My First Designer Bag Was From Michael Kors—Here Are 5 I'd Buy as an Adult

Stroll down memory lane with me for a second. Can you remember your first designer handbag? What do you recall about it? No matter the shape or shade, chances are you've got pretty fond memories of that purse (for good reason). After all, people don't typically forget their first luxury purchase. Personally, I'd be nowhere near as obsessed with keeping up with handbag trends or investing in designer bags without my first. While I've had my fair share of "firsts" over the years, none have been as influential for me as my Michael Kors handbag. Thinking back, nothing is more heartwarming than the memory of going to Macy's with my dad to pick out a Michael Kors purse as a gift—for the record, I chose an oversize black top-handle bag with classic gold hardware.

Something about that moment shifted me, and I know I'm not alone in that experience. For many fashion people, one of their first luxury buying experiences can be attributed to this label. While other brands have been predicated on notions that high fashion should be exclusionary, Michael Kors has always been a maverick in making luxury attainable in our everyday lives. That aim is no more apparent than with the brand's foray into every realm of fashion, from ready-to-wear to footwear and even fragrances. But possibly the best example of how this brand has become a beacon of attainable luxury is the handbags. Unlike other designer labels, which have increased the price tags of their purses by over 27% in the past few years, Michael Kors remains one of the few brands where you can still find a quality leather handbag for under $500.

Of course, the brand still offers its fair share of high-end options, but overall, it remains one of the best places to buy a designer bag on a budget. Even with affordability out of the way, it can be hard to choose what bag is worth the investment. With so much experience with the brand over the years, I figured now is the perfect time to put my expertise to good use to determine the best Michael Kors bags. After weighing each purse's popularity, quality, versatility, and editor testimonials, I can safely say these five bags are great buys (whether it's your first designer purchase or not). Are you curious about what bag styles made the cut? Keep scrolling for a comprehensive deep dive into the brand's history, examples of how the style set is wearing the brand, and a list of the best Michael Kors bags.

A Quick Skim of the Best Michael Kors Bags

• Colby Shoulder Bag, debuted in 2024, price ranges from $198 to $498
• Lulu Satchel Bag, debuted in 2024, price ranges from $198 to $228
• Sonny Hobo Bag, debuted in 2024, priced around $358
• Ludlow Shoulder Bag, debuted in 2024, price ranges from $358 to $398
• Tribeca Shoulder Bag, debuted in 2024, price ranges from $198 to $698

About Michael Kors

Although many fashion people (myself included) may have fond memories of their first Michael Kors bag from adolescence, that doesn't mean this brand hasn't evolved over the years. One could argue that growth is one of the themes in the story of this fashion house. The brand has relatively humble beginnings, as it was founded by Michael David Kors in 1981 after he left his position as the first-ever creative director for women's ready-to-wear at Céline. At the time, no one would have guessed that the creative would choose to strike out on his own despite the commercial success of Céline during his tenure—yet Kors chose to do so to focus on growing his namesake label. It was a move that made sense eventually, as Kors's work over the years has made the brand one of the most successful American sportswear labels.

But what's made the brand so successful over the years? Admittedly, it doesn't hurt that the brand has built a massive fan base, including stars such as Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton, and Oprah Winfrey. Building that cult status among the celebrity set has undoubtedly helped the brand, but it happened in tandem with the rising star power of Kors himself. Not only did Kors manage to captivate the attention of the in crowd in fashion enough to secure multiple accolades—including the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Womenswear Designer of the Year, Menswear Designer of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement awards—but he became an icon in the broader culture, too. Although some may have become acquainted with him during his time as a starring judge on Project Runway, his true claim to fame has always been his work.

Let's be honest: Not everyone keeps up with reality television or red carpet appearances, but everyone likely has at some point seen a Michael Kors bag in the wild. It's the prevalence of the brand in our personal lives has made it particularly successful. When other fashion houses have rushed to increase their prices, Michael Kors has remained one of the few midrange luxury brands. That's especially true with the brand's handbag collections, which are broken up based on price point, material quality, and versatility. By offering every type of bag imaginable at every price point, the brand has been cemented as a status symbol for many shoppers, no matter how much they're willing to spend on a bag. But if you are wondering which bag styles are worth buying, you'll want to keep reading. Ahead, we're spotlighting the best Michael Kors bags, so without further ado, let's get into it.

1. Colby Shoulder Bag

Sizes: Extra Small (7.25” W X 4.5” H X 1.5” D), Small Clutch (11” W X 4.5 ”H X 1.5” D), Medium (10.5” W X 6.75” H X 2.75 ”D)

Material: Leather, crackled leather, burnished leather, shearling, suede/shearling, calf hair, grommets, and logo-print canvas with gold or silver hardware

Colorways: Black, dark red, white, bright red, green, tan, chocolate brown, leopard print, camo print, logo print

Style Notes: One of Michael Kors's newer styles, the Colby bag draws inspiration from the rectangular silhouette that dominated the '90s and '00s but gives it a few sleek twists. Most notably, the baguette boasts a fold-over flap embellished with a large buckle (available in gold and silver tones), two prominent front-facing pockets, and a spacious interior with an inside pocket too. The Colby Bag's compact shape makes it the perfect bag to carry from day to night.

