Support Us Login
  • Home
  • Going Out
    • Things to do
    • Food & Drink
    • Theatre
    • Visual Arts
    • Cinema
    • Kids
    • Festival
    • Gigs
    • Dance
    • Classical Music
    • Opera
    • Immersive
    • Talks
  • Staying In
    • TV
    • Books
    • Cook
    • Podcast
    • Design
    • Netflix
  • Life & Style
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Gifting
    • Wellbeing
    • Lifestyle
    • Shopping
    • Jewellery
  • Explore
  • Shopping
  • CW SHOPS
  • Support Us
  • Get Started
  • Tickets
  • CW SHOPS
Get the Best of London Life, Culture and Style
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
Fashion

Affordable designer bags under £300

By Rebecca Gonsalves on 8/10/2019

The mid-range bag market is booming thanks to budget-friendly brands like Cult Gaia, Staud and Coach

Mansur Gavriel kick-started the affordable bag revolution
Mansur Gavriel kick-started the affordable bag revolution

Chylak

This Warsaw-based brand has built up a firm following among the style set for its clean lines, minimal branding and modern take on the classic. Sturdy but small, these bags may mean you need to KonMari what you carry around.


VIEW




Staud

Founded by Sarah Staudinger, the former fashion director of Reformation, Staud has seriously stylish credentials: its clear PVC version of the Shirley tote is just one of the brand's best-sellers. If PVC feels too faddish turn to smooth leather, mock-croc or faux snake.


VIEW



Coach

Buying a Coach bag has long been a rite of passage for American teenagers and young women, usually marking their first designer purchase. But the brand didn't really resonate over here until 2013, when Brit designer Stuart Vevers took the helm, adding an international outlook and upping the cool credentials.


VIEW




Loeffler Randall

There's a point of difference to Loeffler Randall designs, the product of Jessie Randall and Brian Murphy, partners in life and work. Think beaded bags, zebra stripes and fluffed-up feather trims on accessories that will never be an afterthought.


VIEW



Cult Gaia

The 'ark' bag might have helped designer Jasmin Hekmat's presciently named brand achieve cult status, but multiple hit designs prove this is no one-trick pony. An embrace of less precious materials such as bamboo, acrylic and wood help keep plenty of options below the £300 mark.

VIEW




Bimba Y Lola


This brilliant Spanish brand embraces bold logos, colour, metallics and eye-catching trims yet somehow manages to create a sense of refined modernity for its urban-inspired offering.


VIEW




Kate Spade New York


The aesthetic might be whimsical and girly, but practicality often comes to the fore: think well-sized cross-body bags, laptop cases and interchangeable accessories to ensure you get more bang for your buck. Flowers, leopard print, hearts and spades are common decorative motifs and bold colours are key.


VIEW




Mansur Gavriel


Okay, a Mansur Gavriel bag can't be had for £300 but as the brand that kick-started an affordable bag revolution it would be remiss not to include it. Design details such as branding, hardware and linings were initially kept minimal to keep costs down and are now the brand's signature, as well as a Pantone chart of coloured leather, interesting shapes and just-right sizes.


VIEW





Whistles


There's more to high-street handbags than catwalk copies, but you need to know where to look. Whistles is an excellent starting point, with an unwavering range of unobtrusive, elegant everyday pieces offset by the occasional trend-led design detail.


VIEW




Knomo London


Any commuter worth their contactless card knows that swapping from shoulder bag to laptop will do wonders for your spine, especially if you tote about a laptop, Keep Cup and S'well bottle at all times. Colourful, affordable and easy on the eye, it's easy to see why Knomo has become a work wardrobe staple.


VIEW



Strathberry

Designed in Scotland and made in Spain, when Meghan Markle wore a Strathberry in 2017 the small-scale brand saw sales go stratospheric. New colour combinations have been added to build on the interest in the classic designs, while a collaboration with Alana Hadid further boosted the brand's standing.

VIEW


Muuñ

Straw bags look set to stay, so investing in one that will last longer than a two-week holiday is a good plan of action. Muuñ's refined designs are hand-crafted in Ghana before being finished with care in Paris, bringing ethics, tradition and modern aesthetics together in one attractive package.

VIEW


Charles & Keith

With prices that rival the high street and a broad range of designs, it's something of a surprise that Singaporean brand Charles & Keith isn't that well known in London, meaning that you can shop without worrying about an attack of the clones.

VIEW



Share:

fashion

shopping

trends

accessories

under £300



You may also like:
  • Best Autumn boots 2022 - picture: @thefashionguitar

    The best new boots autumn/winter 2022

  • London fashion talks to book now: Zandra Rhodes © Simon Emmett

    Fashion talks in London to book now

  • Best sample sales London

    Best upcoming sample sales in London: autumn 2021

  • The designer outlet stores London shoppers need to know

    The designer outlet stores London shoppers need to know

  • The Tiffany Blue Box Café at Harrods: The best fashion pop-ups London

    The best fashion pop-ups: London

  • LUCÍA BÁRCENA

    The flea-markets London fashion editors love



  • The Culture Whisper team
  • Support Us
  • Tickets
  • Contact us
  • Press
  • FAQ
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Discover
  • Venues
  • Restaurants
  • Stations
  • Boroughs
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

You have reached the limit of free articles.


To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy

Each week, we send newsletters and communication featuring articles, our latest tickets invitations, and exclusive offers.

Occasional information about discounts, special offers and promotions.


OR
LOG IN

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.



EXPLORE CULTURE WHISPER
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy
Forgot your username or password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use

Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
×