If a Fashion Editor Is Buying a Designer Bag, It's From One of These Labels

The perfect outfit needs the perfect bag. That's my philosophy anyway. I love a good bag and always have (flashback to me at 5 years old using my mother's satchels for dress-up time). That ideal silhouette is the finishing touch to an ensemble. Oh, there's also the practical aspect—where on earth would all my essentials go? Just my pockets? No. Anyway, there are a range of solid bag choices out there. That said, if I am ever investing in a designer item, it's often in the form of a bag given the cost-per-wear and longevity aspects. And my fellow fashion editors couldn't agree more.

On that note, I asked my colleagues about some of their favorite bags and the designer labels they deem as go-to resources for forward-looking styles with quality in mind. Below you'll find an edit of the best designer bag brands, according to our editors. Keep scrolling for more.

"I am very much a Miuccia Prada fan, which means Prada and Miu Miu are my go-tos for luxury goods. Lately, I have been searching for a bag that feels a tad trendier and more fun, which means I am sourcing my next It bag from Miu Miu. There are quite a few I am loving right now, but this leather shoulder bag is the one I can't stop thinking about." — Lauren Eggertsen, editorial director

"I can't walk into a Celine store without spotting like 10 bags I'd dream about adding to my closet. I adore Hedi Slimane's use of the iconic Triomphe motif (an emblem that dates back to the '70s) on his coveted handbag styles. I'm referring to the It bag (named the Triomphe, of course), but the latest summer collection, Plein Soleil, is also noteworthy. I can't get enough of the reimagined raffia tote and the wicker Triomphe bag. All of the Celine silhouettes feel modern yet classic and could be in a wardrobe for years and years." — Bobby Schuessler, market and shopping director

"When it comes to designer labels, for bags or otherwise, you'll be hard-pressed to find one that I love and trust more than Prada. From the quality to the designs, I simply trust the Italian brand more than any of its competitors. Speaking to handbags specifically, I own two—the 1995 Re-Edition in black and the Supernova in green—and have more than paid off the investments with how often I carry them. Both are special for their own reasons—my 1995 is super sleek, timeless, and elegant, whereas the Supernova is special and unique—and both garner me more compliments than any other handbags in my small but (I think) impressive bag collection. Though those are my favorites in recent years, a fashion season rarely goes by without a Prada bag catching my eye on the runway. My next purchase? The Trapezoid." — Eliza Huber, senior fashion editor

"The Row makes the ultimate IYKYK bags. They're classic and label-less (aside from a tiny logo), so I think they're an excellent investment. Complicated bags tend to stress me out, but The Row's are really simple and clean. It also makes styles that cost far less than the average price of many designer bags these days, so that's a big plus in my book." — Allyson Payer, senior fashion editor

"My vote for a designer handbag purchase right now would have to be Gucci. I purchased the Gucci Jackie 1961 bag at the end of 2020 simply because I loved the simplicity and timelessness of the bag. Never did I expect the value to already have increased in just a few years, and it seems like it won't be going anywhere. Because I love my Jackie so much, next on my list is the Ophidia, which I've already convinced a friend to buy." — Sierra Mayhew, associate fashion editor

"As an avid bag collector, I've always been very selective about shopping from luxury brands because some don't live up to the hype—that's not the case with Jacquemus. Although the brand first became popular because of its viral Le Chiquito handbag (which single-handedly ushered in the mini-bag trend in 2017), I'd argue that it's one of the few brands that can back up the buzz. Unlike other luxury houses, Jacquemus's price point for its accessories is far more attainable; its lines range from $500 to $3000. But I've found that my three Jacquemus purses (Le Chiquito, Le Rond, and La Vague) have held up far better over the past few years than my other luxury bags providing that they have equal (and sometimes better) quality than other brands in the market. On top of that, what I've come to love about Jacquemus's bags is that they're far more whimsical than other brands while still incredibly wearable for everyday life. With designer bags, it can be easy to fall into the trap as consumers that you have to buy from an older legacy brand or you have to buy a simpler silhouette for your piece to be a good investment, but that's not the case. Jacqumeus allows the bag girlies (like me) to buy something that can stand the test of time while standing out in a sea of other simple bags." — Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, editor

"Hermès bags are the ultimate investment pieces and the pinnacle of high-quality craftsmanship. Every stitch on an Hermès bag is the result of years of training at the maison's leather school and a level of craftsmanship that has been honed over hundreds of years before being passed down from generation to generation. Iconic bag designs such as the Birkin or Kelly need no introduction and have a permanent place on this editor's wish list. But I also think newer-to-market pieces such as the Picotin, Herbag, and Balusoie bags are just as investment-worthy." — Kristen Nichols, associate director, special projects

"It's not hard to see that there's a strong revival happening across vintage that captures the nostalgia and allure of past eras. As Y2K trends continue to reemerge, I'm reaching for the Louis Vuitton Speedy that my mom graciously passed down to me. Though I'm not normally a fan of wearing designer logos, there's something undeniably timeless about Louis Vuitton and the brand's monogrammed handbags. I appreciate how the leather only gets better over time and it makes these bags such great heirloom pieces." — Anna LaPlaca, senior fashion editor

"Dior bags are the ultimate classic when it comes to designer bags. If they were good enough for Princess Diana, they are good enough for me. The brand has so much history and therefore quite the assortment of timeless styles to choose from. Basically, you can never go wrong with Dior." — Eggertsen

"When looking to buy a designer handbag, my minimalist style naturally draws me to Bottega Veneta. The Italian luxury fashion house exemplifies quiet luxury with its sophisticated, refined, and versatile designs. While the brand's bags lack visible logos, each bag features the signature intrecciato weave, which is easily recognizable to those in the know, adding to the brand's allure. Apart from the exceptional craftsmanship that ensures longevity (I still use my grandmother's vintage Jodie bag from the '90s), Bottega Veneta's handbags have proven to be great investments, increasing in value and promising a significant return in the future." — Nikki Chwatt, associate fashion editor

"Burberry is another go-to brand for beautiful bags. I own a tote (fantastic for travel) and a mini top-handle silhouette that I always get compliments on. I've loved the classic Burberry check forever (and actually have a vintage Burberry scarf from my grandfather that I still wear today) and adore the reimagined interpretations of the signature check in Daniel Lee's latest collections." — Schuessler