25 Best First Designer Bags That Are Completely Gorgeous
If you are new to the world of luxury fashion, then choosing your first designer bag can be a challenge. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best first designer bags to help decide which luxury bag to go for.
When deciding what your first designer bag should be, there are lots of things that need to be taken into consideration – is it going to be an investment piece? Are you looking for versatility? An everyday bag or one that suits evening wear?
This article will include your perfect bag, whatever sort of luxury handbag you are looking for.
25 Best First designer bags
1. Marc Jacobs Snapshot Crossbody Bag
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The Marc Jacobs Snapshot Crossbody Bag is the perfect choice as the first designer bag – practical, versatile, and a beautiful bag – it has everything. This compact crossbody bag is decorated with a gleaming double J logo and features a wide, guitar-style strap which adds a little bit of color.
This strap is detachable so the bag can also be carried as a clutch – just perfect. The Marc Jacobs Snapshot bag is available for $325 – the ideal price for a first bag.
2. Saint Laurent Toy Loulou Leather Crossbody Bag
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Saint Laurent offers some incredible, classic styles of handbags, so there are lots of options to choose from, but this Saint Laurent Toy Loulou Leather Crossbody Bag is one of our favorites.
The leather looks plush with the sumptuous Y-shaped quilting and is then further embellished with the gorgeous glittering gold YSL hardware.
Available in a whole range of neutral tones, this beautiful bag also features an adjustable and removable shoulder strap and a central slip compartment that splits the interior in two so you can always be organized.
3. Louis Vuitton Reverse Monogram Pochette Metis
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Louis Vuitton, as one of the oldest luxury brands, offers some of the best designer handbags and the gorgeous Pochette Metis is just one example.
Louis Vuitton creates timeless, classic bags that will never go out of style and so are a perfect choice as your first designer bag. The elegant Pochette Metis is ideal if you are looking for a crossbody bag – with its LV monogrammed coated canvas and gold engraved hardware.
Not only is the bag beautiful, but it’s also totally practical too with its exterior zipper pocket and partitioned interior.
4. Coach Pillow Tabby Leather Shoulder Bag
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The Coach Pillow Tabby 26 Leather Shoulder Bag is totally irresistible! The puffy, pillowy silhouette is so unique and gives a contemporary twist to this classic baguette bag.
The C Coach logo features a tonal leather on the front flap, which opens up to an interior fitted with multiple pockets to help you remain organized!
The top handle and long shoulder strap are also detachable so you can customize this bag to your outfit – making it so versatile and the perfect first luxury handbag!
5. Prada Re-Edition 2005 Re-Nylon bag
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You cannot get more of a classic, on-trend bag than the Prada Re-Edition 2005 Re-Nylon bag. The sleek black nylon and silver hardware is a timeless combination that looks absolutely stunning on this irresistible Prada bag.
Eternally stylish, this bag is an excellent choice if you are looking for a minimalist shoulder bag that would add a sophisticated element to any outfit. The delicate chain strap and black webbing strap ensure versatility with this gorgeous luxury handbag.
6. Louis Vuitton Monogram Giant Neverfull
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The Louis Vuitton Neverfull is an iconic bag and an important part of the history of the Louis Vuitton brand.
The Neverfull has been reinvented many times, so you can pick the timeless monogram canvas version, or get your hands on a limited edition print, such as this khaki oversized monogram print. The green background with a white LV monogram is then reversed for the trim and the handles for an eye-catching finish.
This bag is iconic for a reason, the stunning design and functional nature of the bag make it one of the best first designer bags you could buy.
7. Longchamp Le Pliage Tote
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The Longchamp Le Pliage tote is an iconic bag that is eternally stylish and sophisticated. The Le Pliage is one of the most popular tote bags out there because of its practicality, durability, and stunning design. The bag is made from sleek nylon, with tan leather trim, while the roomy interior has multiple wall pockets to help you remain organized.
The nylon is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain, and it’s lightweight enough to be folded up, making it ideal for holidays or travel. Everyone needs a Le Pliage in their life!
8. Tory Burch Fleming Leather Shoulder Bag
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The Tory Burch Fleming collection is a fan favorite from this luxury brand, and the Fleming Small Convertible Leather Shoulder Bag is the perfect example of why this collection is popular.
The shoulder bag is made from supple lambskin, which features diamond quilting on the body of the bag, whilst the front flap is embossed with the iconic double T logo.
