The Considered Bag Guide
A designer's take on what makes a bag worth owning.
I’ve spent a lot of my career thinking about how things are made, and what goes into making something worth owning. I’ve designed bags and shoes for luxury houses, including Marc Jacobs, where every detail is scrutinized and quality is expected to be flawless. I’ve also designed for brands like Madewell, where the challenge is creating that same sense of integrity at a more accessible price point. That range of experience has given me a calibrated eye for quality—and just as importantly, for value.
I gravitate toward bags that age well, fit seamlessly into my life, and bring something distinct to my wardrobe through their silhouette, material, or functionality. And despite working in fashion for years, I’ve had my fair share of buyer’s remorse.
The bags I’ve regretted most were usually the ones I bought with my heart rather than my head: pieces that were too precious, too expensive, or simply impractical for how I actually live.
When the Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette first came out, I convinced myself I needed it. I imagined it as an investment piece I’d carry forever and eventually pass down to my daughter. In reality, it barely fit my essentials, the lambskin felt too delicate, and the closure quickly became more annoying than charming.
On the other hand, when I splurged on the Khaite Lotus bag in suede, I underestimated how much I would use it. The craftsmanship was beautiful, the materials felt exceptional, and the silhouette was distinctive without feeling trendy. Most importantly, it functioned exactly the way I needed it to. The proportions, shape, and quality all worked together effortlessly. (There are some good second-hand deals to be had now)
So while putting together this season’s bag edit, I kept coming back to the same question I ask myself before buying any bag: Is this something I’ll genuinely enjoy carrying for years?
I wanted to pull together a guide to identifying bags that are thoughtfully designed, well made, and built for real life—whether they cost $200 or $2,000.
Quality and Construction
A bag can be beautiful and still be poorly made. Construction is where quality reveals itself—although you often don’t notice it until something fails.
The first thing I look at is stitching. It should be clean, even, and consistent, especially around stress points like handles, corners, and gussets.
Then I check the edges. Thin painted edges often crack and peel over time. Folded or properly burnished edges tend to age much better and immediately make a bag feel more considered.
I also pay attention to structure. A well-made bag should hold its shape without feeling stiff or overly rigid.
The interior and lining can tell you a lot. Clean finishing, neatly sewn corners, and thoughtful pocket placement usually reveal how much care actually went into the craftsmanship.
Materials
Full-grain leather retains the natural surface of the hide and develops a beautiful patina over time. Real leather has a faint, slightly sweet, almost woody smell. Corrected-grain leather or bonded leather is sanded and coated for a more uniform appearance, smells chemical, and it rarely ages as well.
One of the easiest tells is texture. Good leather usually has natural variation. If it looks perfectly uniform and plasticky, it’s often been heavily processed.
Hardware is another giveaway — solid brass or nickel has actual heft and feels substantial in your hand while lightweight hardware tends to chip or tarnish quickly.
And zippers are one of the highest-use parts of any bag. I look for a metal zipper that feels smooth, sturdy, and made to last (YKK, Riri are top tier)
Considered Design Details and Features
The bags I’m drawn to rarely scream for attention. What I notice are the details that quietly make them easier to live with.
Pocket placement, openings, closures, and hardware all reveal whether the designer actually considered daily life.
Proportion — sometimes a bag technically looks good, but there might be something slightly off: the straps sit awkwardly, the proportions feel too wide or too short, or the scale doesn’t balance correctly on the body.
I desperately wanted the Loewe Pebble Bag. Every time I tried it on, though, the beautiful wide strap kept slipping off my shoulder. A small detail, but one that would have driven me crazy in real life.
How a Bag Actually Feels to Carry
I always think about how a bag feels on the body when it’s actually being used: walking around all day, sitting on the subway, digging for your keys while carrying a million other things. I prefer my larger bags to be comfortable, not too structured and rigid against my body, and that usually means that it’s crafted from a vegetable-tanned leather that feels slouchy rather than stiff.
Strap drop is a huge factor. I love a strap that is at least somewhat adjustable for when you’re wearing a heavy winter coat, or prefer carrying it under your shoulder rather than cross-body.
Weight matters too. If a bag already feels heavy when it’s empty, it’s going to become much more uncomfortable once you add a laptop, water bottle, makeup bag, chargers, and everything else we carry! I used to tolerate heavier leather bags if I loved how they looked but as I’ve gotten older (and wiser), I’ve embraced the fact that I’d rather feel comfortable moving through my day than carry something impractical just because it looks good.
And then there’s durability in real life. Some bags are too delicate for everyday use. I never want to feel precious about a bag or afraid of scratching it when I’m just trying to live my life.
What’s Actually Worth Paying For
I purchased this Trademark Leather Tote over a decade ago, and I know I’ll have it forever. The leather is a sturdy, vegetable tanned leather, with the most beautiful finishing. The way the logo is embossed, the little snap inside to allow the gingham fabric to snap in and out… Although the brand sadly no longer exists, you can still find some of their pieces on resale sites, a great way to score some high quality with a little less of that luxury markup.
