Tory Burch's Popularity Has Soared, But These 7 Bags Have Always Been *It*

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@annabelrosendahl; @lefevrediary; @gosiaboy; @mariaalia; @vivian.yrl; @livvperez; @cocobassey; @himichelleli; @anaasaber

If you, at any point in time, have been a fan of Tory Burch, let's walk down memory lane for a moment. Think back to the first thing you ever wanted from the brand. Did you, by chance, beg your parents to buy you those ballet flats—the ubiquitous round-toe shoes with the metal monogram hardware? Or maybe you were vying to get your hands on one of the buzzy belts? No matter what was on your wish list, there's no denying that Tory Burch has created some of the most coveted items of our generation. It's a fact that flies in the face of the historically narrow vision many people in the industry have held about what this brand offers—it's been typecast as a luxury label that only provides preppy apparel for the old-money crowd. However, the truth is that Tory Burch offers so much, and it seems that people are finally recognizing it.

In the past three seasons, we've seen the brand's popularity surge—partly due to the high praise from industry insiders at The New York Times and The Washington Post. And while it's no doubt delightful to see the brand getting its well-deserved dues, we have to set the record straight: Tory Burch has always been popular. For those of us who have cherished Tory Burch's collections since adolescence, we've always known that this brand is it. That's not to say that it hasn't gotten praise from high-up places over the years—Tory Burch won the CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year award in 2008, in addition to the constant cultural fervor surrounding the brand. What we're saying is that those who have been Tory Burch stans from the beginning have never slept on this brand—especially its handbags.

Long before the brand went viral, those in the know were well aware that Tory Burch offered some of the best luxury bags on the market. But what exactly makes them so good still to this day? In an effort to answer that question, we're digging deeper to share a bit about the brand's history and why you should be shopping from the brand. Plus, we rounded up the seven best Tory Burch bags based on functionality, popularity, and longevity to prove our point. Fair warning: You might find the next item you covet from Tory Burch ahead. 

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Launchmetrics Spotlight

In a few months, the Tory Burch brand will celebrate its 20th anniversary. It's incredible to reflect on how much the label has evolved since it was founded in 2004. In that time, the Pennsylvania-born designer has not only managed to build an empire estimated to be worth $1.5 billion but also carved out a space of her own in a crowded field. The brand's success isn't something to be taken lightly considering how many challenges arise for women starting their businesses, much less privately held ones, in the fashion industry. That fact isn't lost on Burch, as throughout her career, she's committed herself to making sure she helps fellow entrepreneurs in the fashion space and beyond through the Tory Burch Foundation, which she launched in 2009 to help small, female-founded, and BIPOC-founded businesses receive loans and resources. Unlike other leaders paying lip service to changing things, Burch has always been about doing the work.

That drive has, in many ways, been the force behind not only her charity work but also the brand's recent "renaissance." You see, Burch has long held the titles of creative director and CEO, but when her husband, Pierre-Yves Roussel, joined the team in 2019, she could shift her focus entirely to the collections. As we said earlier, Burch puts in the work, and her larger hand in recent ready-to-wear collections has not gone unnoticed. Lyst reported that searches for the brand increased by 15% in 2023, proving that Tory Burch is more popular than ever before. But the item that's seen the most buzz isn't the trendy ballet flats or even ready-to-wear looks that lit up social media—it's the bags. For so many, Tory Burch's bags encapsulate what this brand is all about: adapting classic staples for contemporary life. It's really no surprise that we've seen the brand's bags blow up, but if you are wondering which styles are worth buying, you'll want to keep reading. Ahead, we're spotlighting the best Tory Burch bags, so without further ado, let's get into it.

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@himichelleli; PICTURED: @fridacashflow

When it comes to bags that speak to the house's ability to strike the perfect balance with accessories, none do so quite as much as the Tory Burch Bon Bon Mini Bag. Released in the Pre-Fall 2023 collection, the style gives the classic handbag silhouette a contemporary spin by playing with proportion, colors, and hardware. It's the ideal purchase for those looking for a bag that's both functional and fun. 

