Our Guide to the Best Designer Handbags of 2021
Thinking about investing in a designer handbag this year? Here at Vestiaire Collective, we’ve put together our very own guide of the top labels to shop in 2021. Making the list this year is a diverse group of lesser-known but ultra-cool brands driven by values that the Fashion Activist can feel totally confident to support. And, pre-loved styles from these established and rising fashion houses have a high 30-day sale through rate (STR). This figure is calculated based on the speed that these items sell in 30 days, since they are deposited on Vestiaire Collective. The higher the percentage, the faster the sale. Promising resale statistics, combined with distinctive design appeal, make these bags the perfect choice for sporting now, and selling later.
Here are the ten handbag designers we’ve got our eyes on for 2021...
Okhtein
Architectural shapes and baroque embellishments are the hallmarks of an Okhtein bag by Egyptian design duo and siblings Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf. The two sisters launched Okhtein (Arabic for ‘sisters’) in 2014, working with local artisans in Cairo to create eye-catching accessories that highlight traditional Middle Eastern craftsmanship. Fans include the goddess of song, style and pretty much everything grand: Beyoncé, as well as American model and actress, Olivia Culpo. With 30-day sales through rate of +83%, your Okhtein piece can work its magic for your wardrobe now, and then be passed on to another fashionista whenever you decide the time is right.
Kassl Editions
What Okhtein does for ornate fantasy, Kassl Editions does for pared down minimalism. The house was formed in 2018 by a European group of designers with a mission to craft high-quality bags that transcend the fashion calendar, trends and gendered style. The result? Super desirable ‘Pillow’ bags crafted from leather, wool or velvet — much of which is made from deadstock textiles from leading fashion factories. We fell in love with Kassl Editions bags because they are practical, easy to style and gentle on the planet. And, they come at a great price. They’re available in a broad range of colour options and sizes, from the XL tote to the Slim shoulder bag, and with an +82% 30-day STR, they’re one of the best picks for their resale potential.
Misbhv
The counterculture styles coming out of Polish fashion house, Misbhv, are definitely our cup of tea...and we’re not alone. Rihanna has been known to appear on stage in the brand’s logo emblazoned designs, which pretty much seals their status as a top label to know. Misbhv bags are all unisex and embody the fashion house’s signature edge with handheld, crossbody and belt bag designs embellished with industrial silver-tone hardware. Small and sleek, these bags can be styled for daytime or evening and are especially suited for the underground club scene (when that becomes a thing again...). Don’t hesitate if you fall for a Misbhv bag and want to make it yours. They’re showing +77% 30-day sales through rate, so you can feel confident that your purchase will have a second life if you ever want to sell.
Polène
The simple elegance of a Polène bag is what draws us to this emerging Parisian leather goods brand. With a 30-day sales through rate of +74%, and rising, we can also attest to the investment worthiness of this refined label. Family owned and founded by the Mothay siblings Mathieu, Antoine and Elsa, Polène is named after their childhood country home in Normandy. Balancing fluid and graceful lines with the finest leathers and traditional Spanish craftsmanship, the Mothay trio breathes modern design and classic French ‘chic’ into every single piece. These bags are available in a multitude of shapes and colours, so there is truly a Polène piece for every occasion. When it comes to trans-seasonal and budget-friendly fashion staples, these are among the bags we are eyeing at the moment.
ATP Atelier
ATP Atelier has been on a mission to align their native Swedish aesthetic with traditional Italian craftsmanship since 2011, and the world has been paying attention. These handbags hold a special place in our hearts because not only are they ultra-slick for a polished everyday look, but they’re also made from sustainably treated leathers and produced in Italy in limited quantities to avoid waste — a major plus for the Fashion Activist. Available in a range of gorgeous shapes, soft hues and practical sizes, the ATP Atelier handbag line possesses an elegant quality that is hard to overstate. And with a +72% 30-day sales through rate in the Vestiaire Collective community, these bags are clearly in demand.
