"A few months ago, I found myself hovering over the check out button on a website known for its TikTok-famous knockoff designer pieces. After my moment of weakness, I came to and realized that, despite assuming I’d be able to afford a designer bag by the time I hit my 30s, the path to owning a bag I loved wasn’t through ordering a fake. As someone who doesn’t come from a long lineage of luxury handbags that were passed down to me (nor a bank account that can shell out the cash on one), I decided to dive deeper into the world of mid-range bags instead.
After years of being a stylist, I know that creating reasonably priced, quality handbags is possible. Are designer brands continuing to charge thousands of dollars because of their supreme craftsmanship, or just because of the name associated with them? TikTok creator Volkan Yilmaz (who goes by Tanner Leatherstein on the app), has garnered the attention of more than one million users as he quite literally rips brands apart by tearing into luxury goods and diving into the quality of the pieces. After watching a few rather jarring videos of Leatherstein dissecting designer bags, it became evident that higher price tags don’t necessarily equate to higher standards of craftmanship.
As the prices of designer handbags have continued to shoot up—the price of the Chanel Classic Flap bag has notoriously almost doubled in the past five years—more and more affordably priced bag designers have begun to make their mark. While riding the excitement of realizing I didn’t need to fork over my life’s savings for a bag that would last me a lifetime, I sought out to find the very best mid-range bags on the market. These are the ones I have my eye on now:
DeMellier London
Known for mixing the old with the new, London-based brand DeMellier produces ethically and sustainably made leather bags that are modern, but stand the test of time. A percent of every purchase also goes toward funding vaccines and medical treatments for children in need through their “A Bag, A Life” initiative.
Polène
Polène’s popularity has continued to rise over the past few years thanks to their innovative designs that combine minimalism with creative expression and supreme craftmanship. I currently have my eye on the Numéro Neuf, but the Cyme bag has also been gaining major traction on TikTok.
Behno New York
Behno, which translates to “sisters” in Hindi, was founded out of a desire to improve poor working conditions in the textile industry. Now, Behno can be seen all over the world, making their name as a sustainable, minimal luxury brand.
Songmont
Rooted in rich cultural heritage, Songmont offers some of the chicest mid-range bags on the market. From mini duffles to playful bucket bags, this brand has my full attention.
Manu Atelier
With their bags being carried by A-list celebs like Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber, Manu Atelier has quickly risen to popularity as of late. It’s giving The Row without the price tag.
Staud
While we probably know Staud by their instantly recognizable Moon or Tommy Bags, their lesser-known bags are also worth checking out.
Dragon Diffusion
Dragon Diffusion is whipping up hand-woven leather bags with on-demand production that could have you waiting up to 10 weeks to get your hands on one—but their bags are so beautiful, they’re well worth the wait.
Ganni
Ganni is one of those brands that just screams “fun” in everything they release. When it comes to handbags, they’re not afraid to push the boundaries through out-of-the-box prints, colors, materials. I personally own the Bou Bag and it’s been one of my best purchases to date.
Marge Sherwood
Marge Sherwood has been living in my head rent-free since I first saw this stunning Baguette Bag a few months ago. The Outpocket Hobo Bag is giving Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century in the best way possible.
Coperni
The first time I saw a Coperni bag (more specifically, their Mini Swipe Bag), I thought my friend had brought a kettlebell to dinner. After a good laugh, I became enamored with Coperni’s ingenious bag designs, many of which are inspired by the iPhone’s swipe button.
Cult Gaia
You’ll never forget a Cult Gaia bag, and chances are you can spot one of their stand-out designs from a mile away. While they’re famous for their sculptural evening bags, I’m loving their latest collection of understated, everyday designs.
By Far
When I recently saw this picture of Rita Ora, I immediately closed Instagram and did some sleuthing to find out where I could get the bag she was carrying. It came as no surprise that it was by the brand By Far, whose statement-making designs are rooted in playfulness and innovation.
Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl and specializes in reporting on the season’s latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she’s committed to injecting joy into the art of getting dressed and delivering attainable yet aspirational content to our readers.