Buying an expensive bag is one thing; buying a bag that looks expensive is quite another. Spending big bucks on a handbag usually helps ensure that it looks luxurious, but not only are those kinds of budgets just not feasible for many women, but they’re also not always necessary. Below, we’ve scoured the Internet for a baker’s dozen of bags that look far more spendy than their price tags, starting at only $78.
During our search, we found some common themes for getting the best visual bang for your buck. First, stick to muted tones or neutrals – bags that look like they’d be carried by women with important jobs are bags that also tend to look slick and luxurious. Second, keep it simple. Modern hardware and minimal detailing give bags an elegant feel, and an understated piece always trumps something with tons of hardware, pockets, stitching and zippers when it comes to looking expensive. Lastly, smaller bags are often the way to go. When less expensive materials are made into a larger bag, their flaws are more apparently; stay small and structured to avoid both that and big-bag sloppiness.