Nope, Fashion People Won't Ever Ditch This Classic Handbag
Photo:
@nlmarilyn; PICTURED: Chanel Caviar Quilted Flap Bag ($4155)As overused as the quote from the late Yves Saint Laurent might be, it still rings true: "Fashions fade, style is eternal." Especially within the context of modern fashion, which moves much faster than the pace of the industry in the '60s during Laurent's heyday. Like it or not, we live in an age when an It-item can be anointed overnight, only to lose its luster by lunchtime. Therefore, it can be hard to discern what's worth your time and money. That's where we come in, friends!
Although conventional wisdom would tell you that investing in those foundational basics is far more critical, there's something else we feel is worth buying, too: bags. Before you discount our rationale, hear us out on this. Unlike apparel, luxury accessories are one of the few items that acquire value over time. But with so many different types of bags out there, how exactly does one pick a style that will stand the test of time? Return to brands with the "classic" feel built into their brand legacies, such as Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Burberry.
Although each of these luxury labels may have its own rich history, one particular bag style is universal among them: quilted handbags. Characterized by its attentiveness to craftsmanship, this style is typically made from leather, nylon, or cotton with an overlay quilted detail that gives the bag a raised texture. Because quilted bags have been reinvented in various textiles, sizes, and shapes over the years by luxury and affordable labels, it's become a mainstay in the closets of chic people everywhere.
It's one of the best investments you can make. Ahead, we're proving that point as we've rounded up the 31 best quilted handbags at every price point based on quality, versatility, price, popularity, and shoppers' reviews (when possible). Trust us when we say one of these bags will surely become an eternal part of your wardrobe.
Product Specs: Made from nappa leather with diamond quilting, this shoulder bag comes in two colorways and sizes: medium, small, and mini.
Our Highlight: In terms of bags that meld budgetary limits with quality, none do so like Tory Burch! You can rest assured you'll own this shoulder bag for years to come.
Reviewer Highlight: "I've always wanted a quilted bag, and the chain strap sold me on this one. It's definitely a going-out statement piece, as my phone barely fits in it; if you want one for everyday use, I'd recommend sizing up. But it's still a well-made classic bag, and the straps can be easily maneuvered around the shoulder, which I love."
Photo:
@emmanuellek_; PICTURED: Miu Miu Arcadie Matelassé Nappa Leather Bag ($2800)
Product Specs: Made from vegan leather, this bag comes in one colorway and one size (4"H x 7" W x 2" D).
Our Highlight: Although quilted handbags look expensive, it doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune to adopt the style into your life.
Product Specs: Made from chevron-quilted leather, this bag comes in over nine colorways with various hardware options. The silhouette is available in three sizes, mini, jumbo, and small.
Our Highlight: The adjustable strap allows you to style it over your shoulder or across your body.
Reviewer Highlight: "It looks and feels like a luxury brand bag. It is big enough for essentials but small enough to carry all night. I love this bag!"
Product Specs: Made from vegan leather, this shoulder strap bag comes in six colorways, most notably burgundy, cream, black, and taupe. The style only comes in one medium size (23"W x 17"H x 8" D).
Our Highlight: We're obsessed with the burgundy hue of this bag, as it's particularly on-trend.
Product Specs: Made from vegan leather, this bowling bag comes in one color and one size (9" L x 11" H x 3" W).
Our Highlight: Although the most popular version of quilted handbags comes in a rectangular shoulder bag silhouette, it's worth investing in different shapes—including '90s-inspired ones like this Mango bag.
Product Specs: Made from leather, this shoulder bag comes in six colorways with bold hardware. The silhouette also comes in three sizes, including extra-large, large, and medium.
Our Highlight: This bag features two different quilting techniques, making it look all the more special.
Reviewer Highlight: "This bag is the perfect size! The leather is better quality and smoother than I expected. It's so worth it."
Photo:
@leasy_inparis; PICTURED: Longchamp Bag
Product Specs: Made from vegan leather, this shoulder bag has an undetectable and detachable strap. It only comes in one size (9.84" W × 6.10" H × 3.15" D) and five colorways, including red, black, white, brown, and silver.
Our Highlight: We love the curved quilting detail on this bag. It's a unique take on the timeless style.
Product Specs: Made from Italian sheep leather, this quilted chevron shoulder bag comes in two sizes: large and small. It also comes in six colorways, including burgundy, white, taupe, and black, with two different hardware colors.
