11 best purse brands worth the splurge
Every woman needs a bag to make an entrance with. Something that does the talking, so she can use her words for the boardroom. We’ve looked into high-end purse brands that feel and smell like luxury and found that not all need to have a major price tag attached.
We’ve scouted looks from Kate Spade, COACH, and Hammit but also have some options from crowdpleasers, such as Tory Burch, The Sak and more!
🎬 Get Free Netflix Logins
Claim your free working Netflix accounts for streaming in HD! Limited slots available for active users only.
- No subscription required
- Works on mobile, PC & smart TV
- Updated login details daily
With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, we can’t think of a better time to grab a belt bag, tote, or clutch for that special lady in your life. Whether it’s your bestie who loves luxury bags, mom (obviously), or you’re giving a belated push-present to yourself, a purse is always welcome and needed!
See below for the best of the best in the world of bags, along with some options that will become your favorite stylish addition to your wardrobe.
We think money can buy you happiness; it lies with all the brands below. These splurge-worthy best purse brands will bring you joy if you let them. Invest before they sell out.
Pros:
- Classic style and novelty throwbacks
- Excellent quality that lasts from season to season
Cons:
- Price point can be a little high
A household name in the handbag space, every woman needs a Kate Spade bag. They’re top quality but are accessibly priced considering their craftsmanship, and they often have amazing sales running to make their cost even lower. The classic collection is timeless, but keep an eye out for seasonal drops and adorable novelty bags, too.
With winter nearly here, you can’t go wrong with a suede bag. Our favorite from Kate Spade? The Deco Suede Large Tulip Tote ($498) which has a dog clip closure and interior pockets. If you’re looking for a smaller, more classic bag for date nights and appointments, the Liv Shoulder Bag ($258) is the one to grab. Made with smooth leather, it has two slip pockets (one on the exterior and another on the interior), as well as an adjustable strap so you can wear it as close (or far )as you like.
Best Entry-Level Designer: Hammitt
Pros:
- Lifetime guarantee
- Design is built for function and beauty
- U.S.-based designer
Cons:
- Eventually, the hardware wears out, but if you purchase it directly from Hammitt, the brand will replace it for you
When it comes to expensive purse brands, we’ve found a reasonably priced yet well-made purse. Hammitt is a California-based brand that places a high value on functionality without compromising style.
Each bag is hand-numbered and made to last a lifetime, with a guaranteed warranty.
This Allen Med is part of a limited-time style inspired by Hammitt’s coastal roots. Crafted with black Italian leather, this tote has an adjustable crossbody strap that can be removed. Who needs Italian purse brands when you can get top-quality Italian leather right here in the U.S.?
Most Popular: COACH
Pros:
- With proper care, these bags can last a long time
- Coach will repair your bag or accessory item
- Created with uncompromising high-quality craftsmanship
- Items made with high-quality, durable leather
Cons:
- Price point can be a little high
- Designs are generally more classic than ultra-modern, which may not suit all tastes
This brand is iconic, and having a Coach handbag is an important milestone in any collector’s closet, especially for those seeking one of the most popular purse brands around. For longtime fans of this best luxury brand, the classic “C”-printed bags in brown and tan colors are a hallmark, so that’s why it’s no surprise that the newer Gen Z generation has come to obsess over the baguette bags with the same pattern. If you aren’t lucky enough to find a vintage bag while thrifting, don’t worry, as COACH still carries the iconic pattern and more.
Made of fine leather and featuring a very of-the-moment baguette shape, the Alter/Ego Small Shoulder Bag is great for dates and other occasions that only require the basics.
Our Senior Manager of Commerce SEO, Meaghan Seward, swears by her COACH bag. “COACH is obviously iconic, but the brand has come a long way from the “C” bags that were everywhere in the 2000s and 2010s. The classic structures and neutral tones are timeless and appeal to the masses, making the brand a very smart investment for an everyday purse.”
Roche finds that they offer a “fun range” and “trendy styles” that make interesting statement pieces in all shapes and sizes. She adds, “COACH purses are always high-quality and durable, yet at relatively attainable price points, especially when shopping the outlet. As someone who’s not quite a bag lady, but not quite a just phone, keys and lip gloss girlie, the Brooklyn Shoulder Tote is perfect for me to grab and go. It’s simple and fits everything I need without the bulk and weight of a highly structured big bag.”
