The best designer handbags under £500


If you're looking for a luxurious yet affordable handbag, then my edit of the best designer handbags under £500 is for you. It includes contemporary styles that are more high-end than your high street handbags under £100, but are also more attainable than the top-end best designer handbags, without compromising on style.
Make no mistake, just because you don't have £1,000 to drop at Dior, Bottega Veneta or Chanel doesn't mean the designer market is completely closed off to you. More and more labels are offering entry-market styles, meaning you can still proudly say you own designer, without breaking the bank too much.
For example, Loewe's basket bag is a bestseller year after year, and for good reason: it's the perfect summer bag and never goes out of style. Jacquemus' Le Bambino bag might be small in size, but it's mighty in style. And it's so Instagram-worthy. Miu Miu's clutch bags are perfect for going out out.
Isabel Marant and Acne have impeccable tote bags that are roomy and stylish, and A.P.C is great for understated leather bags.
Then you have all your cool contemporary brands. Think Ganni for cool prints, STAUD for baguette bags, By Far for more fun, trend-led pieces and Kassl Editions for go-with-everything pouches.
Much like their more expensive counterparts, these affordable styles can suit all tastes, whether you want a colourful trend-led design for now, or something more classic that will stand the test of time, which, let's face it, is the ultimate investment and cost-per-wear goal.
So, fancy a treat without waiting for several paydays? Keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best designer handbags under £500.
Shop best designer handbags under £500:
Coach’s pillow range caused quite a stir when it was launched by JLo last year. It comes in an array of gorgeous pastel colourways, such as this cream version.
No one does affordable baguette bags quite like Staud. This cream shade will pair well with just about everything you own.
This neutral Loewe Basket raffia tote bag is crafted from woven straw and features leather handles and a leather patch detailed with an embossed logo.
Jacquemus’ bestseller Le Bambino might be tiny, but it sure is stylish. You can buy it in any number of covetable colours from orange to pink, but I love this bright blue.
Made from structured leather A.P.C's Demi-Lune is the kind of bag that will never go out of style. With its practical cross-body strap, you will wear this timeless style for years to come.
Elleme's Vague bag is the kind of accessory you can rely on for every occasion. This crossbody design has gathered detailing – a brand signature – and is made from smooth leather.
Celine’s mini Baily bag is adorned with the house’s logo, pulled from the archives. A true classic.
This brown Wandler Penelope mini leather shoulder bag is crafted in Italy. It has a structured silhouette, enhanced by a tonal rectangular panel that runs from the rear to the front fold-over flap.
This brown Chloé Marcie mini basket tote bag has been woven with raffia. Featuring a fold over leather saddle front, this tote has a front buckle fastening and an adjustable shoulder strap.
This neutral Burberry Phoebe Icon stripe mini bucket bag is sustainably made using recycled materials. With all-over signature patterning, it features a drawstring fastening that can be used as a hand strap, printed black logo lettering to the front, an internal logo patch and a front zipped pocket.
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Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.
Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).
Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.
However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.
Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.
- Zoe AnastasiouFashion Editor
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