As an editor by day and avid shopper by night (and weekends and all other times), I can confidently say I know a lot about nearly any product category in the realm of fashion. However, as someone who loves an investment item and prides themself on decoding what's worth buying and what will be outdated or played out too soon, I think my skills shine most brightly when it comes to handbags—a typically higher-priced purchase that one doesn't want to make often. In other words, I'm an expert, but not just any expert—I'm yours! I do the work so you don't have to, and today, I'm giving our readers a real treat.
In honor of the new season, I searched high and low to find the best under-$1000 bags on the market right now. From under-the-radar designers that are vying for your closet space to established brands at a lower-than-usual price point, below are 28 bags I would absolutely love to own, including some I already do. Simply keep scrolling to shop all my picks.
Toteme perfects anything it designs—including this bag.
I wore this exact bag nearly every day this spring and summer and plan to do the same next year.
It was hard to choose just one Dragon Diffusion bag, but I'm such a sucker for hunter green.
This bag comes in quite a few colors, but I'm obsessed with this gold.
Perfect size and shape.
You'll wear this for decades.
If you feel like you've been seeing this bag everywhere lately, it's because you have.
It was a toss-up between this and the original black leather Swipe bag, but I'm really into this light-wash denim version.
My ideal under-the-radar everyday bag.
I love everything about this bag, from the metal handle to the shape to the rich color.
The color of the season.
Simple and sleek.
Dazzling.
This bag is so polished and chic.
The fashion set's evening bag of choice.
I'll take both, please!
I had to throw in this vintage find.
This collab never disappoints.
So good.
Your wardrobe needs this.
I'm starting a petition to bring Mansur Gavriel's bucket bag back.
Who can turn down a bag as beautiful as this one?
Another color I can't resist.
Sometimes, the simplest bags are the most impressive.
The denim makes a statement but will also match literally any outfit.
Another one you'll use pretty often.
A work of art.