Editor's Notes: One of the things I love most about Michael Kors's Colby bag is that its shape is small enough to sit comfortably on my shoulders but still has enough space to fit all the essentials I'd need—e.g., a phone, portable charger, wallet, keys, lipgloss, and other essentials. When I'm at a loss for what handbag to wear to meet friends for dinner, go to a concert, or just wear to a day at the office, the Colby Bag has come in to save the day. It's truly one of the best bags from the brand, hands down.

2. Lulu Satchel Bag

Size: 9.75” W X 5 ”H X 3 ”D

Material: Leather, logo print canvas, patent leather, and calf hair

Colorways: Black, tan, olive, orange, gold, silver, leopard print, and monogram print with gold and silver hardware

Style Notes: Another newly released bag style from Michael Kors, the Lulu Satchel, is one of the brand's more trend-forward options. It's characterized by its compact bowler-bag shape made from environmentally friendly leather that comes in over eight colorways and minimal gold and silver hardware. While the style doesn't come with a detachable crossbody strap, it does have a long top handle that allows it to be carried easily over the shoulder or by hand. At the same time, the interior is big enough to fit most smartphones, keys, and a cardholder.

Editor's Notes: Okay, I must confess that I don't own the Lulu Satchel (yet). However, as someone who's been lusting after the bag for a long time, I can safely say that it's something worth buying. In my mind, what makes this Michael Kors bag a compelling purchase goes back to the purse's bowler-inspired shape, which feels reminiscent of early '00s bag trends. For me, there's no safer investment than buying a bag that taps into current trends while still drawing inspiration from the past.

3. Sonny Hobo Bag

Size: 13.5" H x 16.8" W x 6" D

Material: Leather and suede

Colorways: Black, tan, and chocolate with gold hardware

Style Notes: Released early this year, the Sonny Hobo Bag taps into the boho-inspired bag trend we've begun to see dominate the runway. However, it's given a more sophisticated twist in true Michael Kors fashion through a semi-slouchy silhouette made from grained leather or supple suede adorned with a chunky chain on the shoulder strap. The style isn't as oversize as other carryall totes from the brand, but the interior is spacious enough to fit most laptops, a water bottle, and any other items you may need to take with you for the day.

Editor's Notes: While I don't personally own Michael Kors's Sonny Hobo Bag, I've owned my fair share of commuter totes from the brand. I can say without a doubt that this style will become your go-to bag for carrying all your work essentials, as its chic shape, cool hardware, and minimalist colorways make it easy to wear year-round. Plus, it's worth noting that I've worn Michael Kors leather tote bags for years, and they've always managed to hold up over time, no matter how much I throw them through the ringer.

4. Ludlow Shoulder Bag

Size: 1.75” W X 5.5” H X 3 ”D

Material: Leather and calf hair

Colorways: Black, red, tan, green, purple, snakeskin, and leopard print with gold and silver hardware

Style Notes: If you've been searching for a more structured shoulder bag, consider your quest finished. Debuted in 2024, Michael Kors's Ludlow Shoulder Bag features a sleek trapezoid silhouette made from supple leather adorned with minimal hardware (available in gold or silver). Its unique shape will make it a standout in your wardrobe.

Editor's Notes: As someone who obsessively follows handbag trends, I've been a super fan of the sharply angled sophisticated handbags we've seen populate the runway collections of brands such as Ferragamo, Prada, and Tory Burch. However, securing the trend has been inaccessible, as many geometric-inspired silhouettes have had steeper price points. Thankfully, Michael Kors's version is priced around $350, making the Ludlow bag one of the best ways to buy the trend.

5. Tribeca Shoulder Bag

Sizes: Small (9” W X 5” H X 2.5” D) and Large (10” W X 5.5 ”H X 3 ”D)

Material: Leather, sequins, and calf hair

Colorways: Black, red, purple, gold, silver, white, green, and logo print with gold and silver hardware

Style Notes: No matter the brand, there are some bag styles that you can always find at luxury houses—the quilted bag is one of them. But make no mistake; Michael Kors's iteration is a must-shop in its own right. Released recently, the Tribeca Shoulder Bag comes in multiple sizes, shades, textiles, and even price points—giving shoppers the ability to choose a version of this classic handbag that best suits their needs.

Editor's Notes: I've owned my fair share of quilted handbags over the years, but none have gotten as much usage as my Michael Kors Tribeca Shoulder Bag. Frankly, few handbags can check all the boxes to become a part of my daily rotation, but this one fits the bill perfectly. I love that the style has all of the fashionable elements you'd want from a designer bag—e.g., luxe quilted leather, an adjustable crossbody chain strap, and gold-lock hardware—but is still functional enough to fit everything I'd need to carry throughout the day. It's one of the few bags I can say I'll own for years to come without it being a hyperbole.

Shop More Noteworthy Michael Kors Bags

Hopefully, by now, you've benefited a little from my experience collecting Michael Kors bags over the years. But should you still need some parting wisdom, here's what to remember: The best bag to buy is the one that will bring you joy. Ultimately, this brand has so many great bag options that whatever Michael Kors bag you secure will indeed become something you look back with great fondness years from now. (I know that I do.)