THE best handbags have a magical power to transform your look from basic to boujee which is why it’s important to choose one you’ll love.
Whether an investment piece or an everyday staple, a handbag is the perfect Christmas present that you know your loved one will use or is a must-have companion to festive drinks, parties and dinners. Everyone who’s ever worn a dress knows the struggle of no pockets so a handbag is essential for carrying a lipstick, book, phone or purse.
Dating all the way back to the 16th century, the best handbags have stood the test of time over the years, from exclusive Birkin totes to Louis Vuitton’s timelessly classic monogram collections.
Not every piece has to cost a fortune and there are options from luxury styles to high street handbags available depending on what you’re looking for or your budget.
We’ve put together a list of the very best handbags on the market, to buy now and cherish for always. You’re welcome.
Best handbags for women at a glance:
Best investment handbag: Mulberry Small Darley Satchel
Best quilted handbag: All Saints Sheringham Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag
Best clutch handbag: Oliver Bonas 60’s Floral Beaded Black Clutch Bag
Best nylon handbag: Bimba Y Lola S Black Nylon Crossbody Bag
Best shopper handbag: Baggu nylon shopper tote bag in strawberry print
Best straw handbag: Arket Leather Trimmed Straw Bag
Best bargain handbag: ASOS DESIGN slim 90s shoulder bag in black & off white swirl patchwork
Best anti-handbag bag: Lulu Lemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Best beach bag: Whistles Black Aria straw beach bag
Best staple black handbag: & Other Stories Leather Shoulder Bag
1. Best investment handbag: Mulberry Small Darley Satchel
Small Darley Satchel in Cornflower Blue, £595 at Mulberry – buy here
Satchels nail that fine line between easiness and elegance. Of course, no brand does that better than Mulberry.
Crafted from a natural grain leather in a half-moon shape, the Darley is centred with the brand’s signature Postman’s lock and has a detachable cross-body strap, so you can convert it to a clutch for more formal occasions.
The gorgeous colours available will see you through years of changing fashion trends, too—so worth the luxury handbag price tag. This timeless bag also comes in a variety of seasonal colours.
Check out our best cheap Mulberry bags to find the best value Mulberry handbags available to buy now.
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2. Best quilted handbag: All Saints Sheringham Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag
AllSaints Sheringham Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag, Black, £249 at John Lewis – buy here
Loved by Insta-influencers world-wide, quilted bags are having a moment and we’re in love with this All Saints offering.
This timeless premium leather shoulder bag has a zip fastening and interior zip pocket to keep valuables safe.
We can see it working wonders with some relaxed tailoring for your next brunch date.
3. Best clutch handbag: Oliver Bonas 60’s Floral Beaded Black Clutch Bag
60’s Floral Beaded Black Clutch Bag, £55 at Oliver Bonas – buy here
This square beaded clutch from Oliver Bonas has a 60s vibe with a floral cream and black geometric design and a skinny gold-tones chain strap.
From the intricate beaded fabric to the slick silhouette, this clutch can amp up even the simplest of looks.
Wear yours with a neutral-toned mini dress and black heels when you next feel like dressing up. You’ll get all the compliments.
4. Best nylon handbag: Bimba Y Lola S Lime Padded Nylon Crossbody Bag
S Lime Padded Nylon Crossbody Bag, £108 (was £155) from Bimba Y Lola – buy here
Prada made nylon cool, and pretty much everyone else followed: Bimba Y Lola’s S Padded Black Nylon Flap Bag is a must-have bag.
For £108, this bag’s one that you’ll wear day-in-day-out, plus it has enough room inside, a flap fastener and adjustable chain strap, making it pretty and practical.
Dress it up with some leather and down with denim – we’re obsessed.
5. Best shopper handbag: Baggu nylon shopper tote bag in strawberry print
Baggu nylon shopper tote bag in strawberry print in beige, £14 from ASOS – buy here
Another nylon number at the other end of the spectrum, your supermarket shop is about to get a whole lot more stylish. We’ve officially found the cutest shopper handbag around, and it’s only £14 at ASOS.
