I'm on a Budget–31 Expensive-Looking Spring Bags Under $100
If you know me then you know handbags are my main wardrobe vice. Mid-size shoulder bags are unmatched in my closet and I feel like I have a great handle on them (no pun intended) because trust me, I’ve tried a lot. When it comes to a bag–albeit a great investment piece and one I will stand by as one to spend your money on when you find a designer one you really love–but otherwise, I think it’s fun to have affordable options in your closet to supplement.
Since the bag market is so saturated, it can be difficult to sift through which ones to spend on as it may not look as expensive in person as it does online. When choosing a cheaper bag, it’s better to opt for one without hardware, a patent finish, or a stamped texture. Sticking to neutrals, faux suedes and leathers, and classic silhouettes is a surefire way to get a steal on a bag that looks much more pricey than it is.
I’ve taken my expertise (or at least my experimentation) to find the best under-$100 bags on the internet. Shop below to add a guilt-free purchase to your handbag wardrobe.
A structural shoulder bag you'll reach for every day.
Reminiscent of a classic Chloé crossbody bag, but for a fraction of the price.
The contrast piping on this bag makes it extra chic.
Vintage-looking hardware makes this baguette bag look very expensive.
The contrast stitching on this crossbody bag adds a luxurious feel.
An ombré illusion creates an lavish exterior on this simple shoulder bag.
Logo bags with early aughts' details feel like a pricey vintage find.
This is the type of hardware that feels expensive on an affordable bag.
The shape of this faux leather bag makes it look like a runway piece.
Luxe camel leather would have me guessing a much higher price on this clutch bag.
Keep it clean and simple with a hardware-free black crossbody.
A monochromatic hue and elevated details take this $20 bag to the next level.
The detailed exterior feels intentional for this green crossbody bag.
A little black bucket bag is a great addition to your bag wardrobe, and for only $32.
Next: I Scrolled for Hours, But Finding These 99 Items Under $99 Was Worth It
Copelyn is a freelance fashion and accessory editor. She formerly worked for Who What Wear as an associate shopping editor and is based in New York City. She writes about fashion and accessory trends in addition to creating original content. Before her time at Who What Wear, Copelyn was at Bustle Digital Group, working on the accessory market for cover shoots and fashion features across Nylon, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Romper, and Elite Daily. Copelyn also previously worked at InStyle and Cosmopolitan in the fashion and accessory departments on shopping and fashion market. Copelyn has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her spare time, Copelyn freelances in graphic and web design in the fashion-and-lifestyle space. She also loves to upcycle clothing and home décor as well as collect an embarrassing number of colorful sneakers and experiment with her hair color.
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