Recently, Megs responded to one of our readers who was looking to choose between three options to buy her first premier designer bag, and her question got me thinking about how the accessories landscape must look for someone just beginning in 2016. Picking a first top-tier designer bag is always a fraught thing; when you’re looking to make a large expenditure in an area you’ve never made one in before, where do you start?
As you may have gathered, this is sort of our thing, so below, we’ve got the 15 places we’d considering starting a designer bag collection in 2016. For this group, we drew from only premier designers, and we tried to pick bags that would be both recognizable and have staying power, and we tried to stick to the lower end of each brand’s price spectrum. Check out the results below.
Balenciaga City Bag
$1,835 via Balenciaga
The City has been around long enough to make it a certifiable classic, and the price is still accessible enough to make it a feasible choice to start a collection. I’d suggest going for a bright color; that’s what the brand is really known for.
Bottega Veneta Olimpia Shoulder Bag
$2,150 via Net-a-Porter
Any designer bag aficionado can spot Bottega Veneta’s intrecciato from a mile away, and this structure gives it a more youthful feeling for those starting out in the bag game.
Burberry Banner Tote
$1,595 via Nordstrom
This tote features a little bit of signature novacheck at the gussets, but from the front, it’s a totally neutral tote; the combination makes it perfect for a first-timer.
Céline Belt Bag
$3,050 via Céline
If the Luggage or Trapeze styles feel a little too obvious but you still want to try Céline, the Belt Bag is easily the way to go.
Chanel Wallet on Chain
$1,900 via Chanel
At less than $2,500 and still aesthetically reminiscent of the pricier Classic Flaps, Chanel’s petite WOCs have long been the bag of preference for women looking to start their collections with Chanel.
Chloé Small Faye Bag
$1,390 via Net-a-Porter
When you’re looking at price vs. style, the small version of the Faye is easily Chloé’s best deal.
Fendi Petite 2Jours Tote
$2,350 via Nordstrom
Every time I see someone carrying a Petite 2Jours, I can’t help but think how perfect it is–not too big, not too small, always sophisticated. That’s a great combination for a first designer bag.
Givenchy Nightingale Bag
$2,450 via Net-a-Porter
The Nightingale has the advantage of being both new and classic; the bag has been around for years, but the recent redesign makes it feel fresh and modern.
Gucci Soho Disco Bag
$980 via Gucci
The Soho Disco was a favorite of the PurseBlog team even before Alessandro Michele revitalized the brand, and now that everyone wants a little bit of Gucci, this functional piece is an even better pick.
Loewe Small Puzzle Bag
$2,350 via Nordstrom
If you tend to skew toward the artsy and experimental side of things, Loewe’s first big hit since it hired Jonathan Anderson is the way to build your collection.
Louis Vuitton Alma BB Bag
$1,200 via Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton has a lot of classics that would make fine choices for beginning a designer collection, but the freshest-feeling among them is the small version of the Alma. Seriously, even Rihanna carries it regularly.
MCM Milla Bag
$920 via Nordstrom
MCM isn’t the first designer brand you might think of, but that works to its advantage; you’re less likely to see your first bag everywhere you go.
Prada Saffiano Executive Tote
$2,390 via Bergdorf Goodman
Prada’s saffiano totes have been the choice of a whole generation of high-powered women for a very good reason.
Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Bag
$2,890 via Nordstrom
Even though the Sac de Jour is trendy, it’s simple enough to stick around as a popular piece for years to come.
Valentino Rockstud Noir Shoulder Bag
$3,445 via Nordstrom
If Rockstuds are your thing, definitely take advantage of the numerous styles the brand offers and pick something that perfectly fits your needs.
So, happy to see the Fendi Petit 2Jours, on this list. It was my choice for my first premium handbag, when I splurged on a Chanukah gift to myself. Amanda, like you said…. it is not too big, not too small, and always sophisticated.
Great list!
Great list. Glad that it included bags at all different price points. Very happy to see the Bottega Veneta Olimpia as it’s a great looking bag, but I feel doesn’t get much love.
