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The 5 Best Purse Brands of 2025, According to Byrdie Editors

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The 5 Best Purse Brands of 2025, According to Byrdie Editors

From everyday pieces to statement bags.

By

Anna Traver

Anna TraverAnna Traver
Anna Traver
Anna is a beauty and style writer at Byrdie, where she writes beauty, fashion, and lifestyle product round-ups and reviews. She’s passionate about thoroughly testing products to gives readers everything they need to know before purchasing.
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Updated on October 27, 2025 03:33PM
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In This Article

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In This Article

  • Top Picks
  • Reviews
  • What to Look For
  • How We Tested
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Meet our Experts
  • Why Trust Byrdie
Two women posing in front of a curtain one holding a blue bag and the other holding a white bagTwo women posing in front of a curtain one holding a blue bag and the other holding a white bag

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TL;DR

If you want to feel like a French girl walking through Paris, we love Sezane’s chic, suede bucket bags that can fit all of your essentials. For a stylish, everyday shoulder bag, you can’t go wrong with Kate Spade.

There’s a lot more that goes into choosing a new purse than just the style of the bag. Purses are often items we invest in—we may be more likely to spend a little more on a quality bag than on a new top, for example. “Purses tend to become the workhorses of a wardrobe, getting a lot of use and for years,” says celebrity stylist Samantha Brown. “I’d prefer that my clients invest in quality handbags in classic silhouettes and great materials rather than buying trend pieces of lesser quality.”

Finding a quality purse brand is the key to ensuring you’ll find one worth your money. But you don’t have to dish out thousands of dollars on luxury names—there are hundreds of mid-tier brands that make bags out of high-quality materials (genuine leather, metal hardware, etc.) that not only look gorgeous, but will last for years. We surveyed Byrdie editors on their go-to purse brands to find the true standouts, and landed on these top picks.

Top Picks

Best Shoulder Bag:

Kate Spade New York at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Prints:

Brahmin at Brahmin.com

Jump to Review

Best Versatile:

Kurt Geiger London at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best Mid-Range:

Freja at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best for Every Day:

Sézane at Sezane.com

Jump to Review


Best Shoulder Bag

Kate Spade New York

Kate Spade New YorkKate Spade New York
Credit: Kate Spade New York
View on AmazonView on Katespade.com

Kate Spade has long been a go-to mid-luxury accessories and fashion brand, born in New York City in 1993. The label is playful, colorful, and bold, but also has classic silhouettes and colors, making it a brand that can work for just about everyone. The first Kate Spade purse that put the designer on the map was the Sam bag, a square tote that every it-girl in the ‘90s was carrying. Kate Spade has since introduced a wide variety of styles. Writer Shannon Stubbs loves their Loop Shoulder Bag, a soft, slouchy bag with the most adorable knotted strap detailing. It’s available in six colors, including a gorgeous, neutral off-white shade.

A side by side of a writer wearing the Kate Spade Loop Shoulder Bag and a closeup of the bagA side by side of a writer wearing the Kate Spade Loop Shoulder Bag and a closeup of the bag

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Shannon Stubbs, writer: “While I know Kate Spade bags are beloved, this is my first one—and now I know why they’re so well-loved. The construction and shape of this bag are amazing, and it looks effortlessly chic with every outfit. Inside, I can fit my wallet, makeup pouch, a mini umbrella, a book, and any other miscellaneous small items. I love the two pockets that can also accommodate other things like gum, hand cream, and more.”


Best Prints

Brahmin

Brahmin Minuette CrossbodyBrahmin Minuette Crossbody
Credit: Brahmin
View on Brahmin.comView on Macy’sView on Dillards.com

I tell everyone I meet about Brahmin, the Massachusetts-based purse brand founded in 1982, known for its embossed leather handbags. I’ve truly never seen bags with as much high-quality detailing and incredible, stunning prints as Brahmin (their crocodile embossed Melbourne leather is a showstopper). I’ve been wearing the Brahmin Minuette Crossbody everywhere lately; I like that it’s small enough to wear while running errands around the city but large enough to fit all the essentials like my phone, lip gloss, wallet, and AirPods. The crossbody strap is adjustable, and I love how many card slots and pockets it includes.

A side by side of a writer wearing a Brahmin shoulder bag and the closeup of the bagA side by side of a writer wearing a Brahmin shoulder bag and the closeup of the bag

Byrdie

Anna Traver, writer: “Brahmin makes absolutely incredible, high-quality leather purses that look truly luxurious. They’re known for their embossed leather bags, which feature a super unique, intricate crocodile-like print that adds visual interest and texture. The styles are modern and incredibly chic, and the bags hold up and last.”


Best Versatile

Kurt Geiger London

Kurt Geiger mini denim kensington bagKurt Geiger mini denim kensington bag
Credit: Kurt Geiger
View on NordstromView on Kurtgeiger.usView on Bloomingdales

No one knows how to make a statement quite like Kurt Geiger’s eponymous brand, and his purses are no exception. From the large, colorful shopper bags to their slouchy hobo bags, each variation will make any look pop. Former Senior Editor Shauna Beni-Haynes loves the Kensington Bag, in particular the Mini Denim Kensington Bag. The denim, rhinestone-studded purse can be worn as a double or single strap (the straps are chunky, metal chain links that tie the whole bag together).

A side by side of an editor wearing the Kurt Geiger Denim Bag and a closeup of the bagA side by side of an editor wearing the Kurt Geiger Denim Bag and a closeup of the bag

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Shauna Beni-Haynes, former senior editor: “I love this bag because of its versatility. I can wear it with casual daytime outfits and also use it for more formal nighttime events. I have the Kensington in a few different styles, but this denim crystal-studded style is my favorite. It gives the bag an elevated touch, and the purse itself is pretty light and small enough to store a lot of items without feeling or looking bulky.”


