I'm a Handbag Buyer, and These Popular Designer Bags Are Worth It

Shopping for a designer bag is equal parts exciting and stressful. It's an accessory that can be worn again and again (hello, cost per wear!), but there's no denying it can be a punch in the gut when the credit card charge hits your account. If you wish you had a handbag fairy godmother to help decide what styles are worth it, you're in luck. We enlisted Victoria Slane, designer and luxury handbag buyer at Nordstrom to share some insight. Who's better to help guide you than someone who literally buys bags for a living? 

"When I'm selecting an assortment, I like to ask myself, Who is the customer for this? Where are they wearing it? Will they want to pull it out every day or season after season?" Slane tells Who What Wear. (Yeah, a lot of decisions go into merchandising that gorgeous handbag section.) But she says one thing is nonnegotiable: "Spending money on any item should be about what it means to you," says Slane. "Whether it's a tried-and-true bag that's been around for years or a brand-new designer bag on the arm of every influencer, if it makes you happy and you will wear it and enjoy it, it's a good investment."

If you're still unsure where to start, Slane is sharing 20 styles that have a special place in her heart, from current It bags to all-time classics. "Bags that balance iconic elements such as silhouette, hardware, or branding details with emotional elements such as a bold color or interesting fabrication are the perfect balance to me," she says. Keep scrolling for some of her under-$300 picks, too. "As what constitutes 'investment' varies from one person to the next, the most important factors are that the bag functions for your life and that it makes you happy when you carry it," she explains. "This is more important than if a bag is popular or not."

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker / Szymon Brzóska)

Valentino Garavani Medium Roman Stud Leather Shoulder Bag

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Nicky Hilton carrying the Valentino Garavani Medium Roman Stud Leather Shoulder Bag.

Benedetta Bruzziches Casper Crystal Mesh Clutch

Alexander McQueen Skull Croc-Embossed Shoulder Bag

Chloé Mini Marcie Crossbody Bag

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Christian Louboutin Mini Cabata Tote

Givenchy Small 4G Leather Crossbody

Loewe Mini Puzzle Leather Bag

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker / Szymon Brzóska)

Saint Laurent Lou Camera Bag

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Amina Muaddi Gilda Top Handle Bag

Balenciaga Neo Classic Crossbody

Bottega Veneta Mini Pouch

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker / Szymon Brzóska)

Coperni Micro Snake Embossed Leather Top Handle Bag

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker / Szymon Brzóska)

Valentino Rockstud Shoulder Bag

Versace Mini Virtus Studded Crossbody

Gu_de Small Lisa Shoulder Bag

Ganni Tech Fabric Saddle Shoulder Bag

 Fjällräven Art Backpack

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Isabel Marant Yenky Logo Tote

Streamline Luggage Editor Mini Crossbody

Staud Shirley Calfskin Leather Handbag

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(Image credit: @aimeesong)

Up next: The 17 Designer Bags Celebs Are Wearing This Year

Freelance Contributor

Lindy Segal is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. She's originally from Atlanta, but she's sorry to report she doesn't have an accent. However, she does still have her taste for carbohydrates, love of losing sports teams, and fear of driving during rush hour. She's been in editorial for over eight years as a social media manager and writer covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle at Glamour and People. Most recently, she was the women's editor at Express. These days, in addition to Who What Wear, you can see her byline at places like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Ipsy, and WeWork. Both a skincare obsessive and a minimalist, she keeps her routine short, sweet, and effective—and she doesn't go a day without sunscreen. She's also deeply passionate about sustainability, and she strives to recommend products she truly believes are worth the investment. When she's not writing about the best and brightest beauty finds, she can usually be found hunting for vintage and secondhand treasures, attempting to find zen at a yoga class, bingeing Bon Appétit YouTube videos, or napping under her weighted blanket.