This Is the One Bag Brand We Always Recommend to Our Friends
It must be nice to have a fashion editor as a friend. We’re basically walking encyclopedias of the fashion world, after all. Not to blow our own trumpets or anything, but it’s just an occupational hazard that comes after years spent analysing and cataloguing the markets. Our skills come in especially handy when our friends and family come to us with questions about where they can find the best [insert wardrobe essential here].
One of the most common questions we get asked (and often ask ourselves) is where to find a good handbag—no, a great handbag—that feels luxurious and makes all your outfits look extremely expensive for a price that doesn’t completely empty your savings account. Of course, there are high-street options (& Other Stories, COS and Sezane do great affordable leather options), and we could talk for hours about the best high-end designer bags to invest in. But it’s that sweet spot in the middle, the "perfect to ask for on a special birthday without being completely unreasonable” bag, that seems to be the hardest to find.
There may not be many brands that occupy that space, but the one we always turn to that never lets us down is A.P.C. Firstly, it’s a Parisian label, so that explains the understated luxury of it. It does excellent capsule wardrobe clothing, too, but the brand’s minimalist handbags are known for their subtle branding, clean lines and butter-soft leather, and they have ultimately brought the brand cult status among fashion people over the years.
If you’re looking for a timeless handbag to invest in and love forever, one that transcends trends, there’s really nowhere better to find it than A.P.C. The Demi-Lune, or Half Moon, crossbody bag is the most recognisable, and it’s a favourite of shopping editor Joy Montgomery. It even made it onto our ultimate list of the best basics money can buy recently. That’s because, like all of A.P.C.’s handbags, it slips effortlessly into any wardrobe and continues to look classic year after year. Don’t miss the satchel-style Grace bag either, the epitome of elegance. It comes in lots of different colours and sizes, too. It’s gone straight to the top of our wish list.
Whichever A.P.C. handbag you land on for your wardrobe, you can be safe in the knowledge it’s going to look chic forever. Keep scrolling to see and shop the very best styles…
Shop the best A.P.C. bags:
Next Up: The Complete Capsule: Our List of the Best Basics Money Can Buy
Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.
Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.
Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.
When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.
Emily is currently on maternity leave.
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