The glittering gold chain can be pulled through so the bag can be worn on the shoulder or across the body. This shoulder bag is a classic piece that would make the perfect first designer handbag.
9. Gucci Dionysus shoulder bag
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The Dionysus is a famous Gucci bag, that is eternally stylish, day or night. The bag features a sliding chain strap that can be worn over the shoulder or across the body for the ultimate versatility – making it an excellent choice for your first designer bag.
The Gucci handbag is named after the Greek God Dionysus who crossed the Tigris River on the back of a tiger – which explains the eye-catching tiger head closure that defines this bag.
The crystal-embellished tiger head sparkles against the beige and ebony GG supreme canvas of this bag, which actually is available in different sizes to suit your lifestyle!
10. Marc Jacobs Small Traveler Canvas Tote
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The Marc Jacobs Small Traveler Canvas Tote bag is a recent edition but instantly became a classic because of its stylish and functional design.
The lightweight canvas tote can be folded, making it perfect for traveling, while the interior is also spacious enough to fit everything you could possibly need. The top handles, plus the detachable shoulder strap, mean lots of carrying options, making it the ideal bag in any situation.
Available in three different colors, all with the Marc Jacobs logo printed on the front, this bag would suit any personal style.
11. Chloé Marcie Saddle Crossbody Bag
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The Chloé Marcie bag is a favorite in the collection of Chloé bags. The saddlebag shape is a classic silhouette and is minimally decorated with curved topstitching for a textural finish on the grained leather. The leather crossbody strap loops around the bottom of the bag for a functional, comfortable fit.
The Marcie is also available in a whole range of different colors, but if you are looking for something that will suit every outfit, this black option is the ideal color for you. Chloé’s bags are also relatively affordable, so you can get your hands on the Marcie saddle bag for $1,350.
12. Saint Laurent Lou Camera Bag
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Another completely gorgeous Saint Laurent bag is the Lou monogram camera bag.
Available in seven different colors of calfskin leather, this bag again features quilting in a chevron design and the gold YSL logo as an eye-catching feature on the front of the bag. A Saint Laurent leather tassel decorates the base of the adjustable delicate leather strap. The zip-around closure guarantees easy access to the sizable interior.
This bag will always look sophisticated and elegant, and since it comes in so many different colors, would suit any style!
13. Gucci GG Marmont shoulder bag
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The Gucci Marmont is a timeless classic and one of the best investment bags you could find. The simple design just features two different variations of quilting on the buttery soft leather, and the glittering GG hardware front and center on the bag.
The chain strap has a leather shoulder pad to guarantee comfort, while the strap can also be pulled through to be worn on the shoulder or across the body – so versatile! One of the more expensive options, at $2,550, but this exquisite bag is totally worth the investment.
14. Chloé Woody Medium Linen Leather Tote Bag
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As you can see by this chic Woody tote bag, Chloé creates some of the best designer bags, all imbued with that Parisian cool-girl aesthetic that is so sophisticated.
This tote bag perfectly embodies that aesthetic, the simple design features a beige structured linen tote with Chloé printed webbing which decorates the bag and forms the handles, and topstitched pale blue leather sitting next to the Chloé logo.
The longer top handles mean this roomy tote fits comfortably under your arm. This bag is perfect for those of you looking for a practical tote that will never go out of fashion.
15. Valentino Rockstud Shoulder Bag
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Valentino, under the leadership of creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, has become a favorite fashion house, mixing the contemporary with aspects from the Valentino archives.
This Rockstud Shoulder Bag is the perfect example of Valentino’s classic design – the red pebbled lamb leather is embellished with the quintessentially Valentino polished gold Rockstuds, which also run along the shoulder strap too.
The gold flip-lock opens up to reveal a leather-lined interior with a slip pocket for the most luxurious of finishes.
16. Tory Burch McGraw Leather Bucket Bag
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The bucket bag is often overlooked, but it would make the perfect first designer bag – effortlessly stylish with a spacious interior, what more could you want! This Tory Burch McGraw Small Leather Bucket Bag is the perfect example.
The black pebbled leather is just embellished with a line of topstitching and the Tory Burch double T logo. With both a top hand to wear over the shoulder, or a longer strap for crossbody wear, this will be a go-to bag in your wardrobe for a long time – and on sale for just $348!
17. See by Chloé Mara Leather Saddle Bag
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The younger sister of the luxury French brand Chloé, See by Chloé has a great selection of designer handbags at really affordable prices – such as this Mara Leather Saddle Bag.
