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Think of any designer luxury bag you could buy right now. A few popular silhouettes might come to mind: The Dior Saddle; The Prada Cleo; Gucci's latest iteration of their 1960s style, The Jackie. But what if we told you the expert-approved move might be to spend your money on lesser-known, mid-tier luxury brands? Recently, there seems to have been an uptick of people complaining about being fatigued by the designer luxury bag space — you know, those big Fashion Houses that come to mind when asked if you could have any bag, which one would you get? — and they have some pretty convincing points about why to invest in a lesser-known, but still up-to-par, name-brand bag.
It goes without saying that it'll cost you if you're looking to invest in a luxury designer bag. The price of some Chanel bags has risen by almost two-thirds since before the pandemic, while other brands, from Bottega to Hermès, have also raised prices. Take the revitalized Fendi Baguette, for example. Dubbed the "one of the first true It bags" by Vogue, it is still reminiscent of its iconic Y2K silhouette, but price tags are heftier than ever. We're talking basically the same bag with a price increase that has more than doubled (the average cost in 2006 was $1,500 and now is around $3,800).
Owning a designer bag has become increasingly inaccessible. Even if you're looking at resale sites like The Real Real and Vestiaire Collective, prices might not budge or only go for a not-so-noticeable difference from what they sell for in-store. So, we hear you if you have a hard time justifying spending so much on a bag you're not totally in love with — or are just feeling generally unimpressed by this year's styles.
Many Gen Z consumers turn to vintage or mid-tier luxury for their handbags. According to The Real Real, demand for the "collectible vintage" category is up by 439%. And if you're not familiar with mid-range luxury, the tagline explainer goes like this: "Pricer than Zara, cheaper than Prada" — and it's an uber-popular option, too.
Fashion Trend Forecaster and Editor Kendall Becker observed a notable spike in interest on Trendalytics in mid-priced luxury brands and average weekly searches. She shares why that might be: "With easy access to information from TikTok to publications, consumers are increasingly becoming interested in where their products are coming from and how they're made––case in point, understanding that often a price-tag doesn't necessarily correspond to quality," Becker tells Teen Vogue.
Quality has been top-of-mind for buyers. One leather expert and TikToker, Tanner Leatherstein, is even going viral for cutting up popular styles (yes — you read that right. He's literally taking scissors to a Prada. The pain!) to show whether or not the materials are worth the price tag. Not to mention, even Beyoncé might be feeling the fatigue. In her album, Renaissance, she name-checks Telfar— the much more affordable, Black-owned brand — as her go-to, while her Hermès Birkin stays "in storage."
As it turns out, some might purchase with the same sentiment as that iconic Beyoncé song line. People might be swapping legacy bags for vegan leather totes because of the desired uniqueness. Carrying a bag more true to a carrier's value might have more currency than a label. Gen-Z, statistically the most eco-conscious generation, has been embracing the vintage and second-hand clothing and accessory market and is also proudly adopting the; just because everyone has it, doesn't mean I have to mindset.
And with marketing tactics like influencer seeding, expensive no longer means inherently exclusive. Prada, for example, sends out their "It-bag" each season to celebrities and influencers. And while luxury bands still seem incredibly targeted in who they send free things to maintain an air of exclusivity, social media has made the styles feel overdone due to them being algorithmically fed to us so often. Whether or not you find it a genius business plan, you must admit that you've probably seen the brand's geometric triangle silhouette on the arm of someone you follow. Instead, now Gen-Z is equating personal style to their personality and as an act of rebellious autonomy; Fashion is no longer about status. It's about ownership of oneself in a highly consumerist world. Purchasing a mid-their brand might give you room to buy something else daring — or more faithful to your personal style.
Mid-tier luxury can have a bit of everything: high-quality materials, fashion-forward aesthetics, achievable price points, and — arguably the most important —- a style that feels more your own. One that, ultimately, you can have fun with.
"Let's say you're saving up for a heritage designer bag that'll cost as much as your rent; chances are you'll want to stick to a neutral or timeless silhouette," Kendall Becker tells Teen Vogue. "But, choosing between $200-700 options encourages consumers to try new brands and styles."
We've got you covered if you need help figuring out where to start in your handbag journey. Here are some selects we're currently crushing on, all $700 and below:
This retro-inspired mini bag from Simon Miller — an LA-Based cool girl brand seen on celebs like Gigi Hadid and Miley Cyrus — is a playful take on classic luxury. It’s a patent Vegan Leather shoulder bag in bold and bright colors, from a texturized lime to poppy blue hues.
You don’t have to be all-in on the western boho trend to be all-in on this GANNI saddle. It’s a neutral colorway, so it’s easy enough to pair for everyday wear, but it also features an embroidered logo and embossed pattern that can also make it a super fun statement piece. It’s a great wardrobe addition, no matter how you style. The best of both worlds, am I right?
STAUD is a vintage-inspired California label that you need on your radar. Their RTW is made of unique, colorful aesthetics at an accessible price point, and their accessories follow a similar pattern. Oh, and speaking of patterns: The Staud Tommy Bag has plenty of ’em. This beaded shoulder bag comes in exciting and ornate designs, from seasonal peaches to colorful zebra prints.
If simplicity and classic styles are more your speed, Polène is one to watch. This particular half-moon style, popularized by brands like Ralph Lauren and Celine this year, is practical yet sleek. It’s an equestrian-inspired silhouette with two strap lengths, meaning you can wear it crossbody, on the shoulder, or even by your elbow.
By Far was started shoe label, but since 2018 they’ve been dominating the accessory space with lots of celebrity endorsements. Hailey Beiber and Kendall Jenner love By Far bags, meaning you probably will, too. Plenty of the brand’s inspo comes from early aught classics like Friends and SATC. If your style is 90s, the patent leather gem is sure to be the structured shoulder bag from your dreams.
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If only every accessory could be as cool as the Ostra by Carolina Santo Domingo. We know circular bags have already taken over, but this particular style has a unique twist on the popular trend. This over-the-shoulder moment is designed to loosely embody the delicate shape of an oyster, which can transform a circular bag into one with asymmetric detailing with the help of a notched strap.
This Black-owned brand has caught the eyes of Beyoncé and has even made it into Issa Rae’s “Insecure” for a reason: It’s sustainable, chic, and refreshing. Founded by Wilglory Tanjong, she pulled inspiration for her lines from matriarchs of her past. Each bag is hand-stitched in Senegal and follows a zero-waste model, meaning no handbag fatigue — because no two designers are alike. So whether you select a mico-mini top handle or a geometric multicolored bag, your style will be yours.
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This clutch by Mansur Gavriel can elevate any look, anytime. It’s a super-soft, circular framed bag with a multicolored resin strap. It’s a perfect paradox: It’s charming but timeless; It’s youthful but sophisticated. Not to mention, you could wear it to an event, but it also can be worn with your favorite athleisure set.
This resort-inspired bucket bag is meant to bring perpetual summer to your closet. It’s made of glass beads that wrap around the straps, creating in-bloom flowers. The bag also features a mesh interior to hold your essentials, like your Dior lip oil.
Again, with the lustrous geometric shapes, this shoulder bag from Aesther Ekme is a structural moment. The brand is no stranger to a pair-with-everything piece, and this Demi Lune bag brings a bit of edge to a capsule wardrobe. It’s the type of investment piece that’ll stay in your closet for years.
All your Barbiecore dreams will come true with this fuchsia Coperni Swipe Bag. It’s a curved triangular baguette that is Dua Lipa and Doja Cat-approved. There are tons of different versions on the site, from glassware options to horned iterations, but our pick is this shade with a monochromatic big pants/little top combo.
