Handbag Favorites: 5 Brands Under $500

Last updated on December 29th, 2025 at 09:03 am

With the ongoing rise of handbag prices, both designer & contemporary alike, I thought it was time to do a round-up of my favorite picks that don’t break the bank at under $500.

Polene

I have written numerous Polene reviews, comparisons, and informational posts – clearly, I am a fan! And while the latest price increase is kind of insane (Dix for $620?! I bought mine for $360 back in the day…), they still have some styles that are less “hyped” and have avoided significant price increases. These are great value, and two in particular that are under $500:

• Ilo Tote $360: An excellent work bag, I purchased mine two summers ago (reviewed here) when it first came out. Since then, it has been my daily driver during the warmer, sunnier months. I used Collonil spray on it to protect the canvas, and so far have not had any color transfer issues!
• Numero Sept Mini $480: Personally, I believe this bag is very underrated! It’s much more structured than the soft curves of their other styles, but has a classic silhouette that should stand the test of time. I’ve had mine since 2020 (reviewed here), and it always gets compliments when I wear it out.

Songmont

Perhaps most well known for their versatile half-moon shaped Luna bag, Songmont has since released different newer styles in their line-up. I appreciate that they come in several shades for both neutral and color lovers alike. My top three picks under $500 are:

• Luna Bag $349: Almost two years ago, I reviewed the Songmont Luna here, and I still think this is a fantastic bag for the price! It’s on-trend without being overly so, and would be a great bag to travel with since it transitions from cross-body, to shoulder, to evening very easily.
• Medium Song Bag $388: I love Songmont’s lucky red shade. iI’s a perfect neutral, bright, red, and relatively easy to wear as the medium Song is still a small-ish sized bag. Even though the top is open, there are additional pockets and a top clasp that provide a little bit of security.
• Minimal Yore Hobo Bag $339: A newer edition to Songmont’s line-up, the minimal version of the Yore line has less hardware than its original counterpart. It’s very Toteme, but at the friendly price point that Songmont is known for.

And now, onto brands that are a little newer to me!

RSVP Paris

RSVP is a French brand that focuses on making a few signature styles in limited quantities, to avoid overproduction. Despite most of their bags falling under the $500 mark, they have a lot of luxury components. For example, the interiors are lined with leather, not fabric – which is very rare at this price point. Our favorite Tanner Leatherstein made a great breakdown video as well.

• Munchkin $380: Classic mini top handle shape, very mini Kelly-esque. I love RSVP’s hardware motif – the circle metal embellishments are so simple, yet still unique. And they kind of remind me of Baymax from Big Hero Six… which I’m sure was not their intention at all, but I find it cute. This is very much a mini bag, meant for a cardholder, some tissues, lippy… and that’s about it!
• Golden Eyes $395 I went back and forth between the Munchkin and Golden Eyes, and decided to get the Golden Eyes due to its larger capacity. However, it is still small enough to be an evening clutch once the adjustable strap is removed. I like that the strap is attached to hardware on the side versus looping through the top flap; as the latter can cause deformation over time.

Note: I was gifted this bag from RSVP Paris, however all opinions are of my own.

MargeSherwood

I stumbled upon this brand as I searched for alternatives to Miu Miu’s funky academic style that is all the rage now. Marge Sherwood is a Korean brand with distribution at international retailers like SSENSE and W Concept.

• Soft Baguette Bag $321: Very on-trend with the shoulder length straps and east-west silhouette. I will do a more in-depth review of this bag soon, but I’d caveat that it is definitely a little smaller than expected! It still fits the essentials (phone, wallet, very small umbrella) but would not fit say, a small tablet or e-reader.
• Soft Tote Mini $312: I’m not sure why it’s called a tote, as it is more of a boston bag silhouette. Regardless, I know that I’ll more realistically get more use out of a crossbody. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and construction of this bag, and it fits a lot despite its petite size. The only thing I’m worried about is wear and tear, especially since the nubuck is so pliable. If anyone has tips, please share!

Quince

I have reviewed a lot of Quince, and have found that their wool and leather can be hit or miss. And to be completely honest I don’t love the styles that are a little too on the nose as dupes of other brands.

However, of the few bags I’ve tried, I’ve been very impressed with their handwoven leather line aka their Bottega dupes. Specifically:

• Italian Handwoven Leather Satchel $150 Very similar to the Andiamo, minus the gold knot hardware. It’s very lightweight, but well made, and has the key style features such as a movable leather center divider.
• Slouchy Shoulder Bag $130 Very similar to the Jodie, except it has a somewhat flatter profile due to how it’s constructed. I would have kept this one, but ultimately knew that the shoulder-carry style would be the most practical for me personally.

If you are looking to make your first purchase, you can use my referral link for $20 off your first purchase of $100+. Please note that I will also receive a $20 credit as well, and thank you in advance for the support!

Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was not sponsored by any of the brands listed above. As always, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, in which I earn a commission on purchases.