Our Highlight: The interior is spacious enough to fit sunglasses, a cardholder, a phone, and lip gloss.
Reviewer Highlight: "The purse is absolutely gorgeous. The quality is wonderful, and the material is incredible."
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this bag is only available in one size (4.5"H x 7.25” W x 2.75” D). It is also available in dark green, light blue, tan, and lavender.
Our Highlight: The forest green hue of this bag makes it look even more luxurious, am I right?
Reviewer Highlight: "This is the perfect night-out bag. It's a good size and fits the essentials: phone, card case, and lip gloss."
Product Specs: Made from vegan leather, this shoulder bag only comes in one color and one size (7.4" W x 10" D x 3.5 H").
Our Highlight: When you want an expensive-looking quilted bag but can't afford to spend much. We recommend buying this type of bag in a neutral hue to ensure it's longevity.
Product Specs: Made from calfskin, this shoulder bag comes in two versions, one made with a leather strap and one with a chain strap. It comes in two sizes, large and small, with seven various colorways available.
Our Highlight: You can find some of the best quilted bags in the most unexpected places (ahem, Amazon).
Reviewer Highlight: "The bag is so beautiful, it actually feels like lamb leather. The price is great for this high quality."
Photo:
@lefevrediary; PICTURED: Alexander McQueen The Seal Small Leather Crossbody Bag ($3000)
Product Specs: Made from lamb leather, this shoulder bag comes in two colorways and two sizes, small and large.
Our Highlight: The interior of this bag has two compartments, and a zipper pocket in the middle allows you to keep all your essentials organized.
Reviewer Highlight: "This bag is so beautiful, and the quality is the best! I’m so glad I got this bag; it’s one of my favorites now."
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this shoulder bag has a top handle and removable crossbody strap. It comes in four colorways but only one size (10"W x 6"H x 4"D).
Our Highlight: We love the versatility of this bag. You can style it handheld, as a shoulder bag, or crossbody bag.
Reviewer Highlight: "This is a beautiful bag. It is roomier than it appears and has convenient pockets inside, one of which is zippered. The leather is buttery soft and feels and looks high-end. I've received many compliments on this bag."
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this bag comes in forest green and black, with only one size.
Our Highlight: The chain strap is removable so that you can wear it as a clutch or top-handle bag.
Reviewer Highlight: "This is an absolutely gorgeous handbag. Superb quality, amazingly luxurious. The interior of the bag is finished beautifully with suede. Perfect strap length."
Product Specs: Made from quilted nylon, this shopping tote comes in nine colorways, including black, chocolate, red, green, and gold. It is available in three sizes: small, large, and medium.
Our Highlight: We love that Telfar's signature shopping bag has been reimagined in the form of a nylon puffer bag, as it makes the style even more covetable.
Reviewer Highlight: "It's such a spacious bag! It has a bit more structure, so it has more of a purse-feel than other 'shopping bags' from the brand."
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this shoulder bag has an adjustable crossbody chain strap. The bag is available in five colorways but only one size (10” W x 5.5” H x 3” D).
Our Highlight: Okay, so it's a little bit over the budget, but it's such a good bag that it's worth it.
Reviewer Highlight: "I love this bag! It's cute and classy. There's enough room for items on the go, and the gold accents are so good!"
Photo:
@endlesslyloveclub; PICTURED: Saint Laurent Icare Maxi Shopping Bag in Quilted Lambskin ($4900)
Product Specs: Made from lambskin, this designer quilted tote bag comes in two colorways and one oversize size (58" W x 22 H" x 16 D").
Our Highlight: Although Saint Laurent has a ton of great quilted handbags, we're fans of the buzzy shopping bag that's been spotted on celebrities like Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber.
Reviewer Highlight: "Such a great bag."
Product Specs: Made from crinkled leather, this quilted handbag has a sliding chain strap and prominent hardware. It is available in over five colorways and four sizes: extra small, small, large, and medium.
Our Highlight: The geometric angles on this shoulder bag make the classic style feel a bit cooler.
Reviewer Highlight: "It is a great bag! Elegant and eccentric."
Product Specs: Made of black quilted leather, this bag comes in ten colorways, most notably black, tan, gray, and red. The silhouette comes in two sizes, small and medium.
Our Highlight: The detachable chain strap and prominent horse-bit hardware allow you to style it as a shoulder bag or clutch.
