The #1 Feature That Makes Handbags Look Cheap

We've covered how to spot cheap shoes and skinny jeans from a mile away, but next up is perhaps the most cringeworthy when cheap-looking: handbags. There's something about a blatantly cheap handbag that instantly ruins an outfit. Your bag is one of the first things that people notice, so you want to put your best foot forward, right?

Per usual, to get to the bottom of exactly what it is that makes handbags look cheap, we reached out to an expert on the subject. This time, we consulted Paulina Liffner von Sydow of Little Liffner. The Stockholm-based brand launched in 2012 and has since risen in popularity. It can now be found among the Gucci and Chloé bags on Net-a-Porter. The brand prides itself in designing refined, wallet-friendly bags with a playful twist. We're pretty much obsessed with every gorgeous style.

On the subject of exactly what it is that makes a handbag look cheap, Liffner von Sydow divulged, "Too much shiny hardware and chains that don't have the right weight in the hand definitely make a bag look and feel cheaper to me." We completely agree that excessive hardware cheapens a bag in one fell swoop; minimal hardware is the way to go.

Liffner von Sydow also filled us in on what to look for when shopping for an expensive-looking bag. "Materials are key when it comes to creating a luxurious look and feel," she notes. "If the leather is beautiful, you're halfway there!" So now that you know what type of handbag to steer clear of, go on to shop expensive-looking handbags in a range of price points.