Once upon a time, a quality handbag bag meant one thing, and one thing only: leather. Now, the animal-derived fabric no longer necessarily represents the pinnacle of luxury goods.
In fact, there are plenty of excellent vegan designer brands that are making waves in the accessory market. For one, Los Angeles-based JW Pei has made a huge impression with its cult Gabbi shoulder bags, having been spotted on the likes of Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski.
Chloé secured their B-Corp certification in 2021, making them the first luxury brand to achieve the status. Since then, a number of brands have followed suit, including fashion favourites Ganni, Sézane and Faithfull the Brand.
Stella McCartney is a brand well known for their stance on sustainable fashion and pioneering to make the industry more eco-friendly. All of their handbags are 100% vegan, crafted from conscious materials that have the same feel and durability as leather, without actually having to use leather.
What are vegan handbags made from?
Vegan handbags are made from a variety of materials, with faux leather being one of the main alternatives. Most vegan leather is made from polyurethane, a polymer usually derived from petroleum.
Many brands are now experimenting with plant-derived alternatives, including 'leather' created from cactus, apple and pineapple waste.
How we chose the pieces:
- Style: Naturally, a super stylish bag silhouette is essential. When combing through the internet's top fashion sites for the best styles, we made sure that each of our picks were either bang on trend for AW24 or had a certain classic appeal for maximum wearability.
- Brand: All our picks are by designer labels, ranging from Stella McCartney to Mashu, and they're all suitable for vegans.
The Best Vegan Handbags To Shop Now:
Aphrodite 2 Bag
Mashu
Derived from their original Aphrodite bag, this is a smaller version. This Mashu bag is giving vintage glam with a contemporary twist. I love the warmth of the plated brass hardware contrasting against the soft pistachio hue.
Mini Bou Bag
Ganni
This satin iteration from Ganni is the newest update of their iconic Bou bag. This icy blue hue is making us feel ready for the colder months.
Bios Clutch Bag
Thermoiré
Glossy and luxe, this wine-hued clutch by Thermoirè feels categorically autumn-appropriate and taps into the biggest colour this season. The piece includes a detachable shoulder strap and the braided detailing adds a sense of texture.
Jana Hollow Out Shoulder Bag
JW PEI
Flashy and playful, JW Pei's 'Jana' piece is giving major party season vibes if you're looking to swerve the sparkle and instead lean into the metallics. The cut-out detailing feels contemporary and cool.
Origami Tote Large
Nanushka
With its contrasting panels and visible stitch detailing, Nanushka's Origami collection is the minimalist's idea of accessory heaven. The large version is the perfect piece to fit all of your essentials, and the tan and and cream tones makes it super wearable.
Small Ella Bio Tote
Tory Burch
This classic, boxy tote features Tory Burch's signature logo on the side. It's large handles allow it to be the perfect everyday tote and will fit a laptop up to 13" - can you find a chicer work bag?
Falabella Tiny Tote Bag
Stella McCartney
Sleek and versatile and derived from their signature Falabella range, this mini bag features the brands signature diamond-cut chain around the edge.
Why you should trust me:
Chloe Gallacher is H! Fashion’s Style Writer, with seven years of experience within the fashion journalism industry. I have a love for fashion and spotting upcoming trends, coveted pieces and scouring online for irresistible new-in finds. Finding luxe-looking pieces on the high street is my forte and I love finding those hidden gems that look so much more expensive than they are.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
