TL;DR
1. Mansur Gavriel – Mini Cloud Clutch & Bucket Bag
2. Senreve – Maestra Bag & Aria Belt Bag
3. Cult Gaia – Ark Mini & Hera Nano Rhinestone Shoulder Bag
4. Cuyana – Easy Tote & System Tote
5. Strathberry – Midi Tote & Nano Tote
6. Staud – Moon Bag & Beaded Bag
7. Loewe – Basket Bag & Puzzle Bag
If there was ever a single item that truly exuded style and effortless elegance, it would arguably be the classic purse. 👛
And thanks to the depth of the fashion industry, we can now look beyond the classic luxury brands and venture out into a wider range of amazing purse creators that may be flying a little under the radar.
In this article, we highlight some of the best purse brands that are quietly but confidently sending shockwaves through the market, proving that some of the best purses need not cost an arm and a leg but can still elevate style to levels unimaginable. 😍😍😍
Why you should trust us
Our team has spent over 15 hours extensively testing and researching the best purse brands. Our goal is to find the best brands who care about your well-being and help people live better lives. We evaluate products based on their quality, effectiveness and customer support.
We often ask ourselves a simple question: would we buy the product for ourselves and recommend it to our family and friends? This review is reviewed and thoroughly vetted by Amy Bells, our in-house wellness and self-care expert and product tester herself!
Mansur Gavriel
If what you seek is timeless elegance with the tiniest hint of quirkiness and whimsy, then Mansur Gavriel may be the best purse brand for you. Donned by the likes of Margot Robbie, Drew Barrymore and Amy Schumer, it’s clear that even Hollywood royalty have flocked to the brand in adoration. 👑
As a brand recently born in 2013, Mansur Gavrile shot to fame for redefining luxury with a distinctive approach to color and form. Their secret to fame comes from expertly constructed modern bags, all crafted from exceptional materials that bring comfort and pride to their wearers.
Among their best-sellers is the uber chic Mini Cloud Clutch which comes with a removable stretch that converts the clutch into a crossbody or even a belt bag, if desired. The unique curved frame of the bag evokes the singular characteristics of a cloud, being both soft and sculptural at the same time. We love that it comes in a wide range of 9 colors which are striking yet wearable, proving that the brand aims to create something for everyone. ✔️✔️✔️
Another hit is their classic Bucket Bag, an iconic original from the brand which truly got their name out there. This bag holds everything you could possibly need, from overnight essentials to even a small laptop. This bag will follow you everywhere you need, and adapts to every occasion. 😉
All of Mansur Gavriel’s leather bags come in a high-quality, vegetable-tanned leather that is sourced from a family-owned tannery in Italy. It’s intended to age naturally over time, growing in character with more use. If you’re looking for a treasure to last the years with you, then Mansur Gavriel’s bags certainly fit the bill.
Another beloved feature the brand offers is its monogramming services. Each monogram is hand-painted, creating a one-of-a-kind piece with customizable font, sizing and colors. Perfect for a gift for a loved one, or even a treat for yourself. 🤪
Senreve
If you’re the modern woman who prizes a perfect mashup of luxury and approachability, join the ranks of celebrity A-listers who have flocked through Senreve’s handbags in throngs. Senreve, who is a combination of the french words for “sense” and “dream” has perfectly captured the essence of the modern elegant woman, as seen proudly donned by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Garner and Anna Kendrick. 😎🤩
One of their most popular designs, the Maestra Bag is simply art in motion, with no compromise made as to practicality. It’s an artfully minimalistic purse that can be worn 4 ways, as a backpack, crossbody, satchel and a tote. The leather is precious yet hardy, being both scratch and water-resistant, so you know the purse will stand the test of time. It’s also surprisingly spacious, housing a laptop of up to 15”.
If you’re looking for something a little more petite, check out the uber cute Aria Belt Bag, which fits a phone of up to 6.7” with card slots and a zip pocket for security. In keeping with their signature versatility, the bag can be worn 5 different ways: Belt Bag, Sling, Shoulder, Crossbody, Clutch. With its classic silhouette and effortlessly elegant appeal, the purse fits in seamlessly into any occasion you may have. 🥰
In addition, something Senreve does so well is colorways. The brand offers a wide array of stunning shade options (think Sand, Merlot, Marine, Chestnut, Aubergine and Coral, in addition to the classics), so everyone has a shade to call their own. This is just one of the many things that makes Senreve one of the hottest and best purse brands on the market today.
Cult Gaia
This next brand really serves its namesake by attaining cult status with the masses, even being spotted on the likes of Adele, Billie Eilish and Cate Blanchett (um okay, Adele?!?! Yasssss). 🤩🤩🤩
The brand has prided itself in specifically creating heirloom pieces that will live on in the closet forever and pass on from generation to generation. Cult Gaia’s creations are not only timeless, but are pieces that are sure to catch a second glance with their structural and aesthetic uniqueness.
