The warm weather is nearly here, which means it’s time to refresh your bag collection for the season ahead. We’ve curated a list of the most stylish bags of the season that fall under $300, so you can splurge without emptying your savings. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new day-to-day shoulder bag, a big tote for your summer trips, a bold evening bag for weddings, or a comfortable crossbody for upcoming concerts, you’ll find it here.
We’re looking at pastels, floral designs, creamy white hues, beach-inspired styles, beaded looks, and more for this spring and the summer ahead. Unique textures, unusual shapes, literal designs, and vivacious looks are on our radar, from purses shaped like caviar tins to denim crossbodies that go with your fave jeans.
This season, we’re owning our personal style, which means basic bags are off the table. Turn up the heat on your spring and summer fits with these eclectic and cultured bags that go beyond the norm without going beyond your budget.
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Everyday Shoulder Bags
If your daily shoulder bag isn’t doing it for you, get one of these affordable and classy purses that look smart and refined. We didn’t pick your basic leather bags, because you know where to find those. Instead, we’re recommending bags that are laidback enough to wear with everything, day or night, but still distinct enough to complement your aesthetic.
With its asymmetrical design and rigid silhouette, this Kate Spade bag has a unique appeal that feels high-end without being flashy. It’s reminiscent of the classic Dior saddle bags, but with a simplified shape that looks as good with a little black dress as it does with a tailored pantsuit. It’s perfect for weekend brunches, days at the office, casual date nights, and whatever else you have going on.
#2 8 Other Reasons Bow Shoulder Bag
It’s slouchy, it’s soft, and it’s your new go-to bag for when you’re running out of the house. This bag is faux suede on one side and faux leather on the other, giving you shiny and supple all at once. The leather bow on the outside adds a playful and chic touch, ideal for stylish shopping sprees or days walking around town.
#3 Free People Sierra Suede Shoulder Bag
For something that feels like spring, this pale green suede shoulder bag is delightful. It has the aura of a spring morning with a pastel green hue and a sleek suede material. With elongated straps and a compact, barrel-like design, it’s a breeze to carry and even easier to style. It can bring a refreshing flair to your daily look, whether you wear it with a silky black slip dress or jeans and a white tee.
Go-To Tote Bags
Every woman needs a tote bag that she can take anywhere and everywhere, but we’re leaving the canvas L.L. Bean bags behind in favor of something more interesting. We have a few tote bags that are modish enough for daily use, but still allow you to flex your personal style.
#4 Madewell Lexington Tote
If you want your tote bag to read less casual and more couture, this refined suede tote is a must-have. The relaxed structure makes it easy to toss everything in here, from binders full of work papers to cute sandals for when the workday is over. You’ll find never-ending space inside, and the longer straps make the stylishly floppy bag comfortable to carry all day long.
#5 Cincha The Canvas Go-Tote
This Cincha tote is water-resistant and loaded with pockets, making it the only tote bag you’ll ever need for vacations, beach days, and grocery hauls. It comes in solid and striped styles, but we love the timeless, nautical feel of the navy and white striped option. It’s the kind of reliable tote all moms, travelers, and shoppers need, especially with secret shoulder straps so you can carry it like a backpack.
#6 Anthropologie Wood Beaded Slouchy Shoulder Tote
We love a slouchy moment, and this beaded everyday bag gives us slouch and saucy sophistication. This bag feels like it was created for a dreamy walk through a tiny Italian village along the coast, but you can bring it just about anywhere with you. The open-weave and wooden beads look antique, but the removable leather pouch keeps the design versatile and modern, making it a piece that will endure as trends come and go.
Small Statement Bags
Nothing takes a blah dress from weary to wow like a statement bag. These are splendid evening bags that don’t just make a statement; they write a whole email about how fabulous you are. The literal designs are trendy, but they can also become part of your permanent collection of sumptuous bags you break out when you want your outfit to make an impact.
#7 Farm Rio Green Jelly Flower Bag
Oh, how we love Farm Rio’s penchant for natural elements and artsy designs; this jelly bag is a prime example. The fluttery jelly pieces on the exterior create a whimsical flower silhouette that moves with you for a fluid effect. It’s a refreshing style that can transition from summer days to formal nights, giving every outfit a playful and eye-catching element.
#8 South Beach x Liv Silverman Shell Resin Bag
This oceanic statement bag can be carried as a clutch or worn as a petite shoulder bag, giving you the perfect excuse to channel a coastal aesthetic the next time you go out. The pearlescent finish creates an elegant and ethereal look that can elevate casual summer outfits, complete a polished evening look, or be the finishing touch on a bridal outfit.
#9 Betsey Johnson Caviar Rhinestoned Novelty Crossbody Bag
If you love the campy, literal handbag styles, you’ll love this caviar-themed evening bag from Betsey Johnson. It’s an ornately beaded crossbody designed to look like a tin of “fancy” caviar, complete with a little spoon charm on the side. It’s quirky and cute but still has a luxurious air about it, making it a sublime addition to any edgy fashionista’s closet.
Festival-Ready Crossbody Bags
Coachell—sorry, we meant Bieberchella, might be over, but there are still many summer festivals, concerts, and late nights ahead of us. These crossbody bags can carry all your essentials, no more, no less. They also bring a stylish flair to your look, which could be sporty, sparkly, or something in between.
#10 Tory Burch Mini Miller Denim Crossbody Bag
We’ve all owned leather and polyester crossbody bags, but do you have a denim one? This Tory Burch crossbody is casual yet fierce, whether you wear it with your faithful pair of jeans or a sparkly bodysuit à la Sabrina Carpenter. The thick, heavily branded shoulder strap looks like an accessory in itself, emphasizing the sleek but laidback aesthetic.
#11 Mary Frances Super Nova Mini Crossbody Handbag
If anyone knows how to make a show-stopping crossbody, it’s Mary Frances. This cosmic-coded beaded bag has a dainty, starry design that works with any festival look, from the funky Western aesthetics to the rhinestone-studded fringe jackets. It’s big enough for your phone, credit card, lip gloss, and car keys, but small enough that it won’t get in the way of you dancing your heart out.
#12 Mark & Graham Leather Gathered Crossbody Bag
For something undeniably chic, timeless, and versatile, we’re obsessing over this Mark & Graham crossbody. The gathered leather front gives it a little something special, but it’s still simple and subtle enough that you can wear it anywhere: work, festivals, date night, lunch with your mom, etc. The red is bold, while the brown and black are classic options, but we’re all about that creamy ivory that makes it all the more lavish-looking and ready for summer.
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