This nylon bag features a fun strawberry print, twin handles and an open top, ideal to put you in a good mood whilst shopping during cold winter mornings.
Part of a collection from Baggu, aiming to pair up some strong eco credentials with cool prints and durability – this nylon bag features double-stitched seams and can carry up to 50lbs.
6. Best straw handbag: Arket Leather Trimmed Straw Bag
Leather Trimmed Straw Bag, £79 at Arket – buy here
Thanks to the French designer Jacquemus, straw accessories are all the rage right now, which is why Arket’s straw bucket bag had to make our list.
It’s not only ridiculously chic, this bag is also trimmed with detailed leather, and has a draw-string enclosure and detachable strap.
Wear yours with yellows, oranges and pinks to channel a high-end summer vibe, even during the colder months.
7. Best bargain handbag: ASOS DESIGN slim 90s shoulder bag in black & off white swirl patchwork
ASOS DESIGN slim 90s shoulder bag in black & off white swirl patchwork, £19 from ASOS – buy here
This shoulder bag looks a lot more expensive than it really is, priced at only £19 from ASOS.
Featuring an early noughties like design, this white and black gem is simple yet oh-so effective and on trend with the psychedelic pattern and practical zip-top fastening.
You can easily dress it up, dress it down and wear it everywhere you go.
8. Best anti-handbag bag: Lulu Lemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Lulu Lemon Everywhere Belt Bag, £38 from Lulu Lemon – buy here
Don’t want to lug around a handbag? Fear not, this Lulu Lemon bum bag requires no shoulder aches or annoying handles – you can just attach it to your waist. Easy.
Keep your essentials safe with a zip, allowing easy access for you but not for anyone thinking of pinching your belongings. It also has an adjustable strap with a clip fasten so can be worn as a cross-body bag.
9. Best beach bag: Whistles Black Aria straw beach bag
Black Aria Straw shoulder bag, £59 (was £95) at Whistles – buy here
Going on holiday somewhere warmer during winter or not ready to let go of the summer yet, there’s nothing more summery style than the straw bag.
This black straw shoulder bag from Whistles works for winter too, plus it’s really spacious and eco-friendly. Win-win!
Take it with you on your next beach trip or pack a picnic and head to the park. Either way, it’s an essential.
10. Best staple black handbag: & Other Stories Gusset Shoulder Bag
Leather Gusset Shoulder Bag, £85 from & Other Stories – buy here
When you find the right little black handbag, it becomes your closest daily companion. We think we’ve found just that in this leather shoulder bag from & Other Stories.
Sporting an urban pyramid design with a long strap and separate compartments, it’s made with leather with a cotton lining, and comes with enough room for all your essentials.
Whether you’re wearing an LBD and heels for dinner or want an easy bag for running errands, this handbag ticks every box.
11. Best Longchamp handbag: Longchamp Le Pliage Original Large Shoulder Bag
Longchamp Le Pliage Original Large Shoulder Bag, Red, £100 at John Lewis – buy here
If you’re after something classic, practical and elegantly cool then Longchamp’s Le Pliage Original Large Shoulder Bag is your match.
Loved by Kate Middleton, Lonchamp’s lightweight designs are so durable, and this one is famous for being able to foldaway.
Whether you need a new work bag, or you’re looking for an easy-to-carry day-in-day-out bag, look no further. The iconic bag comes in different colours going from red and pink (our favourites) to more classic tones like navy and caramel.
12. Best workout-ready handbag: Under Armour Training Essentials Tote
Under Armour Training Essentials Tote in black, £49 from Under Armour – buy here
Trying to cram a hefty gym bag underneath the table at a nice restaurant isn’t ideal, which is where the Under Armour Training Essential tote can save you.
Made for carrying your workout clothes, this bag has internal water bottle and laundry pockets as well as a laptop sleeve. Not only does it look good, it’s also practical, this is the best bag for those after the office gyms sessions.
