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As much as I love the idea of overhauling my closet every season, that simply isn’t sustainable—nor is it economical. I can, however, convince myself that investing in a chic designer bag is well worth my time (and money). After all, the right bag—especially one made with superior quality—is one of the best ways to spruce up an outfit. Personally speaking, I’ve found that a beautiful bag is the easiest way to dress up my off-duty uniform: a T-shirt and jeans. And when you have one that can transcend seasons or retain its value over time, well, I don’t need to do the girl math for you. Plus, nothing beats a wardrobe built on longevity, right?
Spotting the best designer bags isn’t always easy—and a lot of times, it’s based solely on instinct: What’s the bag that moves you? Of course, you’re probably here for a primer on where to start—and lucky for you, my eyes have a way of finding the of-the-moment styles everyone’s talking about.
Below, I’ve created a definitive list of the must-know designer bags to have on your radar this season, along with a couple of additions from my equally chic colleagues. There are designer totes and hobo bags, along with ultra-chic suede options you’ll want to carry all the time. Scroll on to see them all.
Brooklyn Shoulder Bag
With an under-$300 price point, a timeless, everyday hobo silhouette, and Bella Hadid’s seal of approval, I can’t think of a reason not to have this bag in your regular rotation.
Dimensions: Height: 11 inches; width: 11 inches; depth: 3.25 inches
Colors: 8 options
Material: Natural grain leather
$295.00 at coach.com
Buckle Small Leather Handbag With Belt
And now, the bag I personally cannot get out of my mind. Prada’s belted bag seems to embody all that Prada is: modern and unexpected yet inherently classic. The silhouette of this leather top-handle style is undoubtedly timeless, but that belted detail gives it that extra something that makes it stand out—plus, I especially love this bright white hue for the colder months. Oh, and by the way: several versions of this bag were seen on the label’s spring/summer 2025 runway, so you know this is a good investment.
Dimensions: Height: 9.05 inches; width: 12.2 inches; depth: 4.33 inches
Colors: White/Black, Black, Caramel, Clay Gray
Material: Leather
$5400.00 at prada.com
Aventure Suede Shoulder Bag
From the runway to my heart—and every Instagram photo in between—this bag now lives rent-free in my mind. It’s incredibly chic on its own, thanks to that caramel-brown hue. However, it’s just as cool with some bright and colorful beads, ties, or charms—the world is your oyster for making it your own.
Dimensions: Height: 8.8 inches; width: 17.3 inches; depth: 5.7 inches
Colors: Brown, Green
Material: Lamb leather
$4200.00 at saksfifthavenue.com
Romy Hobo Bag
You’ve likely heard of Tory Burch’s Romy Tote, which is worthy of anyone’s wardrobe. However, for those who prefer a more streamlined, minimalist approach from the brand, the Romy Hobo is the perfect option. With an adjustable strap and a silhouette that fits the curve of your shoulder, this will be the essential everyday bag for all your essentials with some space to spare.
Dimensions: Height: 14.6 inches; width: 11.8 inches; depth: 4.9 inches
Colors: Black, Light Cream, Wild Mushroom, Tiramisu
Material: Pebbled leather
$498.00 at toryburch.com
Baby Sardine
I don’t know too many women who would forgo the option of a hands-free lifestyle with the help of a chic crossbody bag. This has the polish that Bottega is known for but with a quirky touch, thanks to the sardine-shaped handle.
Dimensions: Height: 4.7 inches; width: 7.9 inches; depth: 1 inch
Colors: Barolo, Black, Sapele, Chalk
Material: Leather
$3600.00 at bottegaveneta.com
Medium Squeeze Bag
While Loewe is no novice in making high-quality designer bags, the Spanish heritage brand has consistently been a top, must-have label (and bags) in recent years. Its hottest silhouette is the Squeeze—which is equal parts sophistication and whimsy. It comes in a wide range of eye-catching colors, but I’m particularly fond of this olive green hue for the colder months.
