Designer Bags Under $500: 6 of the Best

Designer Bags Under $500: 6 of the Best

Buying a designer bag is like making an investment in yourself. It’s saying, “I’ve earned this, I’m worth it, and it’s about time that I make that official.”

Still, if you’re new to the designer bag market, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many iconic brands out there and so many price points that make it feel impossible to start building a designer collection.

What makes a good bag? What separates luxurious materials from passing fads? Is there a way to level up without breaking the bank?

That’s the goal of today’s post. We’ll outline six exceptional designer bag styles that are all under $500, making a designer purchase more accessible than ever before.

We believe that impeccable style should be accessible to all, and that starts with our very own designs.

6 of the Best Designer Bags Under $500

Most of our styles come in under $500, but if you’re looking for a strong value bag, you cannot go wrong with any of these six designs.

#1: Kendrick Trunk

The Kendrick Trunk is frequently sold out for a reason. This structured handbag says taste and style, with a luggage-esque appearance that elevates any outfit you wear with it.

The Kendrick comes with a small handle and with a removable shoulder strap so you can wear it across your body. We’ve produced the Kendrick in a number of materials over the years, but right now, we’re partial to the Dalmation Ponyhair look with silver hardware.

A statement bag like the Kendrick Trunk, which comes in at just over $300, is an amazing start to your designer bag collection. If you’re going to invest in something like a bag, why not make it fabulous?

#2: Kuei Bag

Our next recommendation is the Kuei Bag. The Kuei is a little more feminine, with slightly angled sides and an adorable zipper detail in the front.

Like the Kendrick Trunk, you can choose to rock the Kuei with its small handle or with a removable crossbody or shoulder strap.

The Kuei comes in so many looks and materials. If you want something colorful and playful, go for Pink Mesh. If you want something refined and classic, go for the Chocolate Brown Leather with the Croc Embossed Pattern. So cute, so nineties. We also have a variety of metallic leathers and ponyhair versions to choose from.

The Kuei starts at around $155 and goes up to $220, depending on your material of choice. That makes it one of our most accessible options and a great entry point to designer fashion.

#3: Jordanis Trunk

Bags have no gender. The Jordanis Trunk is an androgynous, sleek style that suits every person and every wardrobe. That’s why GQ included the Jordanis Trunk in their round-up of menswear to shop right now.

The Jordanis is a structured, rectangular trunk style with a signature silver metalware zipper across the front. Available in Black, 100% cowhide leather, the Jordanis Trunk comes in at $310, making it a totally accessible drip piece.

You can wear the Jordanis either as a shoulder bag or as a crossbody bag, with the wide leather strap effortlessly working in both styles. At seven inches wide, it’s big enough to carry your essential items but will free you of having to deal with any bulk.

The Jordanis is a closet staple. Remember, simple doesn’t have to mean boring. It can also mean chic.

#4: Arlen Bag

Next is the Arlen Bag. This style is a testament to how sometimes the small detail can bring a purse to a new level.

The Arlen is a straightforward, classic purse design with slightly angled sides and a squat structure with a short handle. What takes this design up a notch, however, is the oversized zipper which hangs over the sides of the purse and gives it that exaggerated fashion edge.

The Arlen is one of our favorite picks for a night-out bag because it’s everything you need in a BFF; Arlen isn’t here to overpower you, only to highlight your shimmering essence. That’s why we love to base an outfit around it.

The Arlen comes in lots of colors and designs, including Blue Mesh and Hot Pink Nylon. Most of the materials are well under $500.

#5: Syl

The Syl Bag is the “it bag” of right now; we’re not going to lie.

With the late 90s/early 2000s looks going ultra-viral at the moment, the Syl is both an homage to the classic saddle bags of that era as well as a forward-looking take on what's fashionable today.

The Syl is a small shoulder bag that sits right under the arm. It’s a compact size at just eight inches wide, making it perfect for a night out. As far as styles go, we really went above and beyond with the Syl. The bag is available in a variety of materials, from Pink Ponyhair to Tanzanite Grey Crystal.

We also have it in a few beaded styles, which have been getting some (due) attention. Beaded bags are having a moment. In fact, Town and Country Magazineincluded the Syl Bag in the beaded bandana style in their round-up of the best-beaded bags out there right now.

The Syl is one of those rare bags where it can be the star of the show or complement an already-loud outfit. You decide. Either way, it will work flawlessly.

#6: Large Mandeville Tote

Last but not least, we can’t neglect the Large Mandeville Tote.

Choosing a designer for your everyday bag is no small task. This is something that you’ll be carting around when you’re running errands, going to and from work, and for any and all events in between. You want to find something that is functional, is made with luxurious materials, and that will fit into your wardrobe easily.

The Mandeville hits every note.

At eleven inches wide and fourteen inches tall, it can fit everything you need and then some. The large tote comes in at an even $250 and is available in four different colors of suede, and if you’re looking for something slightly more compact, we also offer it in a mini version.

Each Mandeville Tote also comes with a removable pouch and name tag, so it really is a purchase you’ll get some incredible use out of (and look incredible doing so). 

Style That Counts: Luxury for All

Deciding to go designer is a big step, and let’s be honest, a top to bottom designer wardrobe is not obtainable to many, even if you’re shopping secondhand. But a stellar bag collection, especially if you’re buying from designers who prioritize accessibility, is well within reach.

That’s the philosophy that guides our approach to everything, from styling to setting our price points. Speaking to Vogue, Brandon offered his experience with designer fashion, saying bags were a way to level up: “...bags were always that one thing you could have, even if you didn’t have a ton of cash—you’d save up for it.”

Lush materials and expert designer tailoring are a certain kind of magic that should be available to everyone, not just the elite few. Set your budget, and then go for it, babes. You really have earned it.

Sources:

The Attainable It Bag? A New Generation of Designers Are Crafting Coveted Handbags for All | Vogue

The 23 Best New Menswear Items to Buy This Week | GQ

10 Best Beaded Bag to Carry This Summer | Town and Country Magazine