Attainable Luxury: 42 Designer Bags That Are More Affordable Than You'd Think

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(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

Think back to the last time you were scrolling through Shopbop or walking the aisle of Nordstrom and suddenly spotted it—the item that made a wave of goosebumps appear on your body. Chances are you've experienced the emotion of falling in love with something (maybe sandals or a trendy purse) on sight. But, if we're honest, that moment can quickly switch from exhilarating to disheartening when you turn over the price tag.

As much as we love the idea of buying a designer bag, it's not always something that aligns with our budgets. Of course, something must be said about the long-term value of investing in a bag that lasts longer and can accrue value. Still, getting around the concept that luxury items are out of the budget isn't easy, especially when most designer purses are now equivalent to the average cost of rent in the United States, which is around $1.7k. But before your feelings turn sour, don't lose hope because I'm here to tell you that budget-friendly options exist.

In order to prove that point, I've scoured the internet using a few tricks to find the 42 best affordable designer bags you can shop for right now. While everyone's concept of attainable is different based on their budget and sartorial preferences, I've separated my finds into three categories: under $350, under $650, and $1,000. I considered longevity, craftsmanship, versatility, wearability, and, most importantly, price when creating this roundup so that you can find a bag that gives you goosebumps in a good way. 

Under $350

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei; WEARING: Mejuri x Luar Small Ana Bag ($275))

Under $650

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(Image credit: @shhtephs; WEARING: Manu Atelier Bag)

Under $1000

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(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace; WEARING: Loewe Tote Bag)

Next up, Attainable Luxury: 11 Ways to Secure a Designer Bag on a Budget

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Who What Wear) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked on Who What Wear's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.