to describe Fairfax and Favor, a brand that has been championing British heritage style long before it became a catwalk trend. Handcrafted, the ever-growing offering of country-coded handbags with a hint of city flair is the kind of modern arm-candy that you can return to again and again.
While there are pops of print and texture within the range, a focus on timeless design, shape, material and colourways is paramount. Tan, navy, black and brown dominate the collection, ensuring your investment buy isn't relying on the autumn/winter fashion colour trends for 2026, it's a buy-now, wear-for-life purchase.
Smaller clutches cost £125, while shoulder bags are around a very reasonable £295, with the brand's best-selling Windsor bag (a gorgeous work option) clocking in under £450 - an absolute style steal. Like many accessories labels in this piece, Fairfax and Favor have gained Royal approval, with the likes of Zara Tindall spotted carrying the brand's Mini Windsor.
9. Anya Hindmarch
I can't talk handbag brands without spotlighting Anya Hindmarch, the accessory brand that puts fun into fashion. There is, however, a core line of polished accessories that I think often gets missed in favour of Anya's quirkier designs. The travel tote has been on my wish list for the longest time - with multiple pockets, it would make an amazing baby bag that would spin into a great work bag, or carry-on luggage, too. Don't sleep on Anya's clutch bags, which cover everything from classic to wild cards. And the same goes for the totes too - whether you want a piece of art or a sleek suede style, Hindmarch has you covered.
Pop art for the modern age, an Anya Hindmarch bag is a conversation starter. Using modern iconography to create standout bags, expect everything from the current Peanuts Space Snoopy collaboration, a Sweet 'n' Low tote, an embellished Nurofen Mini Bucket bag, and a new line of Kellogg's-inspired designs launching soon.
You might also recognise Anya's signature googley eye motif, which is used both on the brand's bags and in collaborations with the likes of Uniqlo, to deliver a playful twist for every item. Kate Middleton, Emma Watson, Claudia Schiffer and many more famous names are counted as fans of the brand.
And it isn't just fantasy that underpins Anya Hindmarch. A champion of the reusable tote, you may know the label for the likes of the 'I'm not a plastic bag' bag and continued sustainable canvas tote collaborations that offer a relatively inexpensive way to buy into the label. There is now a recycled plastic edit called 'I am a plastic bag' that strays into the affordable luxury market too.
10. Holland Cooper
Quintessentially British, Holland Cooper is the perfect accompaniment to the heritage trend that has become quite the fixture in our wardrobe. With a love of all things equestrian, you can really feel the love of tradition and timelessness that founder Jade injects into every piece.
Beautiful tweeds, luxe leathers and classic style fused with a contemporary flair carry through every aspect of the brand, and its handbags evoke that feeling too.
Holdalls, totes and crossbody designs punctuate a collection of leather and suede in chocolate and tan hues, ensuring a very rich-looking finish. Utilising the Holland Cooper's emblem in gold hardware and as an all-over print, there are both quiet luxury and statement looks taken care of here. The chocolate suede Milan tote feels very on-trend, echoing current bag trends, and would make a lovely addition to any work wardrobe, while smaller pieces, like the Country Camera Bag (£229), offer practicality in droves, at a price you'll love.
11. Lulu Guiness
The originator of the witty brand, Lulu Guinness, is nothing short of a fashion legend. Her playful take on accessories has seen her handbags sported by the likes of Kate Moss and Gillian Anderson, amongst countless others.
With the trend for quirky, statement handbags very much back on the fashion map, Lulu Guinness has had something of a revival in the last five years, and with 36 years under her belt, the creative designer continues to wow with new ideas every season.
Creating collector's items, Lulu's lips clutch is perhaps the brand's most iconic piece, although the recent line of tote shoppers has made the brand accessible to a whole new generation of fans.
Full of wit and enchantment, The Collectibles are the brand's most show-stopping designs, bringing form and function together, and yet these are all under £350, proving that fabulous fashion and eye-catching design don't need to break the bank.
What to consider before buying from a handbag brand
If you're not someone who usually buys branded bags, or have been thinking about taking the first steps into designer handbags, then every label on this list is worth looking at, and they all have a slightly different niche or style.
While Chanel 2.55 or Hermes Birkins might fill your social media timelines, and they are indeed very beautiful bags for those able to get their hands on them, not being able to shop high-end price points doesn't exclude you from owning a special piece.
The most important thing to remember when investing in a higher-ticket item is to think about how and where you will wear your bag. What colour will work best with your existing capsule wardrobe? Do you want something that blends, or something that contrasts with your autumn outfit ideas? Consider the fabric: generally, when investing in higher-ticket items, you can expect gorgeous suede and luxe leather that will wear beautifully, and of course, hardware - statement or discreet - what fits your style?
Why choose a handbag brand over a general retailer?
Accessories are a core part of most fashion brands, but a bag specialist, or a brand that has built its handbag offering significantly, cultivating core styles and specific hardware, will have crafting luxury leather goods down to a fine art. And every brand on this list has also spent time cultivating a signature style, a particular emblem or clasp that immediately makes it recognisable, setting your purchase apart from the crowd.
Have I ever regretted investing in a handbag?
Honestly? No. I still think about the ones that got away. The original Alexander McQueen knuckle duster clutch that I just did not have the disposable income for, and the silk Bimba y Lola backpack that I think about at least every six months and it's been well over a decade (maybe two) since I abandoned it in a Spanish store.
While I'm not lucky enough to be swimming in great bag purchases (one can dream), a great handbag is a pivotal wardrobe purchase. It can hold power, open conversation and make you feel put together, even when you're not.
From my first DKNY at Dickens and Jones to the sample sale purchases that gave me a designer thrill at a bargain price tag, affordable luxury is not a necessity, but sometimes, when we can, it's just nice to have lovely things, and every bag brand on this list does just that.