Dimensions: Height: 13 inches; width: 13.4 inches; depth: 5.3 inches
Colors: 8 options
Material: Mellow nappa lambskin
$4950.00 at loewe.com
Bracelet Bag Mini
By now, you already know—boho is back. So, why not get yourself a designer bag from one of the luxury brands that does it best?
Dimensions: Height: 5.5 inches; width: 12.5 inches; depth: 3.9 inches
Colors: Black, Clay Brown, Vegetal Beige, Sea Grass, Woodrose
Material: Shiny-grained calfskin leather
$2850.00 at Bergdorf Goodman
B Medium Shoulder Bag
Gucci’s take on the slouchy, hobo-esque silhouette—which was inspired by a 1950s shape—gives a new perspective on quiet luxury. The logo-less design is undoubtedly polished, but that soft and supple leather gives it an ease that makes it perfect for an everyday shoulder bag.
Dimensions: Height: 18.2 inches; width: 19.3 inches; depth: 1.6 inches
Colors: Light brown
Materials: Suede
$4400.00 at gucci.com
Le 5 à 7 Small Hobo
I love hobo bags—so much that I wrote an entire story on them so you (and I) can shop the best hobo bags of the moment. Of course, you’re here for a reason, which means you’re likely looking for a designer option that is well worth your dollars. Saint Laurent’s offering [pictured here] is perfectly slouchy and will work well as an everyday leather tote.
Dimensions: Height: 6.7 inches; width: 10.2 inches; depth: 4.3 inches
Colors: Black, Light Mask, Crema Soft, Red
Material: Leather with suede lining
$2650.00 at neimanmarcus.com
Le Teckel Suede East/West Clutch
Oh, how the Alaïa Le Teckel silhouette has captured the hearts of fashion lovers everywhere. If you’ve been keeping an eye on fashion’s must-have It items, no doubt you’ve seen the French fashion house’s shoulder bag, but its equally chic east-west style is the latest rendition I’ve been noticing among my peers and icons, which is leading me to believe that this is the next version on the fashion set’s watchlist.
Dimensions: Height: 4 inches; width: 12.25 inches; depth: 2.75 inches
Colors: Noir, Rouge Grenat
Material: Leather
$2350.00 at nordstrom.com
Ryder Faux Suede Crossbody Bag
Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about this purse. It feels like an unexpected take on the doctor bag trend that’s been bubbling up this spring, and this light khaki green color is the right amount of neutral without feeling like your standard black, white, brown, or beige bag. And, if I may add, the silhouette seems prime for a chic scarf or charm.
Dimensions: Height: 7.5 inches; width: 14 inches; depth: 6.5 inches
Colors: Khaki
Material: Synthetic
$1775.00 at nordstrom.com
Symmetry Pochette Suede Top Handle Bag
This elegant top-handle bag is the under-the-radar bag that’s seemingly everywhere among the most stylish women I know. Currently an IYKYK-type brand, you’ll no doubt be seen as the ahead-of-the-trend woman in your friend group.
Dimensions: Height: 9 inches; width: 5 inches; depth: 3 inches
Colors: Sepia, Camellia
Material: Suede
$1390.00 at nordstrom.com
Medium Hug Handbag
There’s something so charming about this bag—most likely the fact that it’s called the Hug bag, with its little leather arms and whatnot. But in the classic Ferragamo shade of red, I can’t help but also describe this as downright hot. Hey, the best of both worlds. Of course, if this Flame Red isn’t your thing, it also comes in a variety of neutral shades like black, olive, and navy. I also wore this beauty during New York Fashion Week adorned with personalized bag charms, and I have to tell you: It got all the compliments.
Dimensions: Height: 8.5 inches; width: 12.5 inches; depth: 7.5 inches
Colors: Flame Red
Material: Leather
$3000.00 at saksfifthavenue.com
Belted Suede Bucket Bag
We all love suede—right? This supple everyday tote is just the thing to give your everyday ensembles a sophisticated touch—with a twist in the form of that elongated buckle. Plus, this bag is big enough to serve as your work tote, with enough room to fit a 13-inch laptop and more.
