Handbags: Some of the best brands to consider

Handbags have much more to offer than one might think. These accessories perform both the functional and decorative roles of storing essentials while adding a touch of sexiness, style and class to any ensemble. And they’re pretty.

This particular accessory has a short history of a little more than a century, but their evolution is what makes them so fascinating. The market’s ever-changing needs can be met with the latest styles, features and sizes. Handbags are not just women’s bags. In the early days of travel bags for women, bags resembled luggage, but were smaller, hand-held and designed for carrying.

Today, women dominate the market for handbags, with an increasing preference for practical and adventurous styles such as cross-body bags and backpacks. Consumers strive to wear casual clothes while errand-running, eating brunch or walking their dogs, demonstrating the evolution of fashion into athleisure.

Whatever the circumstances, handbags continue to be a favourite accessory, and luxury bags hold a special appeal. Here are a few of the most popular high-end brands.

Chanel

The company’s house fragrance is almost unmistakable, and it evokes reflections of pearls, black and sensual romance. Founded in 1910 on Rue Cambon in Paris, Chanel began as a hat shop. Later, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel began producing clothing that was sold in boutiques in Biarritz and Deauville.

She is known for contributing the women’s suit, costume jewellery and the little black dress to popular fashion – essentially what comes to mind when one thinks of Audrey Hepburn! Chanel, who rose to fame for her love of lambskin and caviar, was known for pushing women’s fashion forward.

Chanel’s handbags are a refined and chic collection made from high-quality fabrics such as shearling, with modern lettering and elaborate sequins. There are many bags in the collection that are compact and although they don’t offer a lot of space, are packed with style. Every bag for this brand features a unique feature, such as pearls, cute pinks or tweed.

The timeless line also includes smart clothing, perfume, watches and jewellery that is sought after by many women at some point in their lives.

Louis Vuitton 

Those who read this list of best handbag brands are certainly familiar with the iconic standout Louis Vuitton bags. The brand was founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton, who lives in Paris.

Luxurious, high-quality and widely admired, Louis Vuitton has long been known for its leather goods, handbags, watches and accessories. This is a collection of handbags that includes classic styles and a few fun prints, such as architecture and coins, plus a lot of black and gold.

With more than 400 designs available, the brand’s handbags may have updated designs but remain true to their traditional history. People usually choose Louis Vuitton for its amazing looks and its established clout in the industry.

Gucci

Italian luggage manufacturer Gucci launched its operations in Florence, Tuscany in 1921. The popularity of the Gucci brand skyrocketed after Aldo Gucci took control.

Gucci is part of the Kering group of brands, which also manages apparel and jewellery. It is not unusual to see Gucci’s collections co-designed with relevant celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, but the collection was made to appeal to Gen Z and still maintains the high standards that Gucci is known for. Michele has made Gucci a household name in the fashion world.

The company’s pants and sweaters offer sleek lines, supple leather, chains and pops of colour for trendsetters. The Gucci collection is at the top of the list of the handbag brands, popular because of their diverse materials, striking colours and smooth shapes.

Dior

There’s a slight edge to Dior’s classic cuts, exemplified by chic handbags in cheetah prints and mini tennis dresses with prints, as well as punk-chic ankle boots. Grace Kelly and Princess Diana were some of the most elegant and wealthy figures who wore Dior, so this fashion house is no stranger to royalty.

Since the 1950s, when it introduced voluminous dresses to traditionally streamlined looks, Dior has been considered one of the most influential fashion brands. Even though this new-age volume was shocking in the mid-20^th century, it is what ultimately made the designer popular. Fashion today continues to be influenced by his style when it comes to tight waistlines, flouncy skirts and bold prints. Through his designs, Dior’s passion and eccentricity were evident.

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