Is Charles and Keith A Luxury Brand? All The Info You Need

We only feature products that we hope you will love. We may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.  

Charles and Keith is a top fashion label, known for stunning shoes, handbags, and accessories, but is Charles and Keith a luxury brand? Find out in this article!

We love the stylish and sophisticated style of all the Charles and Keith leather goods, including a wide variety of boots, heels, and sandals, lots of gorgeous handbags, stunning jewelry, sunglasses, and small leather goods.

However, there is a question as to whether Charles and Keith is a luxury brand. Some see Charles and Keith as an affordable luxury brand because of their super trendy and stylish leather goods and shoes, while others do not consider Charles and Keith to be a luxury brand because of the price range of their products.

This article will look at the history of the brand, and the quality of its products, and explore some of its best sellers, before coming to a conclusion on the question, is Charles and Keith a luxury brand? Find out everything you need to know here!

Is Charles and Keith a luxury brand?

The History of Charles and Keith

Charles and Keith is a Singaporean fashion house and luxury goods label that was first founded in 1996. The brand was started by brothers Charles Wong and Keith Wong after they spent time working in their parent’s shoe store to learn the shoe-making craft. They decided to go into business together and open the first Charles and Keith store in 1996 at the Amara Shopping Centre.

This international brand evolved as they realized that buying shoes from a wholesaler and selling them was unsustainable, so they began to design their own shoes based on their own customer’s feedback, pushing the boundaries of modern footwear production.


This caused the shoe business to grow significantly and they could individualize their brand and create shoes that customers really wanted to buy. Charles and Keith began with new designs of women’s footwear, but then added a men’s collection in 2005, then a range of accessories, including belts and sunglasses, in 2007.

Only two years after establishing their first store, Charles and Keith expanded the brand, venturing into Indonesia and Australia. The Charles and Keith label grew into more overseas markets in the 2000s, opening a store in the Philippines in 2001, then in the Middle East, specifically Dubai in 2004, and then Saudi Arabia in 2005.

In 2011 the luxury fashion conglomerate LVMH invested a 20-percent stake in the company so it could expand further overseas. Now, Charles and Keith have over 600 brick-and-mortar stores across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, including Bahrain, Vietnam, Qatar, Hong Kong, Japan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Libya.

In 2004, Charles and Keith were one of the first brands in the fashion industry to open an online store so that their high-quality products could reach further around the world.

Charles and Keith now have worldwide shipping, which means that no matter where you are in the world, from Europe to the United States, you get still get hold of your favorite Charles and Keith bag.

Quality of Charles and Keith

To determine whether Charles and Keith is a luxury brand, we need to look at the quality of the products by delving into the price range, materials, and craftsmanship of Charles and Keith pieces.

1. price range

Let’s begin with the price range as this will tell us a lot about the luxury status of this brand. Charles and Keith bags range between $43 and $189, which is a pretty affordable price, while their smaller leather goods like wallets are available for between $16 and $96.

Charles and Keith also offer a wide range of accessories; the jewelry ranges from $9 to $56, sunglasses are sold for between $46 and $76, while hair and tech accessories are on offer for between $13 and $113.

Since Charles and Keith began as a shoe brand, their sneakers, heels, boots, and sandals range from $43 up to $216. As you can see, all the prices are pretty affordable which shows how Charles and Keith is not a luxury brand on the same level as European luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

2. Materials

The materials used in Charles and Keith bags and shoes also tell us a lot about the quality of the brand. The majority of bags are made from faux leather, while there are some more expensive options made from genuine leather, most commonly natural calf leather. There are also felt, tweed, jacquard, and raffia bags available from this brand if you are looking for a bag with a little more texture.

As almost all small leather goods from Charles and Keith are made from faux leather, sometimes with the addition of canvas or jacquard fabric – the quality of Charles and Keith is not the same high standard as well-known luxury brands. Furthermore, even though Charles and Keith are working toward making their brand more sustainable, as of now, the majority of their bags are not biodegradable due to tits use of faux leather.

Looking at Charles and Keith footwear, you can see that it is made from a wide variety of different materials, including patent faux leather laminated sheep leather, natural calf leather, Nappa sheep leather, woven fabric, jacquard, and recycled polyester.

Newer Charles and Keith shoes are good quality and more likely to be made from real leather, but it is worth checking as the more affordable shoes are made from faux leather or recycled polyester.

3. Craftsmanship

All products from Charles and Keith are made in Singapore, the country where the brand was founded. Charles and his younger brother Keith believe in giving back to the community and supporting the local area and local talent and so they have ensured that all of their products are made and designed in Singapore.

This also means they can easily check that all of the bags, shoes, and selection of accessories are made to the same high standard.

Best selling pieces from Charles and Keith

There are so many stunning products available from Charles and Keith website and retail stores, so we have narrowed it down to a few of the best-selling bags, shoes, and accessories so you can easily find a piece that suits your personal style.