Price and value are not the same thing—and nowhere is that more obvious than handbags. Some of the best-made bags I’ve seen aren’t the most expensive. And some very expensive bags are constructed in a fairly ordinary way. At the luxury level, you’re paying for materials, craftsmanship, heritage, and brand equity.
Suede Bags
I loved Trademark’s accessories, and since they are no longer, you can occasionally find their bags on resale sites, and the quality is superb.
This navy suede tote is made in NYC, from an Italian oiled suede. Spacious, slouchy, and perfect for everyday. It’s been touted as a great work bag, mom bag, carry-on bag.
Large zippered suede and leather shoulder bag features beautiful design details, refined hardware, and lots of interior functionality. I love the length of the padded shoulder strap, and the big zipper opening.
This suede bucket bag is simple, logo-less, and constructed beautifully, and it feels more luxury than the pricepoint.
I have this bag in a different color and highly recommend purchasing resale. The nicest refined suede quality, a leather base, just all around beautifully made.
Leather Bags
Large Leather Weekend Tote — I love the proportions, the thin tubular straps that are long enough to fit comfortably with and without a coat. Looks like luxury but at a much friendlier price. Made in Portugal of Italian leather.
Sleek croc embossed pouch — I love finding things like this on RealReal for almost nothing!
Woven Leather Tote — this brand makes the most beautiful woven leather accessories, and I can attest that their quality is unmatched.
Pebbled Leather Bucket Bag — this bag is well constructed with a full grain pebbled leather, finished edges, and is made to last.
Clutches
Soft Leather Pouch — I love how simple this bag is, and although I don’t own it, I’ve touched it many times and appreciate the gorgeous Italian lambskin leather and proportions. They make them in small batches in Italy. There is also a strap that can attach to the pouch if you want to convert it to a cross-body bag!
Tan Croco Embossed Clutch — this bag is chic and elevated but not too precious feeling, and it comes with a detachable shoulder strap, crafted in Spain.
Croc Leather Bag Organizer — fun fact: this piece is made in California, was designed in NY by yours truly, and features a microsuede lined interior with lots of pockets that are perfect for keeping your essentials. Can be carried as a clutch, or kept inside a larger bag for easy organizing.
Slim Leather Clutch with Magnetic Hardware detail — I love this brand’s beautiful leather goods and footwear, all made in Italy by independent artisans. The magnetic hardware piece is signature to the brand and has a satisfying feel when you open and close it. The leather is smooth, but perfect for day-to-night wear. It’s got some structure and is on the slimmer side, a good option for special occasions when you don’t need to carry too much.
Yellow Croc Clutch — this one features a pushlock clasp, and is made in Italy of Leather Working Group leather. It comes in so many colors. Perfect size that isn’t overwhelming.
Canvas Totes
Large Canvas Tote — in the black and white or the green stripe, it’s so hard to decide which one. Made from a sturdy canvas with webbing straps, oversized enough to fit all your summer essentials for the pool or beach or a picnic.
Natural and Tan Canvas Tote — these bags are made with the highest quality materials and is on sale here.
Red Tote with snaps — comes in so many sizes and colors and you can have it monogrammed. Crafted of sturdy canvas and webbing.
Two-toned Canvas Tote — comes in so many fun color combinations, has some fun added functional design details like the snap loop, the D-ring, and front pocket.
Novelty Fabric Totes
When it comes to novelty or seasonal bags, I use a slightly different lens. Those purchases tend to be driven more by emotion, texture, color, shine, or an unexpected material. Functionality matters a little less. There’s less of a need for durability since these bags aren’t workhorses. But even then, I still want pieces that feel intentionally designed, well made, and capable of lasting longer than a single season.
Silk Mini Tote Bag — I don’t think buying a bag like this for over $1000 makes sense for me, so I was thrilled when I came across this on Etsy!
Satin Bucket Bag — Chic and Functional and cool and priced so well.
Lace Tote — fun, emotional and also doesn’t break the bank.
Another amazing Satin Tote option that is budget friendly. Looks like it’s now sold out but keep your eye out. Here are their other styles that are available.
Fun and Special Occasion
Black Sequin Bag — this is such a fun bag for dressing up, or just paired with a tank and denim.
Small Pink Beaded Crossbody Bag — just so pretty and comes with a crossbody strap so you can be hands-free.
Beaded Bucket Bag — I have this from last Summer in a different color combination and love how the bold the stripes look. It’s a bit heavy but this is an exception for me since the emotional factor is so high!
Metal Bag — love how it moves. Not the most practical but not everything should be…
Pink and Red Striped Woven Bag — these colors are so joyful for Summer!
Satin Embroidered Pouch — another great Etsy find, and you can have your initials monogrammed, comes in lots of satin colors.
Leather and bead Pouch — I have this in black and love it so much as an alternative to an evening bag, but works just as well in the daytime. Sometimes I keep my essentials inside of it and pop it into my larger tote when I’m running errands, and take it out for drinks or dinner.
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Brilliant. Thank you for imparting us with your wisdom!!
As a fellow bag obsessed person, I just devoured this piece!!!