It wasn’t so long ago that $1,500 was a sweet spot for designer bags. In the mid-2000s, sough-after bags like the Chloé Paddington retailed for prices near that magic number, and even as recently as 2010, the Céline Luggage Tote debuted at $1,750. It now costs nearly $3,000, despite being exactly the same bag it was six years ago and the rate of inflation not supporting that kind of surge, but hey, luxury prices are kind of made up anyway. That’s a bargain we’ve all made at this point.
As absurd as it feels to say it, finding a solid bag that feels like a good value for $1,500 can be kind of tricky in this, the year of our lord 2016. Top-tier designers usually position the all-leather versions of their most important bags around the $2,000 mark, which means $1,500 gets you a lot of minis, crossbodies and bags made primarily of a material that isn’t leather.
To better evaluate which brands are giving those with a $1,500 bag budget the most bang for their buck, we looked through 20 big brands’ current offerings to find the design we felt was the best value in their under-$1,500 inventory. Below, check out the results of our search–we’d enumerate the winners and losers, but we think they speak for themselves. (Looking for something at a lower price point? We did the same thing at $1,000 not long ago.)
Alexander McQueen Padlock Tote
$1,495 via Nordstrom
Balenciaga Mini City Bag
$1,325 via Balenciaga
Bottega Veneta Small Woven Flap Bag
$1,450 via Neiman Marcus
Chloé Small Faye Bag
$1,390 via Nordstrom
Dolce & Gabbana Rosalia Bag
$1,395 via mytheresa.com
Fendi Mini By The Way Bag
$1,450 via Net-a-Porter
Givenchy Mini Pandora Bag
$1,225 via Net-a-Porter
Gucci Vintage Web Original GG Boston Bag
$1,350 via Gucci
Jimmy Choo Riley Tote
$1,450 via Nordstrom
Lanvin Tassel Tote
$1,390 via Nordstrom
Louis Vuitton Noé Bag
$1,440 via Louis Vuitton
Marni Bandolier Bag
$1,410 via Nordstrom
MCM Milla Tote
$1,100 via Neiman Marcus
Nina Ricci Marché Small Tote
$1,490 via Nordstrom
Prada Saffiano Mini Crossbody Bag
$1,220 via Bergdorf Goodman
Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouch Bag
$1,325 via Proenza Schouler
Saint Laurent Mini Classic Duffel Bag
$1,490 via Net-a-Porter
Salvatore Ferragamo Altea Leather Bag
$1,450 via Nordstrom
The Row Suede Tassel Wristlet Clutch
$1,450 via Saks
Valentino Rockstud Camera Bag
$1,395 via Neiman Marcus
Re the Gucci Supreme Boston bag, if you buy it in Europe you can get the same bag in the beautiful Tian pattern and stay within the limit. The Tian version is 1390 euros, which comes to about $1575 — but factor in the VAT refund and that drops the price below $1500. Just a suggestion!
I have the Tian tote with the red handles and the matching scarf. I love it!! Find a friend in Europe who’s willing to buy it then ship it for you!
But travel to Europe might put you a bit over the limit!
better to buy them now than later…
I want the small Chloe Faye. Some of the others look quite nice, but I just can’t deal with the unrelenting ugliness of that Gucci monogram.
agreed. the gucci mono should have been retired two decades ago.
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I have the by the way bag and honestly the mini is for a child. It is TINY! my 6 year old niece tried it on and it fit her perfectly. Honestly, get the bigger one. You will need the space.
All really shitty bags
Disagree. That Chloe Faye is to die for!
Why?
Something about the Pandora bag messes with my happiness. It looks lopsided. I couldn’t handle that! Lol.
Same, have always hated it tbh. Can’t stand the way it looks.
It makes me wonder if things constantly fall out of it.
Totally agree. Looks like a design fail to me.
What about Mulberry Bayswater? Full size bag, not a mini!!! Its $1400 in the USA:
http://www.mulberry.com/us/shop/women/classics/bayswater-classics/bayswater-oxblood-natural-leather
The Lavin Tassel Tote! Any other colors besides back and white?
The Alexander McQueeb is really beautiful and classy. Also very large! Love it.
No shade but McQueen* but omfg thank you for that laugh. I really needed that tonight.
I love the Marni! So sensible and understated.
The balenciaga one Is a beauty
Most of these are mini/small bags. Not very practical for daily use for most women.
I’ve learned to take very, very good care of friends who frequently travel to Europe, or wait till I’m there so I can go on a shopping spree, because the price difference can be really enormous.
Totally. in many cases 40% less (after tax rebate). Like Valentino.
I really hate the trend of “mini”. Again, what’s the worth of a bag that I can’t carry a q-tip and half a saltine in!? Especially for 1,500$!
Ahahaha, ditto!!
I’ve always liked the Nina Ricci marché tote but never pulled the trigger on it
I bought the Bal Mini City a few weeks ago – my first Balenciaga. I HIGHLY recommend it. It’s light and fits a ton of stuff. Durable enough to knock around. Thanks to PB for introducing me to the brand.
I love Balenciaga for not jacking up their prices every two weeks, which in a sense makes them classy!!
No no no. Some of these bags would be nice in a larger size, like the Saint Laurent duffel bag. I have never liked the flat distessed Balenciaga bags, the Chloe bags with strange closures, the PS bags with multiple straps or any LV bags with that pale leather that gets dirty looking. The new Gucci monogram bags with a strange name are not any less ugly with that horseshoe detail and printed flowers and decorations. In comparison, the Gucci Boston bag shown here is quite nice in its classic simple style.
Anyone else think the Balenciaga bag looks like the Botkier trigger?
The Balenciaga! Get it pre-owned (prices in Canadian dollars, so extra value for you!): https://www.lovethatbag.ca/collections/balenciaga/products/balenciaga-city-silver-metallic-edge-maldives