Designer handbags are striking statement pieces, and the perfect one is also a convenient, everyday accessory. There are dozens of high-quality brands, each with distinct bag types, including leather shoulder bags, daily totes, and chic crossbody bags. But with so many options to choose from, finding your dream purse can be a challenge.
This guide explores 11 popular purse brands, their most famous items, and where you can score secondhand bags for less.
Browse these top designer handbag brands and discover an iconic piece to match your personal style and budget. While many of these popular bags have feminine vibes, these aren’t just bag brands for women—these companies create timeless, high-quality items for everyone.
Chanel is one of the most famous brands for handbags, clothing, shoes, and fragrances. They’re known for their sophisticated appeal and quilted designs—particularly the Chanel Classic Flap, which is one of the most exclusive, iconic luxury handbags.
Our other favorite Chanel bags are the Gabrielle and the Grand Shopping Tote. The Gabrielle has a unique, structured silhouette and a bit more room than the Flap, but the Grand Shopping Tote is the most spacious, with enough space for large items like laptops.
While Chanel uses lower-impact materials and aims to reduce greenhouse gasses, it isn’t the most earth-friendly company. But you can grab stunning Chanel handbags sustainably when you thrift on ThredUp.
Thrifting is also easier on your wallet. The average price range of Chanel bags is $3,000–11,000, but prices on ThredUp start at $362.99.
Louis Vuitton is known for its luxury leather goods like handbags, luggage, and wallets. The LV logo and monogram pattern are instantly recognizable, offering a modernized vintage aesthetic.
Many LV handbags balance high fashion and practicality. The Neverfull is endlessly versatile and one of the best designer bags. It’s sleek and chic but spacious enough to hold daily items like laptops and cosmetic bags.
Our other favorites are the structured Alma, which protects your items from crushing and cracking, and the Keepall, a large duffle with enough room for a five-day trip.
Louis Vuitton takes solid measures toward sustainability, such as recycling textile offcuts. They also produce high-quality leatherwear that won’t quickly wear out, meaning their secondhand products last for years. See for yourself on ThredUp, where you can thrift like-new LV handbags starting at $153.99—much easier on your bank account than the brand’s usual $1,200–6,000 price tags.
Mario Prada was one of the top handbag designers, and today, his daughter Miuccia Prada continues the brand’s innovative, cutting-edge style. The simple yet eye-catching triangle logo immediately conveys a sleek and modern image.
Some of the best Prada bags include the delicate Cleo, a foldover flap bag with a ’90s silhouette, and the angular Galleria, a bold leather top-handle bag with sharp edges.
If you’re looking for a more casual luxury bag, the Re-Nylon Backpack is our go-to. This piece also showcases Prada’s most significant sustainability practice: using Re-Nylon, a textile woven from recycled plastic recovered from the ocean.
Most bags retail between $2,000 and $4,000, but you can discover like-new Prada bags on ThredUp starting at $130.99.
Hermès is one of the most exclusive handbag brands—some experts estimate their luxury goods are a better investment than gold. They’re recognizable for clean designs and vibrant orange gift boxes, but their most significant claim to fame is the iconic Birkin bag.
The Birkin has two top handles, an angular silhouette, and an alluring lock closure. It’s available in various sizes, ranging from a mini handbag to a spacious tote. The brand is also known for the notable Kelly bag, which resembles the Birkin but has a sloping, trapezoidal shape.
The brand gets good marks for sustainability. They use organic cotton, take steps to reduce emissions, and use certified tanneries for all of their leather goods.
Hermès has one of the broadest price ranges, with bags costing anywhere between $2,000 and $30,000. You can thrift one of these iconic statement pieces on ThredUp without emptying your wallet—our Hermès bags start at only $230.99.
Gucci is a massively influential brand for bags, fashion accessories, and fragrances. Their products have a powerful, maximalist vibe—eclectic, colorful, and bold.
The most popular Gucci handbags include the Jackie, a classic vintage hobo bag, and the Horsebit, a boxy mini bag. We also adore the Marmont, a gorgeous crossbody bag with a quilted aesthetic and a wide variety of colors, from black to baby pink and striking blue.
This brand has excellent eco-friendly practices. They use low-waste fabric-cutting techniques and recycled textiles and have a strict policy of reducing chemical-heavy processes in their leather tanning.
Gucci is more affordable than some other luxury brands, with prices ranging from $900 to $3,000. Even better, you can thrift an even better deal on ThredUp, where prices start at $121.99.
