This winter (and soon-to-be new year!), chic city girls from all over are trading their trendy It bags in favor of quietly luxurious, minimalist bags from brands like The Row and Khaite to Cos and Mango. As temperatures only continue to drop, follow suit and stick to a solid foundation of wardrobe essentials, beginning with a timeless tote (or two!).
Vogue’s Must-Have Minimalist Handbag Edit:
- The It Item: Alaïa Le Teckel textured-leather tote, $2,350
- The Little Black Bag: Staud Alec bag, $350
- The Timeless Option: Madewell top-handle crossbody bag, $178
- The Burgundy Beauty: Studio Amelia Audrey shoulder bag, $470
- The Supermodel Staple: St. Agni ‘90s petit shoulder bag, $209
- The Ladylike Handbag: Savette Symmetry Pochette suede tote, $1,335
- The Everyday Essential: DeMellier New York medium textured-leather tote, $595
- The Winter White: The Row India 12.00 bag, $4,050
- The Chic Clutch: Loewe medium Flamenco clutch, $2,850
- The Sultry Suede Style: Reformation medium Patrizia bag, $448
- The East-West: Fréja Mercer bag, $298
As seen on our favorite celebs (hi, Jennifer Lawrence and Kendall Jenner), plus the street style scene, a sleek bag has both the power and potential to elevate any outfit. You can throw one over your shoulder with a classic white T-shirt and jeans or pair it with a timeless trench coat and expect sartorial success every time.
On the more splurge side of things, The Row’s roster of minimalist handbags just keeps getting better. Below, our favorites include a ladylike top-handle bag in winter white to its signature Park tote in black. Take styling cues from the Olsen twins, the design duo behind the brand, and wear yours with a cozy cashmere crewneck, roomy leather bomber jacket, and a pair of relaxed tailored trousers.
We could never resist a twist on the classics, either. Examples include elegant east-west bags from Freja, Cos, and Alaïa to unexpected, yet welcome textural takes from Khaite, Ferragamo, and even Cuyana. Meanwhile, burgundy beauties from Aesther Ekme and Studio Amelia and chic chocolate brown choices from Savettte and Loewe are the only color-pops we’re interested in this winter. That, and Loro Piana’s toffee-colored tote, of course. Sumptuous suede styles also remain high on the list—think Gap’s slouchy shoulder bag to Elleme’s bowling-bag shape (a top-trending handbag silhouette to keep your eye—and shopping cart!—on for the season ahead.)
Finally, no minimalist bag roundup could be complete without a mention (or two) of St. Agni, an Aussie-based brand taking up major real estate in our capsule wardrobes. The best part? Several of their most coveted It bags check out for under-$300. Here’s to raising the bar on stylish essentials this new year, starting strong with one of the below stunningly simple handbags. Here, shop 50+minimalist bags that are forever stylish and perfectly practical.
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The under $350 edit: Freja Mercer bag, $298
Craft the chicest minimalist handbag collection—all for under $350. From covetable contemporary brands like St. Agni, Staud, and Freja to high-street favorites, a new handbag doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you gravitate towards slouchy styles, suede stunners, or the darling LBBs (little black bags!), the below affordable handbag sampling has a little something for everyone.
Available at Freja.
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Source unknown triangular Boston tote, $212
Available at Source unknown
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& Other Stories paneled leather bag, $229
Available at & Other Stories
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WE-AR4 The Flight Leather Top-Handle Bag, $295
Available at Bergdorf Goodman
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Massimo Dutti crackled nappa leather satchel, $280
Available at Massimo Dutti
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More Minimalist Handbags (At Every Price): Toteme T-Lock textured-leather shoulder bag, $1,390
Interested in the quiet luxury look? From The Row and Loewe to Alaïa and Khaite, these minimalist handbags are the ultimate (subtle) status symbol. Highlights include Savette’s top-handle tote in a chic chocolate color, Toteme’s effortlessly chic crossbody, Balenciaga’s double-buckle Rodeo bag, and burgundy beauties from Studio Amelia to Aesther Ekme that provide simple, yet effective color pops no self-proclaimed minimalist refuse. One thing is for sure: these silhouettes master understated elegance with ease.
Available at SSENSE
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ALAÏA Le Teckel textured-leather tote, $2,350
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Stella McCartney Stella Ryder embellished textured vegan leather tote, $1,650
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Neous Bellatrix suede & leather tote bag, $1,350
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue
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SAINT LAURENT Manhattan small leather shoulder bag, $3,000
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Khaite Cate calfskin leather top-handle bag, $4,800
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Savette Symmetry Pochette suede tote, $1,335
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Jil Sander Goji Pillow textured leather shoulder bag, $2,750
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Bottega Veneta small Pinacoteca bag, $3500
Available at Bottega Veneta
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MÉTIER Parallel 22 leather shoulder bag, $2,423
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Loro Piana Loom 32 grained leather top-handle bag, $4,700
Available at Loro Piana
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Tory Burch Mercer croc-embossed leather satchel, $1,198
Available at Tory Burch
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Demellier New York medium textured-leather tote, $595
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Ferragamo Hug small embellished pony hair shoulder bag, $2,469
Available at Net-A-Porter
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Mansur Gavriel Fortuna leather shoulder bag
Available at Saks fifth Avenue
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ATP Atelier Noale black grained leather top-handle bag, $1,100
Available at ATP Atelier