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@alyssainthecity; @livvperez; @annabelrosendahl

While the buzz surrounding the brand's bags may seem new, don't get it twisted. Throughout the history of this house, there have been numerous styles that have managed to reach cult status. The Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Bag is chief among them. Since its debut on the F/W 18 runway, the style has remained a mainstay in the brand's bag offering and is coveted by collectors everywhere. What's made it relevant for so long is the innate timelessness of the bag. It's been reimagined into various sizes, silhouettes, and textiles over the seasons but always features the signature belted strap hardware, ensuring that it will always be a solid long-term investment no matter what version of this bag you buy. 

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@lefevrediary

If you wanted further proof that Tory Burch has long been the purveyor of posh purses, look to the Fleming Bag series. Released in the brand's S/S 18 collection, this bag is characterized by its soft leather fabrication covered in pin tucks that create a diamond pattern and is adorned with a bombé moniker. Over the years, the Fleming bag has been reimagined by the house to come in various silhouettes, including a classic flap shoulder bag, barrel bag, tote bag, and crescent bag—making it one of the easiest styles to incorporate into any wardrobe. 

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@mariaalia; @vivian.yrl; @anaasaber

For those shoppers looking for a bag that melds functionality and fashion, there's no better item to buy than Tory Burch's Eleanor Bag. First debuted on the F/W 20 runway, this silhouette draws inspiration from the traditional box bag but has been given a modern upgrade thanks to the curved edges, sculptural hardware, and vibrant colorways. If that weren't enough to sell you, the more useful elements of the bag should, as they feature a spacious interior with multiple pockets and enough space to fit an iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Note 20. In addition, it has an adjustable strap that allows you to carry the bag easily as a shoulder or crossbody, depending on your needs. Basically, this bag has it all.

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@valerialipovetsky

Despite being released in 2008, Tory Burch's Ella Tote Bag has continued to be one of the brand's best-selling bags. Just recently, Lyst reported that this style was the most-searched item from the brand in 2023, which makes sense once you get a closer look at the bag. The Ella Tote's popularity is a no-brainer because its oversize silhouette and prominent logo make it the perfect everyday carryall. But what truly makes it unique are the various adaptations made to the style over the years. We've seen adaptations that play with the bag's size, the hardware, and even textiles—for the latter, the bag has been fashioned from recycled nylon, woven raffia, and even innovative alternative leathers. It's the innate wearability and versatility of the bag that's made its appeal long-lasting. 

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@gosiaboy; @cocobassey; @endlesslyloveclub

While it's true that almost every luxury house has a jacquard handbag style that features its logo prominently, none has that special "touch" that's signature to Tory Burch bags. We saw the house release its first version of the Tory Burch T Monogram Bag in its S/S 21 collection—it came in the form of a '70s-inspired shoulder bag. Since then, the series has expanded to include various colorways, textiles, and bag shapes. You can shop the monogram bag not only in multiple colors (including black, ivory, cherry, and almond) but also in every silhouette under the sun—bucket bags, barrel bags, tote bags, baguettes, crescent bags, and so on. It's the brand's continuous attention to detail in transforming the monogram print that makes it a must-have for collectors. 

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Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Lastly, we'd be remiss if we did not mention the Tory Burch Kira Bag. Released in 2021, the bag is arguably one of the brand's most timeless designs. Characterized by its compact flap shoulder bag silhouette, the style often uses quilting to make various textiles feel more luxurious—e.g., bags made from textured leather or soft velvet. In addition to playing with texture, the style allows consumers to play with proportions and styling. The Kira Bag comes in multiple sizes and features an adjustable strap, allowing it to transition from day to night effortlessly. The bag is a prime example of how the brand has always managed to make classic items feel 10 times cooler. 

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Launchmetrics Spotlight

By now, you've hopefully concluded that Tory Burch's popularity isn't unfounded—even if we're only talking about the brand's purses! With such a focus on offering bags that bridge the gap between function and fashion with a capital "F" (or, in this case, a "T"), it's no wonder the brand is so beloved by many. Sure, Tory Burch may be having a "moment" among the fashion crowd, but we know that the appeal of its accessories will long outlast this moment.