Fendi is a luxury fashion brand that creates bags, fragrances, and shoes. Their vibes are unique, incorporating glamorous and street aesthetics into one package.
They offer various types of purses—bucket bags, clutches, and handbags—and we love them all. For handbags, we choose the Peekaboo for its smooth trapezoidal silhouette and twist lock. And the Mon Tresor is our top choice for a practical, cute bucket bag.
Fendi commits to some solid sustainable practices, including using low-impact materials, but they don’t support their claims with much evidence. We recommend finding their trendy styles on ThredUp, where each purchase contributes to a circular economy and gives fashion a second life. Plus, prices start at $118.99, so you can cut down on their usual price range of $1,500–5,000.
Tory Burch is an American handbag, clothing, and shoe brand. They have a youthful, preppy aesthetic and are known for versatile, matchable fashion.
One of their most popular offerings is the Kira, a crossbody bag with a shape and texture not unlike the Chanel Classic Flap. But if you’re looking for something truly unique, we recommend the Straw Mini Basket—it’s exactly like it sounds: a small leather-trimmed straw bucket that looks like a chic beach bag.
Tory Burch commits to various eco-friendly strategies, like using recycled textiles and packaging. They also measure energy and water usage to maintain responsible visibility.
These handbags are much more budget-friendly than other luxe goods, ranging between $250 and $900, but you can thrift a real deal on ThredUp starting at just $61.99.
Coach, a luggage and leather goods supplier, is one of the most popular branded bags in the U.S. Their bags strike a perfect balance of sophistication and bold palettes to create a timeless appeal.
Our top choices are the Lana and the Tabby. The Lana is chic and functional, with a soft, subtle silhouette and a spacious interior, while the Tabby has a fashionable vintage vibe (and comes in a stunning metallic color).
This brand offers more affordable designer bags, with most products ranging from $200 to $700.
While they use a few recycled materials, Coach lacks visibility into their sustainability tactics. But you can support a greener planet by thrifting Coach bags on ThredUp, starting at $20.99.
Yves Saint Laurent is a fashion designer famous for handbags, footwear, and accessories. They have a reputation for challenging gender roles with items like the notable Le Smoking, a tuxedo for women.
To celebrate the brand’s loud-and-proud aesthetic, our top choices are the Icare and the Rive Gauche Tote. The Icare is a large tote bag emblazoned with a dramatic gold YSL logo. And the Rive is a canvas bag with leather handles and an eye-catching “Rive Gauche Saint Laurent” printed on the side.
We applaud YSL’s sustainability strategies. They minimize textile waste and chemical use and commit to regularly using recycled materials.
This brand’s prices start on the lower end at $700 but go up to at least $7,000 for high-end pieces. Go ahead and skip both price tags by thrifting Saint Laurent finds on ThredUp, starting at $189.99.
Kate Spade is an American producer of handbags, clothing, jewelry, and footwear. They have a recognizably playful look with bright colors and practical shapes.
Their most famous bag is the Sam, a handbag that exudes angular 1990s vibes. We also recommend Kate Spade’s endless wacky, fun shapes, from donuts and hearts to fruit—perfect for adventurous fashion lovers who prioritize quality and craftsmanship. Plus, these pieces are relatively affordable, with a price range of $200 to $500.
Kate Spade uses a few recycled textiles, but they lack transparency into their processes. To enjoy these bags while supporting eco-friendly practices, find one on ThredUp, starting at $19.99.
Marc Jacobs is a designer offering handbags, clothing, jewelry, and shoes. We adore their blend of high fashion and dark, edgy grunge.
The Box Bag makes a sharp statement. It resembles a mini suitcase and is available in vibrant colors, like green, blue, and taxi yellow. If you’re looking for a little 2000s nostalgia, try the Jessica Stam, a hobo bag with a cinched top and quilted look that’s famously carried by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Beyoncé.
Beyond eliminating a few harmful chemicals from their production, Marc Jacobs doesn’t have a solid sustainability plan.
While they’re reasonably priced (between $200 and $600), we recommend thrifting these handbags on ThredUp, where they start at only $45.99.
ThredUp is the ideal place to thrift gorgeous handbags, whether you want daring Gucci or elegant Chanel.
While finding legitimate designer bags is usually challenging at secondhand shops, ThredUp puts each product through a meticulous authentication process. Our experts use authentication technology and deep research to catch fraudulent items and validate real luxury goods.
To thrift like a pro, start in your closet. Just order a Clean Out Bag and sell your preloved handbags to make room (and cash) for new thrift finds.
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