Handbags are no longer just functional accessories – they are fashion statements that can elevate an entire outfit with a touch of sophistication and flair when chosen wisely. Over $90 billion is spent annually on handbags globally, but not all brands encapsulate exceptional design, carefully-selected materials, and artisanal construction.
This guide delves into the top 10 premier handbag brands that exceed expectations when it comes to quality craftsmanship and enduring style. From heritage maisons like Chanel and Louis Vuitton with long, storied histories in luxury leathergoods to newer yet instantly iconic labels such as Mansur Gavriel, these brands continously set the bar for what well-made, exquisite handbags should be.
Read on to discover what propels the following 10 brands to the top for discerning handbag lovers willing to invest in pieces that transcend trends and stand the test of time.
Hallmarks of an Exceptional Luxury Handbag
Constructing an heirloom-quality handbag requires meticulous attention to detail that mass-market brands simply do not provide. So what sets apart a luxury handbag?
Premium Materials
The highest grade leathers like lambskin, deerskin and crocodile leather along with opulent fabrics such as silk and cashmere separate premier bags. Hardware is often brass, 18K gold or ruthenium rather than cheaper finishes that tarnish over time.
Specialty Craftsmanship
Most luxury houses employ highly skilled artisans to hand craft each bag rather than quick assembly line construction. Specialty techniques like intricate embroidery, pleating, beading and hand-stitching elevate luxury handbags.
Rarity
Many brands have caps on how many of certain high-end bag styles they produce. Hermès famously has long wait lists for their Birkin and Kelly bags, while Chanel keeps production numbers secret. Limited availability increases value.
Investment Potential
In good condition, iconic luxury handbag styles often increase in value year over year and have strong resale markets. Rare, limited edition pieces can auction for astonishing prices.
Reputation
A longstanding heritage brand with recognizable signatures in materials, styles and craftsmanship commands immediate prestige and trust from consumers.
With a discerning eye, you can judge if a handbag meets luxury standards using the above criteria before investing in what will hopefully become a beloved item carried for years to come. Now, let‘s discover this year‘s picks for the top 10 luxury handbag brands to know.
1. Chanel
No luxury handbag list would be complete without iconic French fashion house Chanel in the top spot. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel herself greatly impacted modern handbag design in the mid-20th century with game changers like the 2.55 chain bag and quilted bags carried by Old Hollywood stars like Audrey Hepburn.
More than any other designer, Chanel captures feminine elegance perfectly with styles that have spanned decades yet still feel relevant today. Signature details include:
- Diamond quilting
- Matte woven chain straps
- CC monogram
- Twill fabric lining
- Burgundy interior
Crafted in Chanel-owned Italian workshops to maintain stellar quality standards, Chanel bags range from $3,000 to over $10,000 for high-end exotics and feature both fresh interpretations of classics like the Boy Bag, Jumbo Flap and Gabrielle along with entirely new silhouette debuts every season. Investing in a Chanel guarantees entrance into an elite inner circle with outstanding resale value potential.
2. Hermès
Originating as a French saddle and equestrian leathergoods house in 1837, Hermès has a rich heritage of working with only the finest materials. Today, they are most coveted for their Birkin and Kelly bags, which have years-long wait lists and extremely limited availability starting around $10,000 due to meticulous hand-assembly.
Beyond the Birkin and Kelly, Hermès offers a broad range of handbag styles featuring their signature tooling marks, hand-stitched contrast saddle stitching along the borders, palladium hardware and supple, dyed leathers. While Hermès does not use logos, their proprietary Toile H motif canvas is easily distinguishable. Understated and timelessly elegant, Hermès bags are the ultimate holy grail.
3. Louis Vuitton
When most people picture a designer handbag, that iconic LV monogram canvas likely comes to mind instantly. Louis Vuitton is undoubtedly the most recognizable handbag and luggage brand in the world. Since being appointed in 1997, creative director Marc Jacobs along with Nicolas Ghesquière and Virgil Abloh have adeptly brought Louis Vuitton‘s heritage into the future with pieces that range from strictly loyal to the archives to avant-garde takes on classics.
Beyond their omnipresent monogram and Damier canvas, Louis Vuitton works with fine leathers like Nomade and Suhali along with exotics to construct structured, durable and surprisingly light bags thanks to the Maison‘s specialized craftsmanship techniques. Prices span from around $1,000 for entry level canvas styles to upwards of $100,000+ for bespoke commissions and rare exotics. Louis Vuitton offers handbag wardrobe staples along with investment-worthy collectibles.
4. Gucci
Gucci experienced a major renaissance thanks to creative director Alessandro Michele who has made the Italian fashion house red hot again for Gen Z and Millennials since his appointment in 2015. Michele embraces gender fluidity, maximalism and surrealism blended with Gucci codes like their iconic horsebit hardware and web stripe canvas.
