Gone are the days when we lusted over bags with house-deposit levels of price tag. In the early noughties, it was commonplace for the likes of Hermès, Celine and Prada to sell bags with five-figure price tags.
Luckily, in the past few years we've witnessed the rise of the mid-range bag. Michael Kors spearheaded the revolution by selling his much-coveted bags for around the £300 mark, and other designers have swiftly followed. Marc Jacobs and Chloé’s sister lines now specialise in offering more affordable options, and the likes of Mulberry and Gucci have begun to include accessories in their collections that are well under £500.
Even better, a whole crop of new designers have sprung up focusing on this area of the market. It’s official: affordable luxury has never been more exciting. Flooding our Instagram feed, these new brands will make your accessory haul better (and more economical) than ever...
SHOP: Affordable 'It' Bag Brands To Know
Lulu Guinness, Blossom Shell Clutch, £195
This shell clutch is a guaranteed talking point, whatever your occasion. It comes with a detachable gold chain for extra wearability and note the interior's embroidered message and giant pearl.
C.Nicol, Evie Barrel Bag, £380
Elleme, Baozi Raffia Naturale/Black, £310
Based in Paris, and founded by Jingjing Fan, Elleme promises to bring shoppers 'meticulously designed pieces defined by simplicity, timelessness and singularity.' After the fame of the Baozi bag (shaped like a Chinese Dumpling, yet way way chicer) we're all over the new Baguette style from Parisian It-brand Elleme.
Danse Lente, Lola Chiffon, £245
Danse Lente launched in 2017 and attracted so much attention that it was snapped up by Net-a-Porter within just 2 months of trading. The name – French for 'slow dance' – comes from the founder's hope that wearers of her designs get 'a feeling of uplift from the bag' - we're sold.
Chylak, Small Basket Bag, £375
Launched in 2014 in Poland, Chylak's founder Zofia Chylak learned her craft at Proenza Schouler in New York, before launching her namesake label. Her chic, influencer-friendly designs have won over fashion insiders with vintage-inspired mock-croc with modern twists. One of our faves is the saddle bag, which was a sell-out hit when it was launched.
ROOP, Monica Textured-Linen Shoulder Bag, £95
ROOP is your brand if you're a sustainability queen. Made only using left over or vintage fabrics, the brand is doing their bit to make our world a bit greener, and that includes the packaging. And they're all handmade in the UK.
Yuzefi, Doris Snake Effect, £445
British brand Yuzefi was launched during London Fashion week back in 2016, but is fast becoming the hottest name in bag land. A personal fave and huge hit with the style set, we're expecting big (huge!) things from them.
Staud, Scotty Leather Shoulder Bag, £270
Staud is most famous for its chic, top-handle buckets (a favourite with Emily of Emily in Paris), but its foray into beaded shoulder bags is also right up our street.
Wandler, Penelope Leather Shoulder Bag, £570
Elza Wandler first burst into our lives back in 2017, when she launched her namesake accessories brand Wandler. Best known for minimal, elegant pieces with a play on colour and dimensions - her latest foray into footwear has garnered the brand cult status amongst the style set while cementing itself as a go-to brand for chic bags.
Hereu, Nusa Knotted Shoulder Bag, £667
José Luis Bartolomé and Albert Escribano returned to their Mediterranean roots to found Hereu after many years immersed in the cultural mix of London and Paris. Handcrafted in Spain, their work is physically rooted in the Mediterranean landscape and the individual hand of the artisan is always the starting point for every design.
Studio Amelia, Drawstring Tote Bag, £298
Launched in 2018, Studio Amelia is known for minamalist barely-there silhouettes that are sleek enough to wear day or night.
Mashu, Philippa Black, £280
Designed in London and made by expert artisans in Greece, Mashu is inspired by Art Deco interiors and objects along with Cycladic and contemporary architecture. Plus, the label is committed to using premium sustainable materials, conscious of the health and welfare of our planet.
IBEKA, Mini Amivi Bubblegum, £280
IBEKA was born from the desire to find the perfect balance between the contemporary world we are living in and founder Jessica Carré's multicultural heritage. The handbags are handmade near Florence, only using the best Italian leather to guarantee exceptional quality and longevity .
HVISK, Neat Tonal Black, £68
HVISK is a Danish, PETA-certified vegan fashion brand founded in Copenhagen. The brand is inspired by the vibrant streets of the city with an ambition of designing bags creating the feeling of a playful, colourful or detail-oriented look that will give the individual a more personal style.
NEO87100, Alice Riviera Cuoio + Sand, £695
NEO87100 is a luxury women's bag brand that combines a feisty British attitude with Italy's leathercrafting expertise. It is the brainchild of London-based Ilaria Barca, who turned to her uncle's leathergoods factory to make her dream of creating a modern and alluring handbag collection come true.