The British bag brands to have on your radar
Investing in a designer handbag tends to require a lot of research – and it should, you want to make sure you’re spending your money on one that will stand the test of time. Thankfully, we are here to help – whether you are looking for affordable bags, vintage finds, timeless designs or those which champion British heritage and design.
Below, we round up our favourite British designers whose handbag collections are always delivering. From kooky styles at JW Anderson to understated classics at Mulberry, these are the best British bag brands to know now – and our favourite designs of theirs to invest in. Prepare to wear them forever.
For more on the best designer handbags, head this way.
JW Anderson
JW Anderson makes some of the most covetable accessories around with a number of cult hits under its belt, and plenty of viral tongue-in-cheek designs. Some of the brand’s most popular styles include the Bumper and the Twister, both of which come in various bright colours.
Meanwhile, Anderson’s bird-inspired designs are fashion-industry favourites – this includes the Pigeon and the Puffin clutch bags (the former of which was seen on Carrie Bradshaw in the most recent season of And Just Like That…). If you’re in the market for something more practical though, JW Anderson has plenty of shoppers and large bags, including its Belt Tote, which is embroidered with the brand’s logo (and pretty much every fashion editor carries it to work).
Mulberry
This Somerset-based brand is one of the British fashion industry’s favourites, known for its exquisite craftsmanship and classic designs. Boasting a legion of famous fans (including the Princess of Wales and Alexa Chung), Mulberry is a great destination if you’re looking to invest in something timeless, and oh so British.
One of the brand’s most popular and well-known designs is the Bayswater, which had its heyday in the Noughties, but has recently enjoyed a renaissance, and is a great size for your day to day. Another popular style is the Alexa, which was launched in collaboration with Chung in 2010, and has remained one of Mulberry’s best-selling designs to date. It even featured in a V&A fashion exhibition, and was re-released in 2020 as part of the brand’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Most recently, Mulberry has been teaming up with exciting up-and-coming designers, including Priya Ahluwalia, Richard Malone and Nicholas Daley on one-off designs. And this September, it will launch a collection with Rejina Pyo, which will no doubt be a sell-out. Look out for these special collections, and all Mulberry designs, on resale sites, and on Mulberry’s very own ‘pre-loved’ section.
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Alexander McQueen
A brand that needs no introduction and one that is beloved for its accessories is Alexander McQueen. The house – which recently came under the creative direction of Sean McGirr when Sarah Burton stepped down after 14 years at the helm – has continued, for decades, to make a splash with its punky accessories.
Recent favourites include the Sling and the Cross-Bar bags, which both make great day-to-day wardrobe additions. Another popular design in recent years is the Jewelled Hobo, complete with the brand’s trademark skull knuckle duster at its clasp. It comes in various sizes, the smallest of which works great as a crossbody.
The brand also put a new spin on the bucket bag with its Curve design, while anything with the classic McQueen skull hardware makes a great investment (whether new or vintage).
Burberry
Britain’s biggest luxury fashion house of course makes some incredible handbags, many of which tap into Burberry’s distinctive heritage. Under Daniel Lee’s recent direction, the house has produced a number of hits that embrace the Burberry check in inventive ways – this includes the Peg Duffle and the Check Bowling Bag.
If you’re a logo lover, look to the house’s selection of branded totes (we particularly love the Freya) – and for more low-key designs, the Knight bag and the Rocking Horse are instant classics.
After something from an earlier era? The Monogram Backpack was one of the accessories to define Christopher Bailey’s time at the house, while the DK88 is still a super popular style on resale sites.
DeMellier
DeMellier is perhaps lesser known compared with some of the big British fashion houses in this edit, but it is a brand you should certainly have on your radar if you value exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful handbags.
Launched in 2010 by Mireia Llusia-Lindh (who cut her teeth working at Burberry and LVMH), the ethos of the label is all about mixing the modern with the traditional, and it has resulted in a number of cult designs that are loved by royalty (both Kate and Meghan own several DeMellier bags).
We love the New York and the Tokyo for workwear options (both come in various sizes, in leather and suede), while the Paris and the Montreal are excellent small bags if you’re after something more compact.