Telfar
When it comes to pre-loved luxury bag brands, no list would be complete without the genderless fashion house, Telfar. The mainstay monogram Shopping Bag by New York designer Telfar Clemens is instantly recognisable and has been coined the ‘Bushwick Birkin’ because it can be spotted everywhere in Brooklyn’s Millennial and Gen Z hideouts. And it's currently pulling a +70% 30-day STR on Vestiaire Collective. What does that mean for you? Telfar bags are a healthy investment. Coming in three distinct sizes and a veritable rainbow of colour options, the Telfar Shopping Bag is a piece that adapts so easily to different outfits, you rarely have to change bags...unless that’s your thing, in which case, we completely support you! Celebrity fans like American Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio Cortez (AOC) and Dua Lipa are making these handbags fly off the digital shelves.
Totême
If you can’t get enough of that Scandi style, there’s another brand you should definitely keep your eye on and that’s Totême. Their signature T-Clutch is a piece that you’ll probably never want to let out of your sight — much less your closet — but just in case you ever do, it’s performing at a +67% 30-day STR on Vestiaire Collective. Founded in Stockholm in 2014 by Elin Kling and Karl Lindman, Totême is built around a pared down and distinctive uniform for women and every piece is designed to last through many seasons. Any bag from Totême is a bag you can rely on throughout 2021 and beyond.
Dragon Diffusion
What is it about the Dragon Diffusion tote bag that makes it so irresistible? For one thing, each season brings new shapes, colours and sizes of their beautiful woven leather designs. Luckily, Vestiaire Collective’s 30-day sales through rate on these beauties is at +66%, so whenever you’re ready to sell and upgrade to the latest style, we’ve got your back. Dragon Diffusion has been around since 1985, but the brand has been gaining visibility recently thanks to fashionista fans like Ashley Olson. Crafted by artisans in India using traditional techniques, these bags soften and take on a beautiful patina as time goes by. They offer a chic finish to any look, and they truly increase in character with age.
Coperni
Coperni is one of our favourites for their clever sense of design. The Parisian label, founded in 2013 by former fashion schoolmates Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, was a finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2015 and has made waves in the global fashion scene ever since. For their handbag collection, the designers are capitalising on the nano bag trend with their tiny handheld Mini Swipe Bag and the head turning Padded Wifi Bag. Each piece is crafted from beautiful Italian leather in sculptural shapes that are shaking things up on Instagram. The 30-day sales through rate for Coperni bags on Vestiaire Collective is at a robust +65%, meaning that these elegant designs are an easy pick for savouring now and selling later.
Rouje
Last but certainly not least, there’s Rouje. Born in Paris in 2016, this budding brand by Creative Director and French ‘It Girl’, Jeanne Damas, has become the go-to for seekers of that inimitable boho chic that only Parisiennes are capable of creating. Rouje bags have a vintage vibe that makes them totally timeless and a top pick if you’re after a staple style to carry every day. To quote the designer, Rouje collections are for ‘free-spirited and independent women of all ages.’ Handbags from Rouje are a clever investment piece since they have a +64% 30-day sales through rate. If there’s a downside to making one yours today, we can’t think of one.
Fashion Activism is all about aligning your wardrobe with your values and these ten brands are serving up some of the most inspiring and refreshing collections. From Egypt to Scandinavia, and Brooklyn to Paris, these designers are charting new territory in the world of fashion through their inventive sense of style, their commitment to the finest quality and their missions to ensure sustainable practices that preserve the planet’s precious resources. Their high 30-day sales through rates clearly show that these are the brands to look out for in 2021.
There’s no question that style has taken on a whole new dimension lately. But even if you’re not getting the most out of your closet right now, there is at least one guaranteed way to keep your fashion knowledge working for you, and that’s through your choice of handbag. We’re living in a moment when events are cancelled and parties are sparse, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to reinvent your wardrobe. And maybe even take a cue from the illustrious Emma Watson who said, ‘As consumers, we have so much power to change the world just by being careful in what we buy.’
At Vestiaire Collective, we help you dress and think more sustainably by offering you luxury pieces that promise longevity. That is exactly what you’ll find when you shop our selection of pre-loved accessories.