6 purses to buy if you don't want to carry the same luxury bag everyone else has

Business Insider

16-07-2025

Designer purses from Miu Miu, Dior, and The Row have been everywhere this year.
If you want to stand out, though, brands like Alaïa and Ralph Lauren have alternative options.
You might also want to consider Chloé and Schiaparelli, which make statement pieces.
Like clockwork, a new batch of designer purses rises to the top of the fashion world every year.
In 2025, "it bag" contenders include rectangle designs from Miu Miu, shopping totes from The Row, and, of course, new variations of Dior's famed saddle bag.
It's understandable, though, that some people want their purses to stand out from the rest. If you're one of them, here are some options that are equally luxe but slightly more distinct.
Everyone is into raffia this year, but other textures are just as stunning.
Raffia, a natural fiber made from the leaves of raffia palm trees, looks great on summer bags. That's why woven totes from Loewe, Sézane, and other designers are everywhere this season.
Other materials, though, translate better all year round.
The braided Le Click bag from Alaïa is just one example. It's crafted with black leather, embellished with gold hardware, and costs $6,250.
Market totes don't have to be sheer.
Everyone seems to love The Row's $1,350 Barn tote, which is basically a luxury version of a classic mesh shopping bag.
But if you want to carry something a little more unique — and spend a few hundred dollars less — there are other standout options.
The Denim Market Tote from 3.1 Phillip Lim is one of them. It retails for $795, is embellished with leather flower appliqués, and comes with a detachable pouch.
Embellishments are in. Consider a bag with a statement decoration.
While encrusted bags from Cult Gaia and Khaite might be trendy, no brand does embellishments quite like Schiaparelli.
Designs like its Mini Nose bag — which retails for 4,100 euros, or about $4,800 — are optimal for luxe, quiet-luxury looks that are contemporary, but not overly flashy.
The bag is made from black calfskin and has a pink leather interior.
If you're looking for an everyday bag that carries it all, look no further than Aspinal of London.
Jil Sander, Jacquemus, and Fendi have made medicine bags mainstream, especially as work bags. The purses are usually medium in size, full of storage space, and neutral in color.
If you're shopping for one, you might want to consider the $940 Hudson design from Aspinal of London.
The bag is sold in classic colors like tan and black, but it's also available in more fun shades like wine and forest green. It's also crafted from pebbled leather, which automatically gives the bag a worn look without any effort from the carrier.
Ralph Lauren makes a stunning alternative to the Dior saddle bag.
Dior's saddle bag might have been introduced in 1999, but it's arguably more popular than ever now.
That might be good news for fans who have struggled to get their hands on the original designs. If you want something fresher, though, Ralph Lauren has one option.
The Polo ID bag, which retails for $498, has a symmetrical, crescent shape and is similar in size to the Dior purse. It's also made with suede, one of the most popular fabrics of 2025.
Metallic fashion has held strong this year. A shiny bag is an easy way into the trend.