Best for Hobo Bags: The Sak
Pros:
- Unique and well-made designs
- Moderately priced
- A certified B Corp brand
- It has a French purse brand feel with the slouchy, care-free style over the shoulder
Cons:
- Not a great choice for the resale market
Doesn’t the name say it all? For handbags of any kind, especially for those seeking the best hobo brand purses, head over to The Sak and you’ll find the right one, from the Los Feliz Tote to Sequoia Hobo. For a more classic look, the bestsellers page is full of great choices in many colors and styles, including the 120 Hobo Sak. The homepage makes it easy to select the exact proportions and features that you’re looking for to find “the one.”
Best Affordable: Quince
Pros:
- Direct-to-consumer business model makes purses more affordable
- High-quality materials
- Large variety
Maybe you don’t care about the cache of designer labels and are more concerned with value for quality. If that’s the case, you’ll love the purses and Quince. The direct-to-consumer retailer has a wide selection of options, perfect for work, play, and even travel.
The Italian Leather Crossbody($100) will be a favorite if you desire a clutch but demand the functionality of a larger bag. And if you require something larger, perhaps for work, go with the Italian Suede Shopper Tote ($178), which Seward also owns and loves.
I’ve been eyeing this handsome suede tote from Quince for over a year, and it totally lived up to my expectations. It features on-trend, gorgeous, luxurious-feeling Italian suede throughout. Suede is so trendy for fall 2025, but this bag is genuinely timeless. Its commuter-friendly, roomy interior is perfect for my Hydro Flask, AirPods and other office essentials, and I love that it has both zippered and un-zippered pockets plus a protected laptop sleeve. The outer pockets are useful as well, making this bag just as functional as it is fashionable. I read several reviews saying the suede and color easily transfer onto clothes, so I preemptively treated it with this protective spray. I can’t wait to take this tote from work to happy hour!
Pros:
- Functional design with pockets, made for people on the go, all day long
- One of the best affordable purse brands, with options as low as $15
- Easy to care for
Cons:
- Not a great choice for the resale market
For the woman (or man) on the go, Dagne Dover provides functional, stylish options for carrying your entire life around. Designed with your laptop, accessories, keys, and phone in mind, each style is equipped to get you through the day. From the Dakota Neoprene Backpack for all your hands-free needs to a sophisticated but practical Daily Tote Bag, there is a style for you. Ideal for those seeking the best sustainable purse brand, I’m sure you’ll find something you like.
Sophie Cannon, our manager of commerce strategy and development, said, “Dagne Dover is the queen of neoprene. I wore their Ace Fanny Pack to the Governor’s Ball music festival in New York this summer and it provided the perfect amount of pockets, plus purple style, matching my festival look. I also loved the back zipper pocket, which is a great place for valuables like credit cards and keys, as the pocket lays flush against your body and can prevent tricky pickpockets. The purse brand itself is super durable and I would also recommend their duffles for an airport personal item or a weekend road trip.”
Pros:
- High-quality materials
- A classic celebrity bag that pushes past trends
Cons:
- The suede material may need to be spot-cleaned
Stella McCartney, daughter of the esteemed rock star Paul McCartney, makes the hottest It-bag amongst celebrities and civilians alike. Her most popular bag is the Falabella Shaggy Deer Faux Leather Foldover Tote, seen hanging off the shoulders of Kim Kardashian, Kate Hudson, and Anne Hathaway.
McCartney bags are a necessary step to effortless, quiet luxury. They will never go out of style, but her limited-time colors fly off the shelves, so if you have your eye on one, don’t hesitate. It might sell out! If the large tote is too big, consider her smaller mini-me totes that have the same look and feel but smaller.
New York Post Review: “It’s made of soft, durable suede that holds up really well with a gorgeous chain that feels like jewelry. I own the shimmer-struck tote trimmed with gold, currently available in black and grey.I love this bag because it fits my laptop for work. I know it might sound a bit ridiculous to use a designer bag for such heavy lifting, but honestly, I get more use out of this one than my Chanel. With fewer special occasions than 9-5 workdays, my in-office work routine has me reaching for this bag way more often. And I feel like a million bucks each time I do.” – Emma Sutton-Williams, commerce reporter
Best Leather Bags: HOBO
Pros:
- High-quality leather designs that weather well with time
- Moderately priced
Cons:
- Only sells leather designs
If you’re looking for a durable and stylish bag to take you through the day-to-day, we highly recommend the purse brand Hobo. From crossbody bags to convertibles, it has an assortment of looks to carry you from day to night, each with an artisanal flare. Free shipping is available for orders of $175 or more, and there’s even a sale under $100 section with lots of cute options.
Can’t choose? Say hello to the Sheila Medium Satchel, which offers plenty of room for basics plus extra! It has a removable strap for when you prefer to carry it by hand, comes in more than five colors, and offers an abundance of pockets for your keys, phone, and wallet.
