When it comes to handbags, there are a few things I look for, no matter what — or how much — I’m planning to invest.
Of course, style is key. More than anything, I want to know at first glance that I’m looking at something undeniably beautiful; a bag that catches my eye and, ideally, the eye of other handbag lovers, too.
Quality is just as important. I put my handbags through their paces, whether I’m carrying one to and from work, taking it along for a day of errands or bringing it out for dinner. I need to know it can handle being filled with everything from my phone and wallet to one too many makeup pouches without starting to fall apart.
But the real deciding factor? Practicality. If I can’t see myself reaching for a bag almost every day, it’s probably not making its way into my collection. The perfect handbag needs to work across occasions, hold everything I need and complement the majority of my wardrobe.
All of which is to say, it’s not often that a handbag brand manages to tick every box. Finding that sweet spot between style, quality and everyday practicality — while still landing at a price point that doesn’t require breaking the bank — is no easy feat.
That’s why craftsmanship and materials matter so much when I’m looking to add a new handbag to my collection. The materials can make a huge difference to how a bag looks, feels and wears over time. Pebbled leather is a personal favourite of mine for exactly this reason: it has a beautiful finish but is also wonderfully practical for everyday use.
Construction matters just as much. A beautiful handbag isn’t much use if it can’t withstand a full day on your shoulder, and a bag that’s thoughtfully made is far more likely to become one you reach for time and time again.
So, what exactly should you look for when it comes to handbag materials and craftsmanship? As someone who shops for a living, I’ve put together everything I look for when assessing whether a bag is really worth adding to my collection.
Which handbag brand is best for quality craftsmanship?
Lately, I’ve been turning to Coach when I’m looking for a handbag that delivers on quality and craftsmanship. With a history dating back to 1941, the brand has spent decades refining its approach to leather goods, with its handbags earning a well-deserved place in wardrobes around the world.
Coach bags are made using quality materials and thoughtful construction, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a handbag I plan to wear regularly. There’s also a great balance of timeless design and practicality, meaning the bags don’t feel like pieces you’ll only want to bring out for a special occasion.
A few of my favourite styles include the Tabby, an effortlessly polished shoulder bag that has enough room for your everyday essentials; the Brooklyn, a more relaxed, slouchy tote that has become my go-to for days when I’m constantly on the move; and the Plaza Bag, which is ideal for those occasions when I only need the essentials — think phone, cardholder and keys.
Below, I’ve rounded up a few of the key Coach styles that are currently in constant rotation.
Coach Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag 26
$795 at Coach
The Coach Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag is exactly what it says on the packet: an effortless, softly structured shoulder bag that looks polished without feeling fussy. And despite its streamlined shape, there’s a surprisingly generous amount of room for all your everyday essentials.
It’s crafted from natural grain leather with a leather lining and comes with detachable straps in both short and long lengths, giving you a few different ways to wear it. Inside, multiple compartments help keep everything organised, while an external zip pocket is handy for those things you want to keep within easy reach, like a cardholder.
The Tabby is available in a selection of sizes and versatile neutrals, from crisp white and classic black to multiple warm shades of brown. So whether you’re after an everyday black handbag or something a little softer for spring, there’s a colour to suit.
Coach Pillow Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34
$895 at Coach
The Coach Pillow Brooklyn Shoulder Bag is a newer addition to the brand’s handbag line-up, and a softer, more relaxed reimagining of the original Brooklyn. The silhouette has been given a slightly slouchier feel, while a zip closure keeps your belongings safely tucked away.
Like any good oversized tote, it’s the kind of bag you’ll reach for when your everyday essentials seem to multiply. There’s plenty of room for your wallet, phone and keys, as well as those extras you tend to carry throughout the day — water bottle, spare cardigan and even your laptop or tablet. An internal snap pocket is also handy for keeping smaller essentials, such as your keys or cardholder, from getting lost in the spacious interior.
The Pillow Brooklyn is currently available in Maple and Black natural grain leather, as well as Dark Chocolate suede. As one of the brand’s newer styles, we’ll be keeping an eye out for more colours and finishes to join the collection.
Coach Plaza Bag 25
$450 at Coach
For a smaller, more evening-appropriate style, the Coach Plaza Bag is hard to look past. Slimmer and more compact than the Tabby, it has a streamlined shoulder silhouette with a single eight-inch strap, making it an easy option when you don’t need to carry quite so much.
It’s the kind of petite bag you’ll reach for when you can leave the kitchen sink at home and get by with just the essentials — your phone, a small wallet or cardholder, keys and a lipstick or lip balm. Despite its smaller size, it still has enough room for the things you actually need when you’re heading out for an evening.
The Plaza Bag comes in three sizes, with seasonal colours and patterns often joining the collection. Depending on the season, you might find shades such as Dark Fuchsia and Scarlet, alongside finishes like Coach’s Signature Upcrafted Leather.
What handbag materials are best for everyday use?
If you’re looking for a handbag made from premium materials, leather is often one of the best options for everyday use. But not all leather is created equal, and understanding the difference between the various types can help you work out what’s worth investing in.
Full-grain leather is generally regarded as the highest-quality grade because it retains the natural outer layer of the hide. When properly cared for, full-grain leather can be exceptionally durable and become even more beautiful with age.
Top-grain leather is also a high-quality option, but it has been lightly processed to remove some of the natural surface imperfections. The result is a smoother, more uniform finish while still retaining many of the durability and longevity benefits associated with quality leather.
For an everyday handbag, I’m also particularly fond of pebbled leather. Its naturally textured finish is not only beautiful, but tends to be more forgiving when it comes to the little marks and signs of everyday life that inevitably come with carrying a handbag regularly.
Ultimately, the best handbag material comes down to how you plan to use the bag. If you’re after something that will be carried frequently and hopefully remain in your wardrobe for years, paying attention to the quality, finish and construction of the leather can make all the difference.
How can you tell if a handbag is well made?
There are a few tell-tale signs that can help you distinguish a well-made handbag from one that simply looks good in a photograph. The first is to look closely at the stitching and seams.
Neat, even stitching with no loose threads or obvious gaps is a good indication that attention has been paid to the construction. Seams should also sit neatly rather than pulling or puckering, particularly around areas that will experience plenty of movement.
A well-made handbag should also feel finished inside as well as out, with a lining that sits neatly and doesn’t bunch or pull away from the edges. It’s a small detail, but one that can make a noticeable difference when you’re using a bag every day.
What makes a handbag high quality?
A high-quality handbag isn’t necessarily the most expensive one on the shelf. Instead, it’s a combination of good materials, careful craftsmanship, durable construction and thoughtful design that determines whether a bag is genuinely worth its place in your wardrobe.
Related articles:
- Multi-way luxury bags that transition effortlessly from day to night
- 7 premium pebbled leather handbags that will stand the test of time
- The best quiet luxury handbags under $1000 that feel like heritage pieces
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