Top 10 Handbag Brands of 2024

The latest challenge the Funktasy team has taken up is to name the Top 10 Hand Bag Brands. It is a challenge the team relishes. There are many top handbag brands and they each bring something unique and fresh to the table. However, these are the crème de la crème among the top brands.

The team has come together to choose the brands that have proven themselves to be consistently trendsetting, have strong brand recognition, and offer luxurious products. Not in any order, the following are the top 10 brands for handbags.

Michael Kors/Thebs

Michale Kors

Michael Kors, founded in 1981, has established itself as a dominant brand in the handbag industry, consistently delivering collections that resonate with consumers. The brand’s handbags are known for their luxurious materials, beautiful craftsmanship, and on-trend designs. The Selma Medium Saffiano Leather Satchel is the brand’s most beloved handbag. Crafted from durable Saffiano leather, ensuring it withstands the rigours of daily use while maintaining its chic appearance. Available in a range of classic and seasonal colours, the bag features a spacious interior with multiple pockets, providing ample space for essentials. Its versatility allows it to complement both casual and formal outfits, making it a favourite among handbag lovers.

Kim (Marc Jacobs) – Teen Vogue

Marc Jacobs

Since its launch in 1984, Marc Jacobs has established itself as a leader in luxury fashion. Over the past five years, a particular collection has taken the handbag industry by storm: The Tote Bag. Kim Kardashian SZA, and Emily Ratajkowski have all been spotted wearing the bag. Available in a variety of sizes and crafted from materials like canvas, leather, and shearling, this bag is highly versatile. It can be worn for both casual and formal occasions. Due to the collection’s popularity, Marc Jacobs has introduced The Sack Bag, The Wallet, and The Mini Bag. Each of these pieces has the same distinctive style as The Tote Bag, with their names imprinted on the front.

Tote Bag (Marc Jacobs) – FASHIONPHILE

Hermès

Hermès was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès as a harness workshop in Paris and has since evolved into a global symbol of luxury and craftsmanship. Renowned for its meticulously crafted leather goods, Hermès gained iconic status with its introduction of the Birkin and Kelly bags – named after actresses Jane Birken and Grace Kelly respectively. Both bags have become emblematic of timeless elegance and exclusivity, both having an extensive and lengthy buying process that caters to brand loyalists.

Each purse is handcrafted by skilled artisans using the finest materials, often requiring hours of detailed work to complete. The brand has a dedication to impeccable quality, and it is combined with its rich heritage and the allure of its limited availability, which has confirmed Hermès’ reputation as the pinnacle of luxury in the world of designer handbags. This reputation attracts a discerning clientele who values not just the product, but the legacy, craftsmanship, and of course the exclusivity of each piece.

Coach/Teen Vogue

Coach

Coach, founded in 1941, has carved out a significant niche in the handbag industry, consistently delivering collections that resonate with a broad audience. The brand’s handbags are known for their superior craftsmanship, timeless designs, and attention to detail. By seamlessly blending heritage with innovation, Coach has maintained its relevance and appeal across generations. The brand’s most loved bag, the Tabby Shoulder Bag 26, is crafted from polished pebble leather and features the signature “C” logo. The bag offers a perfect blend of form and function, with a compact yet spacious interior, making it an ideal companion for any occasion– whether that’s a night out for dinner or running a quick errand. Its adjustable strap allows for multiple carrying options, adding to its appeal.

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Kate Spade

The Kate Spade brand was founded in 1993 by Kate Spade and her husband Andy Spade, and it began with a specific vision: to reinvent the handbag. Initially, it launched with a collection of brightly coloured, streamlined purses, but the brand quickly became renowned for its playful sophistication and bold use of colour. Spade’s unique designs became synonymous with effortless chic, which made her handbags a staple for fashion-forward women seeking not only style but practicality. The brand’s commitment to both quality craftsmanship and whimsical designs made it the staple brand it is today, turning its purses into coveted accessories.