13. Best croc-effect handbag: Mango’s croc-effect cross body bag
Croc-effect cross body bag, £22.99 at Mango – buy here
We love this croc-effect, faux leather bag from Mango in black although it was available in brown and cream too before selling out.
It’s small but perfectly formed with an inner lining and two pockets, plus a detachable cross-body strap.
Sleek and chic with plenty of room for the bits and bobs you can’t leave the house without – it’s ideal for teaming with neutral hues for a cool autumn look.
14. Best backpack: The Everywhere Zip Backpack
The Everywhere Zip Backpack, £175 from Away – buy here
You don’t need to be planning a trip for the Away backpack to come in handy – although it’s good to know that it will fit everything you need it to on your travels.
It’s made from water-resistant nylon with a breathable mesh back panel and padded shoulders for extra comfort. It’s also super spacious with a laptop pocket and magnetic locking zipper for security.
It also folds down flat so you can pack it in a suitcase or easily store it when you’re not using it.
15. Best leather handbag: Cambridge Satchel Co. Large Pushlock
The Large Pushlock, £120 at the Cambridge Satchel Co. – buy here
Handcrafted in leather on home-turf, you can expect top quality from the Cambridge Satchel Co.
The Large Pushlock has a vintage feel with a simple, classic design finished off with a push-lock enclosure – and minimalist gold detailing.
There’s a detachable leather strap so it works as a shoulder, cross-body or clutch bag and it comes in a whole array of tempting colours – from Rose to French Grey – but we thought the racing green was spot on for autumn/winter.
If you’re looking for something smaller, the Pushlock is 7.5 inches (compared to 9.5 for the large pushlock) for £90.
16. Best crossbody handbag: M&S Leather Double Zip Cross Body Bag
Leather Double Zip Cross Body Bag, £45 from M&S – buy here
M&S’s leather crossbody bag is a favourite for its value, size and timeless shape.
Among the boast-worthy reviews, one happy customer says, “the leather is good quality and it holds more than I expected.”
Not only does it look good, but it is also great at keeping you organised, with two zipped compartments and interior zip pocket and card slots.
17. Best tote: Michael Kors Sullivan Large Saffiano Leather Top-Zip Tote Bag
Sullivan Large Saffiano Leather Top-Zip Tote Bag, £350 from Michael Kors – buy here
Michael Kors is the go-to label for durable, go-anywhere handbags.
This Sullivan tote is a favourite with its smart Saffiano leather design, and well-organised interior.
The spacious bag has two exterior side pockets, an interior zip compartment large enough to hold a tablet or laptop as well as other slip pockets too.
You can pick between black or soft pink. We say style the black with neutral tones like grey and cream.
18. Best shoulder bag: JW PEI Gabbi bag
Gabbi bag, £59 (was £89) from JW PEI – buy here
As seen on Megan Fox, the Gabbi bag from JW PEI is THE bag for this winter.
Its minimalist design in sustainable vegan materials is what makes this so special and it’s also the core philosophy of the LA based brand.
Coming just under £60, the Gabbi bag is available in 14 colours, we personally love the Brown “Nutella” Gabbi for our winter looks.
19. Best colourful handbag: Kurt Geiger Velvet Mini Kensington
Kurt Geiger London Velvet Mini Kensington, £159 at Kurt Geiger – buy here
The mini Kensington velvet shoulder bag is made from a super-soft velvet and features a structured design with a strap.
It’s vibrantly embellished in rainbow-stripes and completed with the collection’s signature crystal-embellished eagle.
Bring colour back to the cloudy and rainy days with this Kurt Geiger bag that will leave everyone speechless.
20. Best mini handbag: Jacquemus Le Chiquito cross-body bag
Jacquemus Le Chiquito logo-plaque leather cross-body bag, £415 at Selfridges – buy here
If like us you have been obsessed with the trend of (really) mini bags then you have to buy the one and only Jacquemus bag that started it all.
The Chiquito bag is a statement and comes in different colours, our current favourite is this super cute pink cross-body, but we also love the classics like black and white.