Pros:
- A luxury brand that can retain value if kept up in good condition
Cons:
- Price point is on the higher side
Ever the trendsetter, Marc Jacobs can always be trusted to bring us innovative designs with a modern edge. A must-consider for those who love a statement piece, the bags from the designer are made to stand out. Whether it be a mini bag with a removable strap or a tote for fabulous weekend trips, you’re sure to find something to make your outfit pop! Items can be found as low as $250.
Pros:
- Great customer service
- Inventory is often restocked with only the highest-quality items
Cons:
- Bags fly off the shelf, so you need to be quick and keep a keen eye on new shipments
What Goes Around Comes Around is a not-so-hidden jewel of New York City. It’s where I purchased the most beautiful Chanel of all time, in mint condition and over 25 years old with real gold plating. The sales assistants are very knowledgeable (shoutout to Sydney, who assisted me in SoHo) and can walk you through value, style, and what it will resell for if you are looking for an investment piece. Find everything from YSL to Hermès. What Goes Around Comes Around selects only the finest goods that are in excellent condition.
We also created a designer bag roundup worth the investment to buy and sell your fashion finds when you want to switch it up.
Pros:
- Classic, versatile styles
- Very durable and well-made
Cons:
- Price point can be a little high
- If you enjoy quiet luxury, this logo-centric brand may not be for you
This is another super-recognizable brand, and not just because of the iconic logo on the front of many of its bags. Tory Burch purses are timeless, and even the new seasonal collections can really be worn any time of the year (and for years after their launch), making them worth the investment. Luckily, even the new styles are sold online at Saks Fifth Avenue, so you can get your hands on a handbag without leaving your home.
Consider the Ella Logo Tote Bag for a front and center logo, available in black and taupe, or the Small Eleanor Rectangular Bag, which is made with quilted leather, completed with gold hardware and the Tory Burch logo.
What is the best brand of purse to buy?
When it comes to fashion, the best of anything is often relative to one’s personal taste. However, if you’re interested in high-end purse brands Kate Spade and Coach remain popular amongst shoppers.
Along with being recognizable names in the fashion industry, each designer never fails to bring a fresh perspective to their classic style house, which seems to resonate with shoppers.
Many women love Kate Spade’s Knott Medium Satchel ($209) for its easy to carry design, as well as for the storage it offers. We love it for all the color options it comes in, as well as its exterior, which is made from a combo of Italian and pebbled leather.
The Lana 23 ($395) is a bestseller at Coach and has a sophisticated look with its delicately slouchy sides and spacious interior. We like carrying it as a handbag, but it also has a strap to wear it crossbody style.
What brand of handbags are trending?
Handbags and designer purse brands are a great way to follow trends without completely redoing your wardrobe. They can also dress up a basic outfit, making one look effortlessly polished and of the now.
Currently, a lot of fashionable folks are searching Furla Handbags, which start around $238. One of the most admired Italian purse brands, it’s been around since 1927, and has been a trusted name when it comes to designer purses and accessories.
If you love designer handbags but are watching your coins, consider shopping places like Fashionphile and FarFetch for certified, pre-owned designer finds. You’ll be shocked by what you find, as well as the excellent condition of this fashion collectibles.
Another great place to find trending designer purses is Amazon, which is our go-to place for high-quality but cheap purse brands. The online retailer The Shop by shopbop has a huge section of pre-loved handbags, such as The Small Tote ($395) from Marc Jacob and the Tory Burch Women’s Eleanor Satchel ($798).
What are the best luxury purse brands?
If you’re searching for name brand purses, there are a handful of designers that continue to be well regarded in the fashion industry. While many of the pieces are investments, lots of ladies find it almost a right of passage to have at least one “big girl bag” from one of them.
Some of these brands include:
This article was written by Emma Sutton-Williams, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter and resident fashionista. Emma is one of the best-dressed ladies in The Post’s office, and also known for finding an unbelievable deal on any one of her stylish outfits. Divulging on everything from the most-popular and most-underrated purse brands to her honest thoughts on Kim Kardashian’s Skims undergarments and apparel, Emma has cultivated an eye for style and an expertise for identifying the clothes and accessories worth your coin. At the same time, she proudly models the products she picks so you can see their fit and function first-hand. Emma has been creating shopping guides for The Post since 2024, and previously held bylines in Rolling Stone, Oprah Daily, Parents, InStyle, StyleCaster and more.
Check out New York Post Shopping for more content.
Let’s be honest—no matter how stressful the day gets, a good viral video can instantly lift your mood. Whether it’s a funny pet doing something silly, a heartwarming moment between strangers, or a wild dance challenge, viral videos are what keep the internet fun and alive.