Dimensions: Height: 15.5 inches; width: 14 inches; depth: 7 inches
Colors: Dark Brown, Cinnamon
Material: Suede
$795.00 at saksfifthavenue.com
Simona Shoulder Bag
It’s no secret that the ELLE fashion team loves Khaite, which makes some of the best accessories overall. When I asked our assistant accessories editor, Madison Rexroat, what she’s thinking for must-have designer bags, she said, “any Khaite bag, really.” One particular bag I’ve been spotting everywhere is the Simona—which is especially cool in this snake print. The quality is amazing, and the aesthetic is sleek enough to go with any outfit, which means it’ll be a great investment when you think about the cost per wear.
Dimensions: Height: 9.8 inches; width: 22 inches; depth: 9.8 inches
Colors: Cedar
Material: Suede
$1900.00 at Khaite
Medium North South Park Tote Bag
There’s no denying it: The Row makes good bags. I know there’s a particular style that’s been selling out for the past year—and understandably so, it’s beautiful. But in case you want another option, this sleek and simple tote is just what the doctor ordered.
Dimensions: Height: 16 inches; width: 11 inches; depth: 6 inches
Colors: Chestnut
Material: Leather
$2450.00 at fwrd.com
Le Roseau M Shoulder Bag Paper
I own this bag—and can I just say, it completely eclipsed my go-to work tote the moment I got it (and trust me, I was not expecting that). The size is perfect to hold all of my daily essentials along with a 13-inch laptop—its bucket silhouette feels elevated but casual enough for everyday occasions, and the strap sits comfortably on my shoulder. I opted for a pretty winter white, but it comes in six other colors, including two vibrant ones: orange and green.
Dimensions: Height: 11.8 inches; width: 10.2 inches; 5.1 inches
Colors: 6 options
Material: Grained leather
$740.00 at Longchamp
T-Lock Leather Clutch
“In the not-too-big and not-too-small department, Toteme’s T-Lock bag reigns supreme. I’m also a huge fan of the versatility of this bag as its clutch design is fancy enough for evenings, while the structured finish and roomier size make it a polished grab for everyday wear.”—Alexis Bennett Parker, commerce content lead
Dimensions: Height: 3.5 inches; width: 5.5 inches; depth: 3.5 inches
Colors: Milk Grain, Black, Tan
Material: Leather
$990.00 at saksfifthavenue.com
Peekaboo Soft Medium Tote Bag
In case you haven’t heard, slouchy is in—and what better way to take on the trend than with this soft take on Fendi’s classic Peekabo? This will have the perfectly worn-in look of a well-loved bag without all the wear.
Dimensions: Height: 10 inches; width: 13 inches; depth: 4 inches
Colors: Black, Beige
Material: Leather
$6400.24 at Cettire
Nano Sparkle Sequins Shoulder Bag
“A paillette Paco Rabanne bag is perfect for any season, especially for those of us whose style sways towards maximalism. It’ll catch the light on sizzling summer days and will also sparkle and shimmer on glamorous winter nights. It might read like a Y2K trend piece, but this bag has been around—and will be around—way longer than any trend.”—Madison Rexroat, fashion and accessories assistant.
Dimensions: Height: 16 inches; width: 12.5 inches; depth: 2.5 inches
Colors: Silver
Material: Mirrored discs
$820.00 at Neiman Marcus
Small Dior Caro Backpack
When you have the option to go hands-free, why wouldn’t you? I don’t think I’ve seen a backpack look so elegant. Even if it’s a more casual silhouette, there’s no doubt you’ll be the chicest woman on the go when you wear this backpack style from Dior.
Dimensions: Height: 7.5 inches; width: 7.5 inches; depth: 3.5 inches
Colors: Black, Latte, Hydrangea
Material: Leather
$3500.00 at dior.com
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