This tiny bag comes with a removable shoulder strap and an inside card pocket. We love this bag as a statement but be warned: you won’t be able to fit much in it!
21. Best night-out clutch bag: Zadig & Voltaire Rock Rider studded leather clutch
Zadig & Voltaire Rock Rider studded leather clutch, £300 (was £375) from Selfridges – buy here
When we say dress to impress we mean accessorise your look with the Zadig & Voltaire Rock Rider clutch.
This rock ‘n’ roll clutch features studs and comes with a detachable chain strap and a zip to keep your belongings safe. We’d say your outfit is already off to a fantastic start with this edgy bag.
It also spacious enough for you to pop your phone, keys, card, and lipstick in it: basically all the night-out essentials you may need!
22. Mulberry Leather Bayswater Shoulder Bag
Mulberry Leather Bayswater Shoulder Bag, £1,095 from Harrods – buy here
Every handbag lover will have a Mulberry on their wish list because of the luxury materials, designs and long wear.
A definite investment piece at over £1,000 this shoulder bag is the kind of item that can pass down for years to come.
With ample space for everything you need day to day, this is the Christmas present everyone wants to find under their tree.
23. Radley Dukes Place Leather Large Open Top Work Bag
Radley Dukes Place Leather Large Open Top Work Bag, £239 from John Lewis – buy here
As the name suggests, this hand bag from Radley is the perfect companion for work.
With straps that are big enough for allowing the bag to sit comfortably on your shoulder, there’s a small zipped pocket inside for valuables or smaller items that can get lost at the bottom.
Pick between black and ink and slip your tablet, phone, diary and more in the Mary Poppins-esque bag before heading into the office.
24. L’alingi Crystal-Embellished Feather Clutch Bag
L’alingi Crystal-Embellished Feather Clutch Bag, £630 from Harrods – buy here
It’s party season so why not invest in a bag that matches that fun.
Inspired by the extravagance of the 1920s, this satin bag is adorned in ostrich feathers and a crystal strap.
Pop in your lipstick, cards and phone and click closed with the magnetic fastening before heading out.
25. Kate Spade knott pebbled leather medium saddle bag
Knott pebbled leather medium saddle bag, £135 (was £275) from Kate Spade – buy here
An everyday wear, this saddle bag from Kate Spade is big enough to fit everything you need while still being super portable.
We love the brown shade of this luxe leather bag, especially now it’s on sale with £150 off.
Wear over your shoulder or cross-body.
What are the most popular designer handbags?
A designer handbag is an investment that would complement your look and make your outfit on point.
It’s easy to gel lost when choosing the right style for you, and we suggest you think in advance in what type of bag you’re looking for.
From bucket bags, saddle bags to shoulder and crossbody bags, there’s a perfect designer item for everyone.
The most popular designer labels now include Burberry, Gucci, Dior, Mulberry and Saint Laurent.
What are the best leather handbags?
Leather handbags are often recognised as luxury and high-quality items.
Biggest designer labels release their own individual styles as fashion staples. If you’d love a leather bag under £60, the Mango baguette bag is the one for you!
If you’re keen to get something that would last for a long time and would carry the brand’s name, check out Burberry, AllSaints, Net A Porter and Aspinal of London.
What is the best handbag to invest in?
A good tip to always keep in mind when investing in a new bag is that classics styles and colours will never go out of style.
Don’t be tricked by the trends of the seasons or bright exclusive colours, chances are you’ll either get bored of them or they won’t be fashionable in a few year so you won’t get much use of them.
Iconic and timeless pieces include the Burberry check bag, the Louis Vuitton monogram bags or the Chanel classic bags. These classic bags are beautiful and are guaranteed to last you forever (with the proper care, of course!).
What is the best colour for handbags?
When buying bags, it all comes down to personal preference but we’d suggest buying neutral and classic colours like Black, Beige and White to start building your collection and then move on to the more colourful bags like this Kurt Geiger mini bag, but if you love colours, just go crazy!
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