This is perhaps best demonstrated with their cult-favorite (pun-intended, but really) Ark Mini handbag, which is a show stopping 100% bamboo weave bag that looks like it literally just waltzed off the runway of Paris fashion week. This bag somehow hits the spot in being both ridiculously luxurious and yet completely wearable, fitting in both gala nights and resort getaways. It also comes in a natural bamboo color and the unforgettable “Qajar Rose” (which is instead made out of 100% Acrylic for that shiiiine). ✨✨✨
Another showstopper that absolutely blings the heck out of its proud owners is the Hera Nano Rhinestone Shoulder Bag. As its name suggests, it’s completely laced with gold-hued rhinestones that could actually catch every eye in the room, and yet remain a perfect picture of femininity and grace (i.e. no gaudiness whatsoever, thank you). The bag also features a knotted shoulder strap and a slouchy silhouette which serves as a perfect balancing factor to all the glitz and glam. This bag simply screams “I am class” and if a sparkle in the eye could be embodied in a purse, this would be it. 🌟💫
Cuyana
If you’re more of a conscious shopper that prizes corporate sustainability, there may be no other brand more thoughtful than Cuyana. Cuyana is a women-built brand offering “fewer, better collections” that embody timeless design, luxury quality and sustainability. With this ethos in mind, Cuyana’s designs are minimalistic, timeless and evergreen. Their materials are also specially curated to look good for the long haul, and also hold up its shape. As an added bonus, the brand is aiming to move toward having 100% of their products be crafted from sustainably-made materials in the coming months! 💚💚💚
But Cuyana isn’t just an idealistic brand – it actually delivers huge on style factor, with designs fit for literal royalty (*ahem, Megan Markle).
A quintessential Cuyana classic is unmistakably the Easy Tote, a soft, lightweight and roomy leather tote that comes in either the wider cut, (“Classic”), or a taller, slimmer cut (“Tall”). The bag seems deceptively lightweight when empty, but expands gracefully to house a whole bunch of items ranging from a laptop to a change of clothes, and any other tools and gadgets you may need to have with you on the go. It comes in a range of timeless black and brown shades – but do look out for seasonal shades such as Indigo pebbled leather, for a truly one-of-a-kind piece! 😍🥹
Another prime example of Cuyana’s delightfully simple aesthetic is their System Tote, which is designed to be a “fully customizable companion for weekdays and beyond”. In its seemingly simple tote shape, the bag comes with 2 clasps at the opening to keep your inner belongings secure, but also a plethora of inner bag organizers that attach to the bag at different places so you can keep everything exactly where you want them. You even have the choice between 2 sizes – the 13” and the 16”, depending on just how much room you need. Perfect of boss ladies that want style and functionality right at their fingertips. 👸🏻
Strathberry
Sometimes all you need is the most minute of details to truly reinvent a timeless classic – and that’s something that Edinburgh-based and internationally lauded brand Strathberry knows and does so well. Defined by their elegant and understated lines and exceptional attention to detail, the brand’s aesthetic features minimalist designs, complemented by the signature bar closure which makes every Strathberry purse recognisable from a mile away. 😚😚😚
A true crowd favorite is the Midi Tote, which is quite literally the epitome of a modern classic. Think an understated silhouette and a signature bar closure which folds over the top handle of the bag elegantly to keep its contents safe and secure. The purse may be worn in hand by the top handle, or a shoulder strap may be attached for the wearer to carry it as a hands-free crossbody. The tote comes in what appears to be a gazillion colors and shades, including colorblocked versions and versions with mixed textures. ✨
If you’d like something a little more on the petite side of things, check out the Nano Tote, which is a scaled down version of their iconic tote. To say that this little purse is adorable would be a massive understatement. To make things even better, it comes in 24 different colors and varieties, including embroidered versions and colorblocked versions.
If our endorsement isn’t enough – don’t take our word for it. Take the word of numerous A-listers who have all flocked to Strathberry in droves, including the likes of Addison Rae, Meghan Markle, Julianne Hough, Olivia Culpo and Jamie Chung. 🥵🥵🥵
Staud
If our discussion centers around the best purse brands on the market right now, we would be remiss if we didn’t cast a well-deserved spotlight on Staud. Staud has simply got that nostalgic vibe down to a T, being described as the modern “it girl’s essential”. And the proof’s in the pudding – Staud’s bags have been sighted on some of the hottest it girls of the millennia, including Bella Hadid, the Jenner sisters and Sophie Turner. 😳
The unmistakably classic yet quirky Moon Bag is just one of their many hits. This features the familiar crescent moon shape, with a curved handle and removable STAUD embossed accent. The purse comes with a luxurious inner suede lining and a magnetic clasp closure to contain all of your essentials. A little detail we love is the contrast stitching along the leather, which makes the bag look both sweet yet polished. 🌙🌝
Another classic, albeit reinvented, is their Beaded Bag, an instantly recognisable mini rectangular bag which comes in a myriad of beaded designs and colors, all paired with an elegant leather piping. The purse features a single flap closure, an inner zip pocket and an outer magnetic closure pocket. Where the bag really shines is in variety of options of colors and patterns – think Mosaid Plaid, Leopard, Cherry Abstract Waves and Oranges – all skilfully crafted with use of shimmery beads. Talk about nostalgia at its finest.
Loewe
To end off our round up of the best purse brands on the market, the list would absolutely not be complete without the TikTok viral Loewe bags which have literally been spotted everywhere. This Spanish heritage brand has quite literally written the game for basket bags, and belongs rightfully within the family of LVMH’s impressive roster of luxury brands. In fact, Loewe surpasses them all in heritage and age.
Perhaps their most famous handbag of all is the Basket Bag, which they know and love so well. They come in a whole range of sizes and shapes, but each perfectly marries the robustness of raffia and the luxury of calfskin. Each of their bags also feature their famed calfskin anagram, a stamp of pride for any wearer. 🥲🙃
As a worthy alternative to this cult classic, check out Loewe’s Puzzle Bag, one of their relatively new and fresher designs. Rocking a cuboid shape and precise cutting technique, this bag is absolutely stunning with its distinctive geometric lines. It comes a variety of sizes and can be worn a variety of ways, each of which are sure to impress. 🤩🥳
You may also like
The 7 best skincare brands we are loving
The 5 best hair care brands we are loving
The 5 best eyeglasses brands we are loving
