Fact: The Fashion Set Can't Get Enough of These 7 Telfar Bags

When you think of an It bag, what’s the first style to come to mind? Is it a Prada Cleo handbag? Or how about a Bottega Veneta Jodie hobo bag? Historically speaking, handbags that attain cult status have always been from traditional luxury houses. That is until Telfar came along. You’ve most likely encountered a Telfar bag at some point in your life—maybe it was while galivanting through Bushwick, scrolling through Instagram, or even reading some of our guides around Black-owned handbag brands to shop. But no matter how familiar you are with Telfar, it goes without saying that this brand has revolutionized how we view luxury handbags. And the hype is very much worth it. But if you’re not familiar with how this brand gained popularity or just wondering which are the best Telfar handbags to buy, you’ll want to keep reading, as we’ve done a little deep dive on the brand. Whether you’re aiming to add more bags to your collection or want to understand why this brand is so beloved, we’ve got you covered.

About Telfar

While Telfar has gained notoriety in the past few years for its handbags that sell out in seconds, the brand is more than that. The namesake label was founded by the Liberian American designer Telfar Clemens in 2005. Part of what has led to the rise in popularity of this Black-owned brand is Clemens's approach to design, which is all about making fashion accessible for all. That ethos is embodied through androgynous apparel and affordable accessories. Considering how famous this brand is now, it may come as a surprise that it took some time for Telfar to become cemented into the cultural zeitgeist. The iconic shopper tote that Telfar is known for wasn’t even released until the designer’s  F/W 14 show (nine years after the brand’s founding). And even after the release of the now-viral tote, it took three more years for the designer to receive the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s top prize in 2017.

how Telfar became popular

Photo:

@naomielizee

From there, Telfar’s handbags began to bubble up as a favorite among the fashion set and were dubbed the “Bushwick Birkin” by makeup artist Xya Rachel. Still, Telfar didn’t get the full love it rightfully deserved, despite its popularity among the fashion set, until 2020. After calls to support Black-owned businesses in the wake of protests following the murder of George Floyd, the brand began to blow up. Telfar’s shopping totes were everywhere—from being featured on The Wendy Williams Show to being spotted on celebrities such as Beyoncé and Oprah. Rather than letting the hype die down, Clemens has kept the brand more relevant than ever through cunning business moves like launching its Bag Security Program with Klarna so customers can preorder the totes in every size and color along with establishing collaborations with Ugg, Moncler, and the Liberian Olympic team and its first-ever blind preorder with Eastpak

Basically, Telfar has stayed out here booked and busy, but what makes this brand worth buying into goes beyond the buzz. Clemens’s continued dedication to building the brand over 17 years in an industry in which it’s hard for any designer to make it (much less a designer who identifies as LGBTQ+ and Black) is what makes securing one of these bags all the more special. 

Keep scrolling to see the seven best Telfar bags to shop right now.

7. Telfar Orange Shopping Tote

best telfar bags, orange shopping tote

Photo:

@_magda__

Not to sound like a broken record, but Telfar’s handbags are crowd-pleasers because of their minimalist design with punchy colors. You can get everything from chocolate brown and olive green to cerulean and lavender, but one of the current best hues is orange. I know Elle Woods would disapprove, but considering that orange has been popping off on the runways, this bag is worth investing in right now.

While this style is currently sold out on Telfar’s site, you can sign up for notifications for when the style will drop again. 

Shop the Telfar tote second-hand:

Pro tip: Style this with neutrals to make it stand out. 

She’s perfect for a trip to the tropics. 

6. Telfar Gold Shopping Tote

best telfar bags

Photo:

@naturallykam

When Telfar announced its metallic versions of the iconic tote, the internet lost it. Frankly, I get it. Metallics are neutrals in my book, and there’s no better version of this bag to invest in than the gold one. (Though, you also can find it in silver, bronze, and copper.)

While this style is currently sold out on Telfar’s site, you can sign up for notifications for when the style will drop again.

Shop the Telfar tote second-hand:

I’ll be living my life like it’s golden once I have this bag. 

5. Telfar Red Shopping Tote 

Another beloved Telfar bag among the fashion set is its true-red tote. The brand has released this iconic shape in over 33 shades, but while scrolling through social media, I couldn’t help notiinge how many people love this bag. Considering that red also dominated S/S 22 runways, this is one of the best shades to splurge on for the season.

While this style is currently sold out on Telfar’s site, you can sign up for notifications for when the style will drop again.

Shop the Telfar tote second-hand:

I’d pair this with a black-and-white suit to give off Cruella de Vil vibes. 

Nothing I love more than a brightly hued mini bag. 

4. Telfar Bubblegum Pink Shopper Tote

best telfar bags, bubblegum pink tote

Photo:

@therealina

What could make Telfar’s iconic shopper tote even better? If it’s in bubblegum pink, obviously. I have yet to speak to anyone in the fashion set who isn’t obsessed with this bag, and considering how popular this hue continues to be, this is a must-shop without a doubt. 

While this style is currently sold out on Telfar’s site, you can sign up for notifications for when the style will drop again.

Shop the Telfar tote second-hand:

I’m obsessed with the miniature version of this bag. 

3. Telfar x Ugg Shearling Shopper Tote

Not going to lie, when I missed out on buying Telfar’s first collaboration tote with Ugg, I felt like kicking myself. Those lucky enough to get their hands on the full-shearling or shearling-lined versions of this tote in any size are indeed God’s favorites.

While this style is currently sold out on Telfar’s site, you can sign up for notifications for when the style will drop again.

Shop the Telfar tote second-hand:

Tell me this is not the cutest tote you’ve ever seen? 

2. Telfar Cream Shopper Tote

best telfar bags, cream shopper tote

Photo:

@claire_most

A quick scroll through Instagram, and you’ll see the second-most-beloved Telfar bag is the cream shopping tote. Can you blame the hype? She’s far too delicious to pass up.

While this style is currently sold out on Telfar’s site, you can sign up for notifications for when the style will drop again.

Shop the Telfar tote second-hand:

Yeah, you’ll want to secure this before it’s gone.

Don’t judge, but I want to live in this bag.

1.  Telfar Black Shopper Tote

Last but certainly not least, the shopping tote color that’s most beloved by the fashion set is the tried-and-true hue: black. I own the small version of this tote, but I can tell you no matter what size you get or how you style it, this bag is the full embodiment of what Telfar is all about: It’s for everyone.

While this style is currently sold out on Telfar’s site, you can sign up for notifications for when the style will drop again.

Shop the Telfar tote second-hand:

You won’t want to travel without this bag.