26 beautiful handbag gifts from fashion newcomers and heritage luxury brands alike
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What do you get for someone who's equally obsessed with style as she is with practicality? A beautiful handbag gift like a roomy tote, secure crossbody, or structured satchel is the answer.
Good handbags usually don't come cheap, but it pays to invest. If they're going to be carrying it at least a few times a week to work, school, and play, the bag should both look great (they don't call it arm candy for nothing) and carry all their important belongings with ease.
Whether she likes luxury brands that have been revered for decades or enjoys discovering new brands that will become big soon, we have the gamut of names and prices covered below.
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.
Madewell
Madewell Eaton Two-in-One Leather Shoulder Bag, $133.50, available at Nordstrom
Make any outfit more interesting by adding a patterned accessory like a striped bag. Inside is a removable nubuck drawstring pouch she can transfer to other bags when necessary.
Baggu
Mini Flat Tote, $120, available at Baggu
This soft mini tote is an easy-to-wear accessory for weekend shopping trips, whether to the grocery store or a clothing boutique.
STATE Bags
Autumn Large Crossbody, $145, available at STATE Bags
Open this cute crossbody for a surprise: the lining is a map of Brooklyn, a nod to the brand's roots. Buy one bag and the company will donate a backpack to a child in need.
Everlane
Day Market Tote, $175, available at Everlane
If we could only own one tote, it'd be Everlane's. It's beautifully constructed, appropriate for nearly any occasion, and very sturdy.
Givenchy
Givenchy Medium GV Goatskin Bucket Bag, $2,290, available at Nordstrom
With the simple addition of a chain across the side, Givenchy sets its bucket bag apart from the sea of others.
DeMellier
DeMellier Oslo Bag, $455, available at Shopbop
The half-moon shaped favorite from the British brand is smooth with a subtle shine.
Yves Saint Laurent
YSL Large Cassandra Calfskin Shoulder Bag, $2,590, available at Nordstrom
This luxurious quilted bag has a sophisticated and timeless look that'll last a lifetime.
Dagne Dover
Allyn Tote, $305, available at Dagne Dover
It's difficult to pick a favorite from this notable handbag startup, but a top contender is the Allyn Tote, a roomy work-to-happy-hour bag with all the interior features she'll need (e.g. pen loop, key leash, water bottle holder).
Coach
Coach Edie Shoulder Bag 42 In Mixed Leathers, $495, available at Macy's
To appreciate the finer details of this versatile bag, take a closer look at how it effortlessly mixes suede and leather.
Gucci
Gucci Soho Disco Leather Bag, $1,190, available at Nordstrom
If they don't like inviting attention to themselves, this is not the bag for them. The siren-red "Tabasco" color and large interlocking logo create little doubt about the brand's identity.
Matt & Nat
Kate Bag, $150, available at Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat bags are made from vegan leather, but they actually look and feel as good as the real deal. Plus, they come in a variety of colors.
MANU Atelier
MANU Atelier Mini Pristine Combo Chain Box Bag, $565, available at Shopbop
A structured box compartment keeps their belongings in place however they swing this little bag.
Tory Burch
Tory Burch Block-T Leather Satchel, $399, available at Jomashop
Anyone can tell she means business when carrying this satchel in a vivid emerald shade.
Topshop
Topshop Lacey Metal Top Handle Shoulder Bag, $22.49, available at Nordstrom
The metal handles provide the right amount of edge on a staple black purse.
Leatherology
Meadow Double Zip Camera Bag, from $190, available at Leatherology
The best customizable bag options come from Leatherology, where you can select the strap type, add a monogram (+$10), or add a hand-painted design (+$40). Just make sure to order by December 17 so your bag arrives in time.
Chloé
Chloé Tess Bag, $1,850, available at Net-a-Porter
Debuting on the Fall '18 runway, the much-lusted for Tess bag is embellished with a large, attention-grabbing gold ring and matching gold rings at the handle.
Zac Posen
Zac Posen Eartha Top Handle, $219.99, available at Amazon
This large calfskin leather bag is all sharp angles and can also be converted into a backpack.
Loeffler Randall
Loeffler Randall Indy Circle Cross Body Bag, $237, available at Amazon
The dark, smooth patterned enamel is an unexpected contrast to the textured leather, but it works.
Cult Gaia
Cult Gaia Mini Ark Handbag, $128, available at Nordstrom
The lightweight bamboo bag is a piece of art she can carry in real life.
Cuyana
Trapeze Satchel, $395, available at Cuyana
The Trapeze Satchel is a stylish work bag that works as hard as she does, holding up to a 15-inch laptop as well as her other essentials in its large compartment.
Kate Spade
kate spade new york Cameron Street Candace Satchel Bag, $228, available at Amazon
We love this cool and muted slate blue palette, but you can also choose from green and red color combinations, as well as non-color blocked options.
Michael Kors
Mercer Snakeskin Crossbody, $238.80, available at Michael Kors
Michael Kors' classic Mercer silhouette gets a glamorous makeover in snakeskin.
Senreve
Midi Maestra, from $795, available at Senreve
You've seen Senreve all over Instagram, and we've confirmed its distinctive convertible bags really are worth it. The Midi, with its eight interior compartments, is a perfect mid-sized bag for essentials and small electronics.
Parisa Wang
Parisa Wang Addicted Bucket Bag, $265, available at Shopbop
Transparency is our policy, even when it comes to bags. The leather trim and belt handle make this clear vinyl bag especially interesting and on-trend.
Complet
Complet Valery Mini Satchel, $480, available at Shopbop
A sweet lavender bag like this will brighten their outfits and handbag lineups.
Staud
Staud Moreau Bag, $375, available at Shopbop
This trendy netted bag doesn't just look really cool and ready for vacation, but it's also comfortable to carry.
Connie Chen Connie Chen is a former senior reporter on the Insider Reviews team, where she led coverage of home textiles, home entertaining, and food and drink. While at Insider, she specialized in all the things that enhance life at home, from the most comfortable bed sheets and fluffy pillows to cool online wine clubs and bartender-approved cocktail shakers. She combined rigorous testing methods, conversations with professionals, and active knowledge of the home and kitchen space to help readers get the most out of their money. When she's not changing duvet covers or washing towels twice a day for articles, she loves talking about and trying the newest snacks, drinks, and food gifts. You can see more of her testing process and other behind-the-scenes of being a product journalist on her Instagram @connayreviews. Connie joined Insider Reviews as an early member in 2017 and has also reported on products and services in the style, tech, fitness, travel, and e-learning spaces, with a particular interest and expertise in emerging startups. She has represented the team at CES and moderated panels on media business and the future of retail. Connie graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in media studies and business administration, which help inform her perspective on and coverage of industry trends, as well as the competitive e-commerce landscape at large. Read some of her work: The 4 best cocktail shakers in 2021 The 7 best women's bathrobes in 2021 The 5 best wine openers and corkscrews we tested in 2021 The 5 best bed sheets we tested in 2021 The 5 best cordless vacuums we tested in 2021 12 direct-to-consumer kitchen startups that are changing the way we shop for cookware and knives 8 tableware startups changing the way we shop for dishes Even chefs experience cooking burnout — here's how they get re-inspired in the kitchen How businesses create successful virtual experiences 50 cookbooks from famous restaurants across the US that will help you recreate their best dishes at home Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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