1. Bags
Tan Charles and Keith Balta Belted Tote Bag
Get this on Charles and Keith
Green Charles and Keith Flora Belted Saddle Bag
Get this on Charles and Keith

We love the refined, elegant design of this Balta Belted Tote Bag in this versatile brown shade. This tote is crafted from faux leather for a durable and sleek finish, and has a striking silhouette and spacious interior, making it ideal for both work and the weekend.

The bag has looping top handles and secures with a flip-over belt, finished with a vibrant orange paper clip motif. Inside, the bag you will find a detachable pouch, making it super easy to keep everything organized.

The Flora Belted Saddle Bag is the perfect everyday handbag, with a chic silhouette and practical interior. This curved bag is made from faux leather and is finished with gold-toned hardware for a glam touch.

The long shoulder strap is detachable and adjustable so you really can adapt this bag to suit your style. The front flap secures with a buckle, which allows easy access to the compact interior, and is fitted with a wall pocket to help you keep everything organized.

White Charles and Keith Verity Chain-Link Sculptural Bag
Get this on Charles and Keith
Black Charles and Keith Knit & Nylon Metallic Buckle Backpack
Get this on Charles and Keith

Sculptural bags are so trendy at the moment, particularly the Jacquemus sculptural bags, so if you are looking for a more affordable option, then this Verity Chain-Link Sculptural Bag is perfect for you.

This bag is available in white, pink, black and pale yellow, all embellished with gold, abstract-shaped chain strap for a bold finish. The undulating curves of this bag ensure an eye-catching silhouette, perfectly finished with a sleek shoulder strap.

A backpack is such a handy bag to own in your collection, and we love the neutral colors and versatility of this Knit & Nylon Metallic Buckle Backpack. This black backpack has plenty of room for everything you need during a busy weekend or day at college.

The bag is crafted from a knit fabric, which is lightweight and durable, and then embellished with a gleaming gold buckle. The side pockets are super handy, while the drawstring top opens to reveal a spacious interior with pockets so you can easily find everything you need.

2. Shoes
Black Charles and Keith Metallic Accent Trapeze Heel Sandals
Get these on Charles and Keith
Black Charles and Keith Gabine Leather Lace-Up Ankle Boots
Get these on Charles and Keith

These Metallic Accent Trapeze Heel Sandals from Charles and Keith will quickly become go-to shoes in your wardrobe during the summer months. Available in black and white, these sandals are set on a trapeze block heel and finished with a delicate toe strap, a thick strap around the top of the foot, and a buckled ankle strap.

The sandals are finished with gold-toned accents for a touch of glamour – making these sandals ideal for both day and night.

For the colder winter months, you will need these Gabine Leather Lace-Up Ankle Boots. Again, these shoes are super versatile and can be styled with jeans, dresses or skirts, and tights.

The lace-up boots have a low block heel, almond-shaped toe, and a glittering gold buckle for a gorgeously stylish touch. The boots are made from natural calf leather, making them super durable, while the breathable lining means your foot stays cool inside the boots.

3. Accessories
Black Charles and Keith Quilted Pouch
Get this on Charles and Keith
Black Charles and Keith Sabrina Envelope Phone Pouch
Get this on Charles and Keith

This Charles and Keith Quilted Pouch can go from a shoulder bag to a clutch to a wallet so you have plenty of options as to how to style this bag – plus the beautiful quilting means this bag easily goes from day to night.

The pouch is made from textured, quilted faux leather and embellished with a small, gold Charles and Keith logo. The delicate gleaming gold strap is detachable so you can adapt the bag to suit your look. There is a main compartment, zipper pocket, and exterior slip pocket so you can keep everything organized.

We love the stunning look of this Charles and Keith Sabrina Envelope Phone Pouch – so stylish! The refined, modern design has a little sparkle and glamour with the gold, engraved hardware on the buckle.

The long, delicate leather strap is adjustable and detachable, while a magnetic snap and buckle keep all your belonging safe and secure. The different pockets mean you can hold your phone, wallet, and keys safely – making this phone pouch ideal for running errands.

Conclusion

It is easy to answer the question, is Charles and Keith a luxury brand, when you look at the price range and materials of their products. Charles and Keith is not a luxury brand, but instead a good-quality leather goods and footwear brand that has lots of super stylish and chic pieces on offer.

The price range is significantly lower than luxury brands, and the main material used is faux leather, which shows how the quality is not up to the same standard as the well-established luxury brands that primarily use leather.

If you are looking for a gorgeous new bag, in a fun pop of color, to add to your wardrobe, then Charles and Keith is a great brand to choose from. Similarly, their range of shoes is exquisite, with everything from minimalist everyday options to more trendy shoes available so you are bound to find something that suits your style.

We hope you found this article answering the question, is Charles and Keith a luxury brand, helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.

Get more luxury fashion ideas

12 Brands Like Charles And Keith For Your Next Pair Of Shoes Or Bag

Is MCM A Luxury Brand? Everything You Need To Know

30 Best Designer Everyday Bags You Need In Your Life

Browse All Luxury Fashion Posts

Similar Posts