Handbags

21 Quiet Luxury Handbags Shaping the Minimalist Movement

What exactly is quiet luxury? Here, we explain the movement’s origins and present the top quiet luxury handbags that embody minimalist fashion. 

By 

Meyme Nakash

 |  May 3, 2025

The term quiet luxury, denoting a refined, minimalist approach to dressing, has been widely discussed in the past few years. This pared-down aesthetic is a reaction to the flamboyant fashion trends of the past two decades or so, but it’s not as new as many think. This concept has roots in the Renaissance, when the elite commissioned bespoke garments and accessories that focused on high-quality materials and understated elegance, rather than over-the-top embellishments and silhouettes. Like today, they shifted away from dressing flamboyantly to distinguish themselves from the masses, which still imitated their previously loud fashion sensibilities. 

Here, we unpack the definition and implications of quiet luxury in modern society and share the top quiet luxury handbags that have helped shape the movement. 

In This Article

• What Is Quiet Luxury?
• Is Quiet Luxury a Trend?
• What Are the Best Quiet Luxury Bags?

21 Quiet Luxury Handbags for Every Style

What Is Quiet Luxury?

To keep it simple, quiet luxury encompasses designer items with an understated, elegant aesthetic. Whether it’s a cashmere sweater or a leather handbag, these pieces showcase exceptional craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and refined silhouettes. They’re also typically exclusive in some way; the level of detail brands take to craft these goods makes them almost impossible to mass-produce. Quiet luxury collectors value composition and construction over logos and flashy designs. And often, pieces in this category don’t have logos at all. This creates an air of “if you know, you know” surrounding the minimalist movement, which makes it even more attractive to those wanting to embody stealth wealth, another name for quiet luxury; this phrase refers to the approach of whispering rather than shouting one’s wealth through a discerning taste for luxury goods. 

Is Quiet Luxury a Trend?

Quiet luxury is more than just a trend; it’s a lifestyle. When a person embraces quiet luxury in their clothing, it’s usually a reflection of their attitude toward displays of wealth. They don’t need others to affirm their wealth and status. And because they’re not seeking anyone’s validation, they’re comfortable choosing minimalist designs that are timeless. This outlook has encouraged people to pay closer attention to the clothing, handbags, and jewelry they purchase. It has also promoted the idea of building a capsule wardrobe — a small, curated collection of high-quality pieces that you can mix and match for years to come. 

What Are the Best Quiet Luxury Bags?

The top quiet luxury bags have timeless designs and are made of rare and high-end materials. Sometimes, they have subtle motifs and details that nod to the designer, such as a signature stitching or metal clasp. Below, we demystify the most sought-after quiet luxury handbags by highlighting these design elements. 

Hermès Birkin 

At first, we weren’t sure whether to include the Hermès Birkin bag, because it’s one of the most popular and in-demand handbags right now. However, we’d be remiss to exclude it due to its current popularity because the Birkin was created to be the quintessential quiet luxury handbag. In 1984, Jean-Louis Dumas, then creative director of Hermès, conceptualized it with the help of French-British actress and singer Jane Birkin. They imagined a spacious handbag that was both stylish and practical. Hermès released the bag a year later, and today, it’s one of the most iconic handbags in the world. 

The Birkin bag features a square silhouette and a front-facing lock closure, complete with a gold-plated or palladium lock and a set of keys. It has clou, or metal feet, that keep the bag upright while resting on a surface and protect the bottom from scratches. The inside has a single compartment, and there’s a patch pocket and a zipper pocket on the back wall. There are two top handles that you can wear on the wrist or forearm, depending on the size. The classic Birkin sizes are 25, 30, 35, and 40, each indicating the length of the bag’s base in centimeters. It comes in exotic skins and different premium leathers. The most popular of which are supple Togo leather and firm Epsom leather. 

