Best 5 First Designer Bag to Get and How to Buy Them
Getting into handbags and wanting to buy this year? You’re not the only one.
Here are some cool classics to get as your first designer bag.
Whether you are looking for bags to invest in or enjoy wearing, here are some classic designs to consider as your first designer bag.
1. Any Louis Vuitton bag
Louis Vuitton is a good entry-level luxury brand if you are looking for a starting designer bag.
Various Multicolor LV monogram
For one, many of Louis Vuitton bags, especially preloved, can be found under $500, making them one of the most affordable luxury bags to buy.
Louis Vuitton’s most famous bags include:
- Speedy Bandoliere: their most iconic handbag that’s cylindrical and comes with an adjustable shoulder/crossbody strap. The original Speedy (without a strap) is a discontinued LV, but you can still find preloved versions. Take a look at an LV Speedy Guide to find the right size.
- Neverfull: started in 2007, it is one of Louis Vuitton’s best-selling tote bags that’s spacious and durable. The Neverfull comes in 3 sizes, with MM being the most popular.
Many of their bags have lots of different Louis Vuitton patterns, not just their monogram. It comes in all different colors and textures, such as Damier Azur, Monogram Eclipse, Vernis, and Epi.
Louis Vuitton has collaborated with many artists from Japan and worldwide, such as Takashi Murakami, Stephan Sprouse, Yayaoi Kusama, Supreme, and Jeff Koons.
You can never go wrong with a Neverfull.
2. Fendi Peekaboo (a great Birkin alternative)
Everyone wants a Birkin, right? But its reputation and price point, many top luxury brands have created their own Birkin alternatives.
One of them is the Fendi Peekaboo! Many like the Birkin because of its clean and sleek look. And the Fendi Peekaboo meets those requirements. It’s rectangular, opens to a large compartment, but has a casual look.
Another common Birkin alternative is the YSL Sac de Jour, and it has that professional and business look that many are looking for.
3. Prada shoulder bag
Need a shoulder bag? Then, Prada is your answer.
Their shoulder bags, especially their Prada Re-Editions 2005, are such an underrated pack, but they are a very sleek and compact handbag to have.
Prada also offers a type of leather called Saffiano leather, which is super lightweight and durable.
These shoulder bags are a great, quiet luxury to have and hold without standing out, making them a great first designer bag.
4. Chanel Flap
The Chanel Flap is THE shoulder/crossbody bag in the luxury world.
The Chanel Flap Bag revolutionized fashion history, being the first handbag to have a long strap that goes on your shoulder or across your body.
The Flap Bag is one of Chanel’s vintage bags to buy, and it’s been shown many times that the Flap Bag retains its value. And there are many types of Flap Bags to choose from.
Their various flap bags can be either compact or offer very generous spacing to hold more than just your essentials. Many of them have diamond quilting, making the overall look very regal and sophisticated.
Chanel is a more expensive brand than the others on this list. So, a Chanel Flap Bag can be costly for first-time buyers. Which is why you can opt for preloved Flap bags! Same good quality, but more affordable.
You can also consider Chanel Flap Bag alternatives for other brands that have a similar style.
Check out these Chanel Guides:
- Gucci vs Chanel: The Ultimate Comparison for Affordability
- Dior vs Chanel: The Ultimate Luxury Handbag Comparison
- Are Chanel bags Cheaper in Japan? Buying Preloved from Japan
5. Gucci Bamboo Handbags
Gucci started using bamboo as a material in 1947 because of post-war leather shortages.
Despite the lack of resources, Gucci developed their handbags around Japanese bamboo by heating and bending them. They are extremely durable and have stayed part of the Gucci brand since then.
Gucci’s most famous bamboo bags are the Bamboo 1947 that use bamboo as the top handles and its locking mechanism.
And there are many bamboos top handles from Gucci as well!
How to choose a start designer bag?
Here are a couple tips to help you choose a designer bag:
- Know your aesthetics: From colors to lifestyle. Ask yourself, do you want an everyday bag or a working bag?
- Know your budget: New designer handbags can cost more than $5000, depending on the brand and material. But if you decide to do preloved, then you can find a nice designer handbag for under $1000.
Frequently asked questions:
What are the best affordable designer bags?
The best affordable designer bags are from Louis Vuitton, Dior, Saint Laurent, and Prada. All are affordable when they are preloved.
What is Louis Vuitton's cheapest bag?
Louis Vuitton's most affordable bags include the Pochette, Speedy, and Montsouris. Their pricing is most affordable when it’s been preowned.
What is a pre loved luxury bag?
A preloved luxury bag means that the item is second hand. Specifically, preloved refers to any item that’s been loved by someone else before coming to you.
In closing
Buying your first starter designer bag doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you go for something on this list or not is completely up to you.
Whichever item you buy, be proud of it.