I'm a Fashion Editor, and These Are My All-Time Favourite Handbag Brands

Prada does trend-smashing options as well as it does classics. I'm a big fan of the brand's hardwearing Saffiano leather (that's like a textured high-shine finish) when it comes to choosing a quality day bag you want to carry non-stop.

Another Italian luxury fashion house revered for its high standards and impeccable finish, Bottega is best known for its signature woven bags, and I particularly love this style with the sculptural metal handle.

The New York tote is undeniably a coveted staple from the brand, but the silhouette's smaller sister, the Midi New York, is also a great option worth investing in. 

This Spanish brand is known for its incredible leathers, and it's something that creative director Jonathan Anderson has amped up to the max, creating many It bags since he started at the brand in 2013. The puzzle bag has been particularly popular again over the past year or so and I can see why—it's so laid back and easy to use.

We can't talk handbags without mentioning Saint Laurent, their notable Le 5 À 7 is a timeless top handle design. 

Show me a fashion editor who doesn't have a Gucci bag. Almost every industry person I know has a bit of the GG action in their lives, and for good reason. This brand knows exactly how to created buzzed-about items, but it also knows how to produce a really solid, everyday kind of crossbody mini bag—a holy grail for those of us on the go.

We all know Fendi's Baguette bag is a thing of beauty and will forever be cool, but the Italian fashion house creates other great handbag styles too. Right now, I'm into this First clutch bag.

Chloé has had more It bags in its time than I've had really hot dinners, and many of those styles from the past still stand up today as a worthwhile investment. Many of the Chloé bags feature quite distinct hardware details and I have to admit, I prefer the plainer options. So this canvas Woody tote is the kind of bag I'd happily carry year-round forever more. 

British brand Mulberry is still respected for its top-quality manufacturing and hardworking handbags, but the product offering these days is so much more varied and exciting than it was a decade ago. A steady stream of sensible, covetable handbags all have nods to trends and current details, but every single style—new or old—feels relevant and long-lasting.

Hermès bags are amongst some of the most expensive in the world due to the incredible craftsmanship behind each and every piece. The French brand's leather goods also tend to retain their value (so long as you don't completely destroy one) and could be considered a very wise investment if you have, oh, you know, £5,000 or more to spare.

French fashion house Celine is well know for its beautiful handbags, from the iconic luggage tote to modern day classics like the crossbody Triomphe. The perfect black bag, it's equal parts practical and stylish. Well worth the investment, we feel. 

While The Row's Margaux bag has been claimed by experts as the modern-day Birkin, there are so many pieces to love that will hold their value just as well as the Birkin does. 

If something classic is your jam, then Aspinal of London is the answer. The British brand has seen great success with its smart top handle bags, toted by some of the most famous celebrities, from Kate Middleton to Jennifer Lopez.

Australian label Oroton has only recently come to the UK but the brand is over 80 years old and a real favourite in its homeland. It's all about pared back shapes in neutral colours, aka the kind of simple-yet-effective handbags that go with everything.

Wandler is perhaps the most popular handbag brand in our office (four people own one). New styles are now filtering in and all of us would be more than happy adding to our collection. I've carried my mini Wandler (in white, might I add) so many times that you'd expect it to be battered, but it still looks perfect.

Toteme is a go-to brand for minimalist Scandi styles with a contemporary twist, and their bags perfectly nail the aesthetic. Sleek, understated and beautifully made, these are perfect for those who love The Row's minimalism but don't want to pay thousands.

Elleme is a French brand that I've been in love with for a few years now. I own a couple of its styles — a Baozi and one of these Raisin totes (above) — and get plenty of wear out of both. They're unusual but still plain enough to keep using on repeat, plus they're beautifully manufactured.

Dragon Diffusion's bags are handmade and purposefully created to feel artisanal and unique with slightly wonky silhouettes and an aged patina finish. They're the perfect chuck-everything-in-and-go kind of bags, and French girls are particularly keen.

When it comes to trendsetting bags, BY FAR is always at the start of the curve. Its '90s inspired shoulder bags have spawned many a copycat, and now they're experimenting more with iterations like pocket styles and fun colours. 

I'm a huge fan of Marni's mainline leathergoods (and its Trunk bag is a classic style I'm really keen to save up for one day), but there's a little diffusion artisanal line called Marni Market, which is full of joyful shoppers and totes in woven, knitted and crocheted fabrics at more affordable prices.

Polène is one of France's most renowned brands with people travelling far and wide to witnesss its array of shapes. With directional styles and an extensive colourway, it has styles to appease minimalists and maximalists.

COS's bag offering has really improved over the last few seasons, with super-minimal leather and fabric styles that you could easily trick someone into thinking they're from The Row. No joke! 

If you're into designer styles but don't have the budget to spare, then Mango will be a surefire hit. The brand specialises in affordable, but expensive-looking designs that feel elevated and incredibly modern. 

Charles & Keith's vegan leather bags are more exciting than your average, and the brand will try quite daring trends. You can also find bags that strike a note somewhere in the middle, like this sleek minimalist style.

Regular readers will know that we really rate H&M for affordable classics you'll have in your wardrobe for years. The brand's bag selection is one of the best on the high street, with plenty of staple styles as well as cute evening options and practical totes, too.

Baggu's reusable nylon bags are just so handy!

Arket's bags are of a similar ilk to COS: Minimal in style, nicely made and guaranteed to last. Its cross-body bucked styles have been particularly favoured recently.

Zara is always going to be more trend-driven than classic, but grab-and-go styles like this tote will be handy for many years to come.

Zara's sister brand Massimo Dutti has been serving up expensive-looking handbags for years, but this season's offering feels particularly special. 

Let's be honest, we were all gutted when Topshop closed its doors back in 2021. But, we weren't without the high-street giant for long, as the brand was then taken over by ASOS. Now, fashion lovers can shop Topshop products online, including their vast collection of very chic—and very reasonably priced—handbags. This shoulder bag looks far beyond it's £28 price tag, don't you think?