A handbag isn’t just a handbag when it’s the right handbag—finding the proper one for you and your personal style—especially during the fall and winter when accessories and outerwear reign supreme—is one of the most significant and effortless ways to appear put together. However, finding an affordable handbag, one that checks all the vital boxes (your ideal size, silhouette, material, and color) isn’t always the easiest task.
We have our Chanel wishes, Hermès dreams, and collectible The Row iterations that sit on top of the shelf, or eternally remain in our virtual carts. But thanks to new high-street heroes and contemporary brands we’ve come to know and adore—like Mango, St. Agni, and Hereu—a new handbag doesn’t have to break the bank. For those looking to add to their existing rotation, or inspire a new wave of seasonal dressing sensibilities, take note of the designers offering handbags for under $350, and even under $250. See Banana Republic’s suede carry-all, Zara’s contrast crossbody, and AUPEN’s structural shoulder bag. For work and play, Bembien’s bestselling woven leather tote can take you from the office to a late-night dinner date.
Whether you gravitate toward structured top-handle bags in a creamy hue, patent leather totes, or chocolate brown shoulder bags (our favorite trending color way), our sampling has something affordable and renewed to suit every need. Choose your new everyday companion, below.