Best Of

The Best Indie Bag Brands in 2021

From my Instagram feed to yours...

If you’re anything like me, you may have a complicated relationship with social media, but one of the things I keep it around for is to discover new brands. There are some great indie designers out there offering all kinds of unique bags, from alternative eco leathers to artisan beaded bags, there is always something new to find. So to help keep you all in the loop I decided to share some of my favorite brands to shop from right now.

Santos

Santos is a small female and Puerto Rican owned brand with a mission to challenge the way the industry works. Not only are all bags hand made to order in super limited quantities, but the brand promises to plant a tree for each bag sold. Its materials are also super sustainable, as most bags are made with Mexican cactus leather and the lining is made from a recycled water bottle and organic cotton blend. I have yet to own one of these Beauties but the Agave Triangular tote is on my wishlist!

You can check out the brand’s Instagram or head here to shop.

El Cholo’s Kid

I’m low-key obsessed with this brand, especially when it comes to fun summer bags for a really good price. I have four of them (yes four!), in all different sizes and they always come in handy. I also teach part-time so it’s great to have a huge bag to toss everything in and not worry about. The bags are made from recycled plastic using traditional Mexican weaving techniques and the brand is a Latina-owned business.

You can check out the brand’s Instagram or head here to shop.

Les Flors

Inspired by late sixties and early seventies aesthetics, architecture, and music, Les Flors makes handmade beaded bags and accessories like earrings, headbands, and necklaces out of San José, Costa Rica. Sparkly, colorful, and 420 friendly, this brand’s vibe perfectly aligns with my own and I’m simply obsessed. Some of my favorite bags include the Sacre Coeur (pictured above), the Ojos bag, and the Stevie bag.

You can check out the brand’s Instagram and DM them to shop.

Anima Iris

I have yet to own one of these beauties but I have had my eye on them for a while now. This brand does a great job exploring unique materials that accent the bag’s structural form. All the bags are handcrafted in Dakar, Senegal and all the materials used are sourced from local Senegalese businesses. The brand also has a huge focus on sustainability and uses manufacturers with a zero-waste model. I particularly love the Zaza Grande pictured, but the brand offers a number of great bags and even offers a customization service.

You can check out the brand’s Instagram or head here to shop.

M28

Based out of St Petersburg, Russia this little brand offers a variety of pieces inspired by the wet and windy weather of creator’s hometown. All the pieces are handmade by one the brand’s creators and the quality is excellent especially for the price. I own a couple of pieces with my favorite being the puffed shoulder bag, and I’m hoping to bag one of their puffy scarves this coming winter. If you’re looking to support a small business and love minimal and understated, look no further!

You can check out their Instagram or head here to shop.

I hope you love these brands as much as I do. Comment below with brands you’d love us to check out!

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