The ring hardware that decorated the bag reflects the gold ring frame of this crossbody bag. The classic saddle bag silhouette is accented by the two-tone leather.
The chain strap features a leather shoulder pad to ensure comfort, while the interior features a slip pocket to help you stay organized – all for $595!
18. Dior Lambskin Mini Lady Dior
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The Lady Dior bag is a beloved handbag from the Dior brand. First launched in 1995, the Lady Dior was seen on the arm of Princess Diana which propelled it to instant success and it has stayed there ever since.
At a little higher price point of $5,300, the Lady Dior is the perfect investment piece. The geometrically quilted leather, chunky top handles, and gleaming gold Dior charm make it so chic, while the chain shoulder strap makes it so versatile as well.
Go for this bag in a neutral color so you can wear it all the time!
19. Givenchy Mini Antigona Sugar Leather Satchel
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Givenchy’s creative director at the time, Riccardo Tisci, launched the Antigona Satchel in 2011, and it quickly became that it-bag that everyone had on their arm. Still to this day, it is a timeless, sophisticated bag that would make the perfect first designer bag.
Available in multiple different sizes and colors, the mini Antigona is the flawless compact version of this instantly recognizable Givenchy bag.
The silhouette is completely unique, with the top handles and long shoulder strap making it practical. This may be the mini size, but there is still a spacious interior to fit all your everyday essentials.
20. Tory Burch Perry Bombé Mini Bag
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Another perfect little compact handbag is the Tory Burch Perry Bombé Mini Bag – made from pebbled leather in a classic silhouette, you can’t really go wrong.
The bag is embossed with the double T medallion of the Tory Burch brand and features a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap for ultimate versatility.
Available in beautiful Heron Gray, which is guaranteed to suit a wide range of outfits, making this the perfect everyday handbag.
21. Celine Drummed Calfskin Nano Luggage Tote
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The Celine Luggage tote is another timeless bag that always looks incredibly chic. Available in multiple different sizes, the silhouette of this bag is instantly recognizable and so elegant, the rolled leather top handles are just one of the carrying options – as the bag also comes with a shoulder strap.
The aged silver hardware perfectly accentuates the grained calfskin leather and forms the top zip of the bag so you can keep all your essentials safe.
22. Michael Kors Soho Flower Quilted Chain Shoulder Bag
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The Michael Kors SoHo shoulder bag embodies the spirit of the New York City neighborhood the bag is named after. The matte leather is quilted in a gorgeous flower pattern and then decorated with tiny studs for that perfect mix of sumptuous and glamorous.
The gold push-lock opens up to a roomy interior that would perfectly fit all your essentials, plus a zip pocket so you never lose anything at the bottom of your bag. The chain and leather strap can be worn across the body or doubled up and worn on the shoulder – so many styling options!
23. Coach Tabby Soft Leather Shoulder Bag
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Coach makes a great range of affordable, but luxury, handbags – such as this chic Tabby Soft Leather Shoulder Bag. The Tabby shoulder bag is made from supple black leather and decorated with a gleaming gold C on the front flap.
The detachable top handle and shoulder strap mean this bag is a great choice if you are looking for something versatile. The magnetic front flap opens to reveal a roomy interior with a zip pocket, so you can always be organized. This superb bag is also just available for $395!
24. Gucci Horsebit 1955 shoulder bag
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The Gucci Horsebit bag is a big purchase, as this shoulder bag has a price tag of $3,250, but this is a timeless handbag that you will love forever. The black smooth leather and gold hardware give this archival bag a modern twist.
The Horsebit hardware that features front and center on this shoulder bag highlights Gucci’s equestrian heritage and has since become a distinctive element of the Gucci brand under Alessandro Michele.
The bag also has a mechanism that means the length of the strap can be lengthened or shortened – to ensure the bag has a classic, sleek finish.
25. Michael Kors Marilyn Saffiano Leather Satchel
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Michael Kors always delivers stunning handbags with a price tag that won’t break the bank.
Marilyn Medium Leather Satchel is just perfect – made from Italian Saffiano leather, fitted with lots of pockets in the spacious interior and a crossbody strap as well as top handles, it has everything you could need. The gleaming hardware shines against the luxurious leather for a fabulous finish on this incredible handbag.
We hope you found this list of the best first designer bags helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.
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