I have the Olimpia in the larger size and it is a fab bag. Its only drawbacks are that it is kind of heavy given the leather, suede lining and double chain and that the chain (on the larger version at least) can be quite noisy, clanking away if you set it down on a glass or hard (granite etc) surface. I love it anyway 🙂
It is a great list, but I would pick the Alma PM over the BB size. And perhaps in an epi leather instead of Damier.
I agree completely….the epi leather is much classier. I’m a BV girl but most people don’t appreciate BV.
Of course this is an excellent list! I wouldn’t expect any less from you all. And even though I have a rather large selection of designer bags, I want a bunch of these myself!
Love this list, but I’d also add the Hermès Evelyne at $3300 or so, since anything they do is luxurious and timeless.
I agree with you. The Evelyne is a great bag to have in your collection, although it is pricey for a beginner, it is definitely one to own at some point of your collection.
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Terrific list, Amanda. I’m not new to collecting designer bags, but I found a few drool-worthy ones here that hadn’t been on my radar. The Loewe Small Puzzle Bag now has pride of place on my Nordstrom wish list!
Thank you for the suggestions! When I started becoming addicted (sounds terrible!) to this blog, I also tried to find the actual bag in the store and try it and look at it before buying. I feel this will decrease the hype and impulsivity that tends to come with designer bags (at least for me). That’s because all of a sudden, the voice of practicality will sound alarm bells in my head. Make sure a bag works for you! Just another unsolicited word of advice when starting a designer collection.
Great list! FYI the Burberry Banner has housecheck on the sides and not novacheck.
I agree with almost everything. Loewe Puzzle bag, though? I’d understand if it was Loewe Amazona.
The Gucci Disco is a “must-have” for sure.
This is a great list, even for those who aren’t completely new to designer handbags. Whenever I spend that sort of money, I tend to go for items with lasting power over anything trendy. I just bought two bags this year to start my own bag collection: the Fendi Petite 2jours in black and a Prada Saffiano tote in ink blue. I already have my eye on some of the other bags listed here for bag #3! 🙂
I’d just like to throw out there for first-time bag owners not to make the mistake that I made going for a light-colored lambskin. Until you really know how you (and jeans) treat (or mistreat) your bags, or which bags require the utmost TLC, perhaps stick to more robust leathers!
No Dior? Some of these are a bit blah and basic. Thankfully no Michael Kors. I started my collection with Chanel, I didn’t go straight for the traditional flap bag and went for a flap bag with a twist!
Yes, a very good list! Another idea when starting a collection is to focus only on one designer and purchase a few bags from that designer and then move on to the next, and so on, and so on…
Love the Fendi. I think it’s time to start my Fendi collection!
Amazing and beautiful designer bags. I really lived them. Thanks for the update!
Balenciaga is always my favourite but also DesaNineteenseventytwo is a new brand of great bags
I’m so glad someone else has mentioned them! I just wish there was even a single store on the east coast that sold their bags.
Excellent choices…but the rockstud? Really?
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/2016/08/best-bags-for-fall/
Agree!! I cannot believe the rockstud made the list…
Great list! I’d love the get my hands on that puzzle bag. Such a cool, unusual design.
Trendy would probably be the last word I’ll use to describe the Sac de Jour since its shape is relatively safe but lovely list nonetheless. The Gucci Disco I love love love.
Great list. I have some of those bags in my collection, a bag from most of those designers and a few bags on the list I might consider. I think for someone starting their designer collection, another good option would be any of the Chloe “Marcie” styles. The different shapes, sizes and colors seem endless. And I feel like they are also on their way to becoming classic bags since they’ve been around for a number of years now, and depending on the size, the price points aren’t that bad either
I got my first designer bag this year! And I love it! YSL black wallet on a chain with gold hardware. It fits all I need for a date or brunch with the girls and it makes all my outfits look stylish.
This is the perfect starter bag! I love YSL especially the logo…and I am not a logo person. I bought a Chanel WOC years ago and get so much use out of it (maybe I need a YSL WOC). Enjoy your beautiful bag.
Love all the bags you listed, wish I could have them all!
I have to broaden my brand collection…Lanvin is worth adding to the list of must haves.
Ahh i love my city bag.
Loewe Puzzle is a great election!!! The Loewe Amazona or Flamenco. too but Puzzle is new, original and versátil. Fendi and Givenchy are good elections, too!!! I am a little fed up of Valentino studs bags.