Today, the brand is more toned down, but Kate Spade continues to captivate with its signature blend of modern elegance and quirky charm, which appeals to a diverse clientele that values both fashion and function. As for the most popular designs, the Sam bag seems to be the consensus among fans of the brand. It’s a rectangular structured leather bag, that comes in a variety of colours. While not the most whimsical, its structure and size favour the side of practicality which makes it an all-around great choice for people with varying needs in a bag.

mensfolio.com

Gucci

Gucci, founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy, started as a retailer of leather goods and luggage before rapidly expanding under the direction of Gucci’s sons. the compnay succeeded in becoming a luxury of luggage in the 1950s as clients moved to horseless transportation.

Around 1947, Gucci made history with its bamboo-handled bag, a handbag adorned with a bamboo handle bent by heating. By 1953, a variation was seen in the film Viaggio in Italia, setting Hollywood’s obsession with Gucci. Prominent visitors to Gucci’s Florence shop included Princess Elizabeth (before she ascended to the British throne), Eleanor Roosevelt, and Elizabeth Taylor

Some other top Gucci designs include the Chain Horsebit (debuted in 2003), the Blondie (debuted in 2022), the Dionysus (debuted in 2015) and the Attache (debuted in 2022).

purseblog.com

YSL

Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge established YSL in 1962. The brand became famous during the 1960s and 1970s because of its Beatnik look, jackets, tight pants, and thigh-high boots. YSL has also become a leading brand for handbags and has earned the title of being Taylor Swift’s go-to shoulder bag while already being a success due to its iconic heritage designs.

One of the best YSL handbags is the Manhattan, which is popular for its briefcase design, and ideal for a lot of travelling. Prices begin at $2,990 in its smallest size and range up to $4,200 for the larger leather tote bag.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton, or Louis Vuitton Malletier, is a French luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. This is one of the world’s leading international fashion brands. The signature LV logo appears on most of its products, which range from luxury clothes and leather goods to shoes, perfumes, watches, jewellery, and handbags.

Louis Vuitton handbags are made from high-quality materials like canvas, leather, and exotic skins, with Monogram Canvas, Damier Ebene, and Damier Azur being the most popular. Skilled artisans meticulously create each bag, ensuring durability and timeless appeal. LV’s iconic designs are the Speedy, Neverfull, Alma, and Keepall, each with unique features.

The Speedy, introduced in 1930, and the Neverfull, launched in 2007, are among the brand’s most successful handbags, known for their style and practicality. Louis Vuitton frequently uses brown Damier and Monogram canvas materials.

BUYMA

Prada

Founded in Milan, Prada is a brand that is synonymous with luxury. When you see the distinctive triangle logo, you can expect high quality. Prada’s numerous handbag collections reflect a commitment to minimalism, whether purchasing the Re-Edition 2005 Shoulder Bag or the Antique Nappa Tote. The Galleria Leather Bag is perhaps one of the most iconic pieces. Introduced in 2007, the bag maintains its classic silhouette and sophistication, which is ideal for business attire. Over the years, Prada has refreshed the Galleria Leather Bag with vibrant colours, blending modernity with timelessness.

Edward Berthelot / Getty Images

Dior

Christian Dior SE, or Dior, is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1946 by Christian Dior and controlled by Bernard Arnault. Well-known for being one of the world’s iconic fashion houses, Dior’s style is famous for its romanticism and sophistication, which create a feminine and elegant aesthetic.

Dior’s handbags are iconic, with the Lady Dior being one of the most famous. It was designed by Gianfranco Ferré and became widely known after Princess Diana frequently carried it. Saddlebag, Book tote, and Diorama are also the most famous designs of this brand.

Dior is a high-quality luxury brand. Their bags are made from materials such as calfskin, lambskin, and exotic leather. Dior handbags are meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, ensuring precision and attention to detail. Its handbags’ signature feature elements are the ‘Cannage’ stitching, Dior charms, and the ‘D’ hardware.

As Our Journey Through The Landscape of Fashionable Handbags Ends…

We are excited about what the future holds. The whole team wishes to extend their appreciation for your support in our struggle to choose the top 10 among all the great handbag brands. Whether a Prada or Dior fan, one can not deny the luxurious standards, brand recognition or the trendsetting power of these handbag brands. Until we meet again, take a look at some of our other top 10s here.