While even 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 (they are an investment – the right designer handbags will increase in value in the second-hand resell market), there’s a series of 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 experts at British Vogue have done the hard work for you. Scroll down to see our ultimate designer handbag line-up.
The best designer handbags at a glance: The future heirloom: The Row Margaux 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. According to fashion e-tailer, Matches, the brand’s roomy Margaux tote is particularly noteworthy and continues to sell out within a week of upload. The sculptural style: Loewe Puzzle Bag 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. The party bag: Fendi Baguette 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. The wear-anywhere top-handle: Aspinal Mayfair First introduced by Aspinal’s creative director Mariya Dykalo in 2008, the brand’s Mayfair bag has become a favourite among celebrities and royals alike. The bag is recognisable by its boxy shape – available in midi, mini and nano sizes – central clasp and shapely top handle.
The XXL tote: Khaite Lotus bag 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. The Noughties throwback: Balenciaga City bag Balenciaga’s 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, has 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. The minimalist hero: Bottega Veneta Andiamo 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. The personality shoulder bag: JW Anderson Bumper bag For those who want a feel-good accessory that will instantly elevate any outfit, JW Anderon’s Bumper bag is the style for you. Another Jonathan Anderson creation, the Bumper was launched in JW Anderson’s 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. The archival revival: Prada Re-Addition 2000 As Noughties throwback mania started to creep in in 2019, Prada reprised two of its beloved bags – the Re-Edition 2000 and the Re-Edition 2005. Instantly recognisable by its nylon outer and triangle insignia, it instantly became a celeb favourite and was spotted on the likes of Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie.
The work-ready tote: Givenchy Antigona 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 style for work, the bag comes with a trapezoid shape, boxy-yet-roomy interior and sturdy top handle. The timeless icon: Hermès Birkin Is there any handbag more iconic that the Hermès Birkin ? We think not.
Created in 1984, the bag was named after fashion icon and actress, 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 one, but this is one purchase that will last a lifetime – and then some.
The quiet luxury companion: Toteme T-Lock bag “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.
” The crossbody: Gucci 1955 Horsebit shoulder bag First conceived six decades ago, Gucci’s Horsebit bag has become one of the brand’s most famous bag designs, identifiable by 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. The classic bag: Saint Laurent Kate 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. The cult archive bag: Dior Lady Dior 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. The slouchy crossbody: Lemaire Croissant 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. The travel tote: Louis Vuitton Neverfull 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.
The do-it-all mini bag: Miu Miu Wander bag 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. The structured tote: Mulberry Bayswater 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 recently dipped into the Mulberry archive and revived 27 of its key vintage styles (all of which are limited edition), including the Bayswater..
