No matter what your budget might be, one thing is probably true: the bags on your wish list cost more than you’d really like to pay for them. Handbag prices just keep going up, and often, it feels like accessibly priced options are few and far between. The Internet is vast, though, and we set out to take stock of things. As it turns out, it is possible to get a great bag that doesn’t cost as much as your rent.
There are certain limitations, of course. If you want real leather (which we know most of you do), the best options you’re going to find under $200 are generally going to be either very small or very simple–think mini crossbodies and soft leather totes with no exterior embellishment or interior organization. The majority of the bags we chose are all or partly leather, but we included a couple vegan options, too. To get the best leather bang for your buck, seek out specialty retailers; the most high-end looking bags we found in real leather under 200 bucks were from “mall” retailers like Madewell, Gap and Zara.
Below, check out the spoils of our expedition.
ASOS Calf Hair Leather Tote
$108 via ASOS
Baggu Bucket Bag
$140 via ShopBop
Calvin Klein Mary Canvas Drawstring Bag
$133 via Macy’s
Cambridge Satchel Tiny Satchel
$85 via ShopBop
Coach Ocelot Herald Crossbody Bag
$150 via Coach
Dagne Dover Tiny Tote
$175 via Dagne Dover
Deux Lux Drawstring Bucket Bag
$105 via ShopBop
Dooney & Bourke Pebble Bitsy Bag
$178 via Macy’s
Erin Dana Mini Bond Street Backpack
$198 via ShopBop
Fossil Monica Turnlock Crossbody
$88 via Macy’s
Gap Snake-Embossed Leather Tote
$120 via Gap
Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Monday Crossbody
$198 via ShopBop
Madewell Kensington Satchel
$198 via ShopBop
Madewell Large Tote
$148 via ShopBop
MICHAEL Michael Kors Bedford Flap Crossbody Bag
$178 via Neiman Marcus
Milly Ludlow Mini Crossbody
$175 via Bloomingdale’s
Nine West Helena Mini Tote
$75 via Macy’s
Rebecca Minkoff Avery Crossbody Bag
$175 via ShopBop
Tommy Hilfiger Molly Textured Leather Tote
$168 via Macy’s
Zara Mini Leather Bucket Bag
$159 via Zara
Great list! Love the diversity of options. I have two pre-teen nieces who love hamdbags and I think some of these options are splendid to get My nieces who are starting to be bitten by their aunt’s bag bug 😉
Agree! Several look much more expensive than their current selling price.
Never looked at Madewell for handbags. I have to admit that the satchel looks nice.
Is “chicest” a word??
Indeed it is: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chicest
Thanks Amanda ????. I am a word snob ????
Love the Madewell tote!
With this price, I’d recommend Monique brand from Bangkok. Worth every bucks!
I did look them up out of curiosity. They have the most amazing chic bags. Planning to visit the store when I visit Thailand.
Glad to hear you love them just like me dear.
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Please post more of these!! I really value your opinion on the quality of a bag, even if it’s not high end!
The adjustable strap on the Madewell is genius! I hope to see more like it.
Love bags.. like the orange tote at macy’s!
If you had an under $500 category you couldn’t go past AVGVS – stunning luxury bags beautifully made with italian leathers but at prices that are a fraction of top designer brands !! http://www.avgvs.com/product-category/womens/?show_products=37