While Gucci does offer classic bags, most shoppers looking for investment pieces may want to act fast on Michele-era styles like the Dionysus, GG Marmont and Jackie 1961 which merge tradition with contemporary flair. Gucci‘s attention getting, ornately decorated bags let you stand out from the crowd. Prices range from around $1,500 and up.
5. Prada
Minimalists and modernists have gravitated towards Prada‘s structured, utilitarian handbags for decades. Founded by Mario Prada and now helmed by his granddaughter Miuccia Prada, the Milanese brand specializes in handsome Saffiano leather complemented by their innovative high-tech fabrics and nylons woven in exclusive colors and textures each season.
Prada keeps silhouettes clean and spare while letting their quality materials shine. Under-the-radar details please devotees from tiny enameled bag charms to contrast-color bonded interior linings. The brand‘s iconic pieces like the Galleria bag, re-issued vintage-inspired nylon styles and structured top handle models represent the apex of urban sophistication priced $1,600 and upward.
6. Loewe
This heritage Spanish leather house dating back to 1846 has enjoyed an upswing in popularity and prestige since Jonathan Anderson became creative director in 2013. With a focus on manual trade techniques that elevate leather to an art form, Loewe creates distinctly modern bags featuring unique shapes and functional details perfect for daily wear.
Under Anderson, Loewe also launched their iconic Puzzle bag complete with hand-painted edges and cut, folded construction that feels akin to a luxurious jigsaw puzzle. Equally as soft and slouchy as Hermès but with more vibrant pops of color, Loewe provides the ultimate in elevated everyday bags for $2,000 and up.
7. Mansur Gavriel
Founded in 2012, this New York-based brand quickly won fans with their minimalist approach to color blocked Italian leather bags and accessories rendered in vibrant glossy finishes. Free of logos and hardware that could scratch, Mansur Gavriel bags prove that contemporary design can be timeless.
While Mansur Gavriel keeps shapes simple, focusing more on juxtapositions like tortoiseshell against crimson leather, they offer fun takes like a drawstring bucket bag or convertible backpack styles, priced $500 to $900. Mansur Gavriel represents the modern lady who embraces both style and function.
8. Bottega Veneta
Though beloved for decades for their signature intrecciato woven leather, Bottega Veneta has seen a recent surge thanks to young creative director Daniel Lee who took over in 2018. Lee has made the Italian brand red carpet and street style catnip by combining the ease of sportif rubber and cotton canvas bags with the luxury of butter-soft leather in neutral, earthy hues.
Standouts like the trending Pouch clutch and Cassette shoulder bag merge an attainable sporty aesthetic with meticulous Italian craftsmanship that makes these contemporary classics tempting even for Bottega purists. Plan to invest $2,000 to $3,000 for Bottega‘s newest cult favorites.
9. Celine
Minimalism meets Parisian elegance with Celine handbags that conjure up images of Catherine Deneuve strolling the Rue Saint Honore. Creative director Hedi Slimane pays homage to the maison‘s 1960s heyday with sleek top handle satchels and logo canvas luggage while still keeping the vibe modern and hyper-refined.
Invest in smooth leather structured bags with unexpectedly playful touches like contrasting baseball stitching or slightly kitschy jewelry-inspired straps and closures from this ultimate cool girl brand. Under Slimane, anticipate spending $2,000 to $4,500+ on Celine‘s latest objet.
10. Saint Laurent
When Hedi Slimane first exited Dior to take over Saint Laurent in 2012, he completely rebranded the house to return to the grittier days of founder Yves Saint Laurent in the late 60s and 70s. This inspiration manifests in handbags that blend Parisian romance with rock n‘ roll rebellion.
Quilted leather minis sit alongside accessibly priced canvas totes as well as exquisitely detailed suede and leather structured top handle bags with bold hardware and locks. Saint Laurent offers myriad options to infuse a bit of worldly French insouciance into any look, starting around $1,500 and ranging upward based on fabrication and detailing.
How to Care for & Protect Luxury Handbags
To retain their beauty and value, luxury handbags require special care and maintenance. Follow these key tips:
- Use a protective base shaper inside bags when not being carried to hold structure.
- Use a light conditioner on leather periodically per manufacturer instructions.
- Allow any bags that get wet to air dry completely before storing to prevent mold.
- Use a specialty cleaner designed for that fabric or leather type if bags become stained.
- Keep bags stored upright on shelves if possible rather than stacked which can cause slouching and worn shape.
- Stuff with acid-free tissue paper before storing bags long term to retain shape.
- Bring in coated canvas bags to be re-varnished if canvassing starts wearing thin or cracking.
- Take bags to a specialty leather spa for deep cleaning and restoration every 1-3 years.
With proper care, your premiere designer handbags can provide a lifetime of enjoyment while potentially increasing in value as investment classics. Time to get shopping! Just beware of super fakes and replicas – always buy from authorized retailers.
