[Editor’s Note: This week, we’re taking it a little slow to delight in one of the last weeks of summer, so we’ll have a mix of both new messages and the most popular articles we’ve published in the recent past. This is one of the latter, in case you missed it.
I have a confession: I actually really don’t like Instagram. Not only because it is a time suck, but also because I think it is slowly ruining all of us. (You didn’t think I was going to go there, did you?) but hear me out—Instagram started as a good idea, a place to share your instant images with pals and family, but boy, has it changed. The platform is all about your best life (even if it’s not close to reality), showing off, oversharing your family, and proving a point. The amount of people I see overthinking a single image and worrying about how numerous people engage with said image is sad, and I am certain it is creating enormous amounts of insecurity and stress. Plus, whatever happened to living in the moment and really experiencing what’s happening around you?
But Instagram still has it’s place for me. It’s a place I can connect with you and share some of our favorite bags and discover new designers! and I like that aspect of Instagram, I like seeing what you like and stumbling onto new accounts. In browsing my feed while on our PurseBlog account, I tend to get sucked in (ah, it’s the worst, but in this case, it’s the best too!) and find bags that catch my eye on different feeds. I’ve found brands that aren’t on my radar—some are brand new to me, while others I know but I don’t know, you know?
Since you are always asking for us to share new brands, I went down the rabbit hole of discovering new designers that I was pretty thrilled about. These are the 11 best handbag brands I’ve discovered on Instagram lately; let me know in the comments below which is your favorite!
CAFUNÉ
@cafune.official
Shop at ca-fune.com and Luisaviaroma
CAFUNÉ bags are glamorous yet understated and, overall, have a timeless appeal. I love the container bag in the image above—it’s much more structured than your typical container bag. There are a handful of designs, and like numerous on this list, you’ll find that the brand goes by “less is more.”
Cuyana
@cuyana
Shop Cuyana
Truth be told, I’ve heard of Cuyana here and there for a few years, but it’s always been on social media. I didn’t follow the brand or view much of what its doing, but I keep seeing it tagged on some other accounts I follow. The bags are easy and clean, I’ve read terrific things about the leather, and they’re priced very reasonably. Cuyana’s viewpoint is “fewer, better” which aligns with the timeless collection. They have clothing as well, and it’s easy and dreamy.
Haerfest
@haerfest
Shop Haerfest Bags
Founded by two brothers in 2011, the duo is a CFDA fashion Incubator 4.0 Designer. The company, pronounced “harvest”, is based in new York City, and its goal is to equip experts in motion. The bags are easy and straightforward, while being different and cool. prices are $650 and below.
Linjer
@linjerco
Shop Linjer bags
Fast company profiled Linjer in an short article titled, “Meet Linjer, the most popular leather goods startup You’ve never heard Of.” because targeting advertising works wonders, I’ve seen ads for Linjer on my personal Facebook page for some time now. It doesn’t seem to be all hype—recently it released the $425 Tulip bag, which had a 2,500-person waitlist and $600,000 in pre-sales on Indiegogo.
Senreve
@senreve
Shop Senreve Bags
We’ve already covered Senreve multiple times on our site, but it was an Instagram find. I saw a few bloggers I know carrying the bags, wound up on their account, and have worked with the brand because then. The bags are clean and extremely functional and usable (that’s what Senreve prides itself in), and my favorite bags are the Maestra and small Maestra.
Sezane
@sezane
Shop Sezane online
Sezane is not new at all, but it’s a brand we haven’t covered. Sezane designs can best be described as what everyone implies when they say “how to dress like a French girl”. There are much more than bags, and the clothes are good, but I really like the bags—they’re easy and easy to throw on and carry, and I’d like to think I’d look as amazing as the other people I see wearing Sezane.
RSVP Paris
@rsvp_paris
Shop RSVP Paris online
Though many of these designs are small leather goods (there’s only one larger bag, which goes for $487), I think all of us tend to look for card cases, wallets, and other pint-size bag items that are just as important. RSVP Paris allows for personalization, and you can get creative with it, plus its Instagram is very funky.
POLÈNE
@polene_paris
Shop Polène Paris Bag
These bags looks entirely luxurious, and the price tag is really fair—380€ and below. They have a store in Paris that looks exquisite, and the bag above is dreamy! The brand reached out to me just this week and may send a bag my way to check out—I’ll keep you posted.
The VOLON
@thevolon
Shop thevolon.com and at Net-A-Porter
Most of The Volon’s bags are structured and quirky, with details like tassels and different material and color combos. While numerous of the bags are not suited for my daily life, plenty of others are, and if you want something new and unique, this brand brings it.
Wandler
@wandler
Shop Wandler estore and at Net-A-Porter
I’m really into these bags—the Hortensia, to be accurate (and this mint shade is divine!). prices are 800€ and below, and the vibe could be described as stylish street style fodder that is still wearable for the lady on the grocery store and school pick-up run.
Yuzefi
@yuzefi
Shop Yuzefi online and at Net-A-Porter
Founded in 2015 by Naza Yousefi, Yuzefi bags mix modern and unusual. The end result are striking, handcrafted bags that have become very popular across Instagram, from fashion editors to street style stars. The brand is now carried at Net-A-Porter, so it’s clear they’re onto something.