9 Midrange Bags That Look 5 Times More Expensive Than They Are
One is $48. It might be our favorite.
by The Candidly Team
We won’t deny that every once in a while we fall in love with a designer bag with a big, bold label. But more often than not, we prefer a more “quiet luxury” bag. A bag that remains timeless and chic so we can carry it forever.
And this is true no matter what we’re spending on said bag.
Shiny logos and loud prints can feel dated after a year and end up being among the things we regret having splurged on. And we aren’t exactly on a budget to replace a Louis Vuitton every season.
Needless to say, we’ve been on a mission to find our favorite midrange and budget bags that not only look as luxe and beautiful and expensive as designer but that make everything else we wear look more luxe and beautiful and expensive when we carry them.
And here are those 9 bags:
1. The Gorgeous Throw Everything In And Go Bag
Anthropologie The Love Knot Slouchy Bag
We have this little thing called a “purse bin” where we dump all our essential bag contents. We keep it by the door so anytime we head out, we just throw whatever we need into whatever bag we’re carrying - never losing our keys or a beloved lip gloss in some clutch we used 8 weeks ago. The point is, there are few things more satisfying than tossing those items into this divinely slouchy, casual-chic bag. The vegan leather looks soft and textured and therefore, real. The color selection is excellent, though black and tan make for the two ideal bags to go between daily.
Price: $98
2. The Most Perfect Messenger Bag
Marc Jacobs The Groove Leather Mini Messenger Bag
Ok fine, this one is actually designer but at a remarkable price. We’ve personally dreamed of owning a messenger bag in this shape ever since we saw THIS look on Jennifer Aniston. But something about the way it crosses your body makes even our laziest sweat sets look chic.
Price: $200
3. The Chic Woven Bag
Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Mini Hobo Bag
Quince makes bags in buttery, genuine leather with details that make them look 5x more expensive than they are. This one might be our absolute favorite. The knot and weaving are stunning with all our going-out outfits. The black makes a perfect dress-up bag, but it’s actually such an incredible price, we’re thinking of getting it in cognac as well.
Price: $100
4. The Occasion Clutch
Cult Gaia Feather Chain Hobo Bag
Have you heard of Cult Gaia? Well, once again they are a designer, but their bags are more like little pieces of wearable art. If you’re someone who craves a non-sleepy but still wildly elegant bag that’s an expression of yourself, you’ll love this brand. And while most of their bags do run at the higher end of midrange, this one we’ve loved forever is on sale!
Price: $235
5. The Suede Shoulder Bag
Madewell The Sculptural-Buckle Shoulder Bag in Suede
With a gorj sweater, our best coat, and jeans, we’re pretty sure we’ll have mastered the season of fall. The shape is perfect. The suede is real. And so is the price.
Price: $158
6. The Slouchy Oversized Tote
Again this is 100% real Italian leather, subtly pebbled so it looks like we could have spent 2-3x as much on it. The size and shape strongly appeal to the slobby little hoarders we are inside, and yet nothing makes us look chicer than toting this bag. It comes in 7 colors, 3 of which we have in our carts at any given moment, but the bone pebble is a game-changer.
Price: $198
7. The Petite Gingham Bag
BAGGU Small Nylon Crescent Bag
A wee bit sporty, but picture this tossed over your softest, tucked white tee, a cropped pair of jeans, white sneaks, and maaaybe even a cashmere baseball cap and poof, you’re chic! With zero effort.
Price: $48
8. The Soft Leather Sling Bag
Finally, a crossbody sling bag that actually fits our crap. Another bag that turns clothes into outfits. And that comes in too many colors we want.
Price: $98
9. The Completely Original Occasion Clutch
Charles & Keith Delilah Nylon Bow Puffy Bag
We end on a wee bit of fun. After all, what’s the point of a bag if it’s not an expression of our personality? That puff and bow add a chic kind of quirk that doesn’t take itself too seriously yet still manages to make all our little black dresses or jeans and going-out tops 12x more “styled.” And you should see it in pink. Kind of a dream. At $56 no less!
Price: $56
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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