Best Mid-Range

Freja

Freja Hudson BagFreja Hudson Bag
Credit: Freja
View on NordstromView on Frejanyc.com

If there were two words I’d use to describe New York City-based accessories brand Freja, they would be chic and elevated. Even more, it’s relatively affordable while looking luxurious—I would assume their bags cost much more than they do. Editor Alyssa Kaplan is a fan of the Freja Hudson Bag, an envelope-style shoulder bag with a magnetic closure and adjustable strap. It’s available in black, oat, butter yellow, chestnut, and espresso.

A side by side of an editor wearing the Freja Hudson bag and a closeup of the bagA side by side of an editor wearing the Freja Hudson bag and a closeup of the bag

Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan, editor: “I absolutely love that while the Freja Hudson Bag is not real leather (which keeps the price down), it feels incredibly sturdy and high-quality. This bag can be worn casually during the day or dressed up for nighttime. I also appreciate that the brand has tons of different styles in various sizes and colors.” 


Best for Every Day

Sézane

Sezane Gary Maxi BagSezane Gary Maxi Bag
Credit: Sezane
View on Sezane.com

If Parisian style has been on your mood board lately, look no further than French fashion brand Sézane. All of their items are ultrachic and stylish, and their purses are no exception. They’re made from quality materials like leather and suede, and they can fit an impressive amount of items. The brand is known for its bucket-style bags, such as the popular Sézane Gary Maxi Bag. While it’s a larger size that can hold all the everyday essentials like a laptop, wallet, keys, and headphones, it’s 10x more stylish than a standard tote bag.

A side by side of a writer wearing the Sézane Gary Bag and a closeup of the bagA side by side of a writer wearing the Sézane Gary Bag and a closeup of the bag

Byrdie

Shannon Stubbs, writer: “I’ve never had a bag that feels so luxe and expensive; it’s genuinely a purse that I think can last for the rest of my life. This bag is excellent for work, as it easily holds my laptop and other office essentials. It doesn’t have many compartments, but the zippered pocket actually holds a lot, including my wallet, hand sanitizer, hand cream, gum, multiple lip balms, and multiple solid perfumes.” 

What to Look for When Choosing a Purse Brand

  • Material: The material of a purse is often an easy giveaway of whether it’s high-quality. Brown recommends avoiding synthetic materials whenever possible; opt for genuine leather, suede, or other top-tier fabrics.
  • Hardware and Detailing: Another way to determine a bag’s quality is the hardware, both of our experts tell us. “Higher quality bags have consistency with their stitching, and the hardware feels durable and is actual metal, not just painted on top,” says personal stylist Samantha Dawn. Brown adds that, “The way the zipper is sewn (and moves—easily) also contributes to the quality and lasting power of a handbag.”
  • Practicality: When choosing a purse, make sure it matches your lifestyle and needs. “If you’re traveling a lot, you’ll most likely want a bag that has zippers for security purposes rather than an open bag. Ask yourself what type of straps you’ll practically wear,” explains Dawn. “If you’re on the go with your kids, you’ll most likely need a crossbody. If you’re on your way to work, a shoulder bag would be best.” Make sure the purse you choose fits everything you need to carry, such as your phone, wallet, laptop, etc.

How We Tested Purse Brands

For this story, we tapped Byrdie editors and fashion stylists to see the purse brands they always turn to for a reliable bag. Some have been using their purse for over a year.

  • Testing Period: One month to two years
  • Methodology: We tested purse brands in the real world, carrying them to the office, around the city, on nights out, and more.
  • Factors Considered: Material, size, design, and style
FAQ
  • What purse silhouettes are trending at the moment?

    Choosing a purse silhouette ultimately comes down to personal preference, your needs, and how much you need to carry, but there are always a few that are specifically trending. Two purse trends Brown has noticed are top handle bags and east-west bags, which she says “are the two strongest trends for fall 2025.” Dawn noted that oversized, slouchy bags, aka hobo bags, are another major trend this year, along with flap top bags. “More people are gravitating towards practicality with their bags but with a modern, stylish twist,” she says. “The slouchy bags have a more laidback, casual yet effortless look, whereas the flap top bags have a more structured, elevated look.”

  • What purse colors are trending?

    This year has been all about shades of brown in fashion. Both of our experts mentioned suede brown and burgundy as major purse color trends. Dawn mentioned olive and forest green as other color trends.

  • How much should you spend on a purse?

    The price range of purses varies greatly—you could pick one up for $20 or spend thousands on a bag. For a purse made from quality materials with excellent craftsmanship, brand new, and not a luxury designer, Dawn says you can expect to pay a minimum of $200 to $400.

Meet our Experts

Byrdie interviewed two fashion stylists to get further insights on the best purse brands.

  • Samantha Brown is a personal and celebrity wardrobe stylist based in Miami, Florida, and New York City. She’s also the bestselling author of the children’s book Dressing Up.
  • Samantha Dawn is a personal stylist and style coach.

Why Trust Byrdie

Anna Traver has covered fashion and beauty for over two years and is a self-proclaimed purse enthusiast. She’s owned and worn a few dozen purses over the years, so she knows when a bag is truly high-quality and when it’s not quite worth the money. To write this story, she consulted Byrdie editors and style experts on the best purse brands.

Read more:
  • What to Buy
  • Shopping

Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-purse-brands-6743192

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