Product Specs: Made of padded leather, this shoulder bag comes with two detachable straps, one in leather and one made from chain. It comes in six colorways with gold and silver hardware options. There are also three available sizes: mini, medium, and small.
Our Highlight: Released just last year, this shoulder bag is one of the most exciting styles to come out of Alexander McQueen. The quilting detail is meant to mimic the house monogram, making it all the more luxurious.
Product Specs: Made from nappa leather, this shoulder bag has a moveable chain strap that allows it to be styled in various ways. It is available in three colorways and two sizes: the larger "26" size and the petite "20" silhouette.
Our Highlight: Yes, Coach's iconic Tabby bag comes in a quilted version! And yes, you need it.
Reviewer Highlight: "'I'm so in love with this bag. It's perfect for every season! I've been eyeing it for a while, but it sold out when it first came out. Once Coach restocked it, I rushed to buy it!"
Photo:
@thevisuelofgrace; PICTURED: Chanel Patent Quilted Jumbo Double Flap Bag ($4510)
Product Specs: Made from chevron-quilted leather, this bag comes with two straps. Over the years, the iconic Chanel bag has been released in various colorways and five sizes: mini, small, vintage medium, large, and now, medium.
Our Highlight: One of the great things about this type of bag is that it retains value over time. So whether you choose to shop the style secondhand or brand-new, you can feel good about your purchase.
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather with tubular trim, this bag has an adjustable shoulder strap. It's currently only available in black and tan and a single size (10.75"W x 3.5"D x 6"H).
Our Highlight: Arguably one of the most popular silhouettes from JW Anderson, the bumper bag has been introduced in a quirky quilted leather iteration.
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this bag has a chain strap and prominent hardware. This comes in two sizes, but the small clutch (9" W x 5" H x 2.5" D) comes in four colorways.
Our Highlight: Nothing is more classic than a Burberry bag, in our humble opinion.
Reviewer Highlight: "I love this small clutch; it's perfect for a phone, lipstick, and a few other small things. I love the texture of the leather, too. Overall, it's a beautiful one and a must-have to your collection."
Product Specs: Made from quilted Nappa leather, this pouch bag comes in four colorways and one size (6.7" H x 10.2" W x 3.1" D).
Our Highlight: Elevate all your eveningwear looks with this elegant quilted clutch bag from Jimmy Choo.
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this bag can be styled as a crossbody bag. It's available in five colorways and two sizes: large and small.
Our Highlight: Demellier has become the destination to shop for well-made handbags at a contemporary price point.
Photo:
@louloudesaison; PICTURED: Miu Miu Wander Matelassé Nappa Leather Hobo Bag ($3850)
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this hobo bag comes in multiple colorways, including black, red, white, tan, and others. It's available in six sizes: micro, mini, small, medium, large, and maxi.
Our Highlight: Known for its matelassé quilting technique, Miu Miu's bags are arguably the most well-crafted quilted luxury bags on the market.
Product Specs: Made from quilted leather, this shoulder bag comes in five colorways. And three sizes: micro, medium, and small.
Our Highlight: You'll want to zoom in on the shoulder strap on this bag, as it consists of cubes comprised of the brand's logo.
Reviewer Highlight: "The pictures online don’t do it justice; this is a gorgeous bag!!! It is big enough to hold necessary items but small enough to be good for date nights and parties. Definitely recommend it!"
Product Specs: Made from quilted lambskin, this top handle bag comes with a detectable strap and prominent hardware. It comes in four colorways, including nude, white, red, and black. The silhouette comes in two sizes: the petite "22" version and the larger "23" bag.
Our Highlight: For those looking for a different option than the traditional shoulder bag, Balmain's Bbuzz handbag is a great choice.
Reviewer Highlight: "Unique shape and look —I absolutely love the top handle and soft lambskin leather. The bag has a timeless look."
Product Specs: Made from quilted goatskin, this shoulder bag comes in five colorways and a prominent metallic moniker. It comes in one medium size (9.4" W x 5.9" H x 2" D).
Our Highlight: If you're looking for the most classic version of this handbag that you can invest in, look no further than this Celine shoulder bag.
Product Specs: Made from puffy quilted leather, this shoulder bag features an anagram plaque and a detachable shoulder strap. It is available in eight colorways and two sizes: mini and medium.
Our Highlight: In true Loewe fashion, we've seen the house take something classic and make it all the more lovely with modern tweaks.