A classic leather Birkin bag starts between $10,400 and $12,500 at retail. However, you can’t just walk into a boutique and purchase one; you need to have a leather appointment, which is difficult to obtain without a long purchase history at Hermès. For this reason, many buy Birkin bags through reputable resellers, usually at a steep price increase. This explains why Hermès is one of the most expensive purse brands. And why many regard its handbags as investment pieces. 

Hermès Kelly

The Kelly is another type of Hermès handbag that’s gained cult status thanks to its minimalist design and impeccable construction. The house initially called this elegant style the Sac à Dépêches, or “dispatch bag” in French, when it launched in 1928. However, it later renamed it after Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, who was once photographed shielding herself from the paparazzi using it. 

Robert Dumas, Jean-Louis Dumas’s father who helmed the maison between 1951 and 1978, designed the Kelly as a spacious alternative to the mini handbags that were fashionable at the time. He achieved this through a then-groundbreaking trapezoid silhouette, which gives the appearance of being small but expands to fit items like keys, lipstick, and a wallet. The Kelly has a firm structure to support this shape, a single top handle, and the same front-facing lock closure that appears on the Birkin. Inside, there is a single compartment with a slot pocket on the back wall. The Kelly comes with a removable crossbody strap, unlike the Birkin, which is strictly a handbag. 

This style is available in several leathers and exotic skins, but the most popular options are Sellier and Retourne leather; the Sellier is firm with crisp, clean lines, whereas the Retourne is softer and has a slightly slouching appearance. The Kelly comes in various sizes. The most exclusive of which are the 20 and 25 (keep in mind that only the sizes 25 and up fit a standard iPhone). A classic leather Kelly bag costs between $8,700 and $12,000 at retail. But you can expect to pay at least double that on the secondhand market. 

The Row Margaux

Launched in 2018, the Margaux bag is a relatively new quiet luxury handbag — but that doesn’t make it any less covetable (in fact, the style is often sold out). The Row’s founders and designers, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, designed the carryall bag with an eye to functionality and their own understated sensibilities. It has a classic, rectangular silhouette with rounded edges. And features two top handles, a gusseted side panel, a removable shoulder strap, and a toggle closure. The Margaux is available in 10, 12, 15, and 17, with each number corresponding to the length of the bag in inches. In particular, the Margaux 12 is touted for its spacious yet compact nature.  

Each season, the brand reinterprets the hero bag in different materials, sizes, and colorways. A recent addition that’s already made waves in the fashion world to its lineup is the Margaux in suede. If you’re looking to get your hands on the bag, you’ll need to act fast and purchase it right when the Row releases its collections. Otherwise, you can buy one through a reputable reseller. A classic Margaux 12 in calfskin leather retails for $4,350. And a Margaux 15 in suede (the material isn’t offered in the 12 size) costs $4,900.

Savette Symmetry Pochette

Savette is a New York–based brand offering chic quiet luxury handbags crafted in Italy, just outside of Florence. Its focus is to create styles that are timeless and celebrate the Italian leatherworking tradition, focusing on geometric shapes. All Savette handbags feature the brand’s signature Symmetry Lock, which is both elegant and functional. The Symmetry Pochette, in particular, placed Savette on the map of quiet luxury handbags, thanks to its sleek design and clean lines. It has a rectangular silhouette, a single top handle, and a Symmetry Lock (which is usually gold-plated, although some examples have silver-tone hardware).

It comes in two sizes: the classic Symmetry Pouchette, which retails for $1,390, and the Slim Symmetry Pouchette, which sells for $1,490 and has an elongated shape. The original version is calfskin leather. And it’s also available in lizard skin and mesh and calfskin versions — all of which come in a range of colors. 

Loro Piana Extra Pocket 

The Extra Pocket perfectly fits the mold of Loro Piana’s ethos for understated luxury. The Italian maison is famous for its cashmere and wool pieces, but it offers this accessory in a variety of materials, including calfskin leather; a tweed fabric made from a blend of linen, silk, and wool; and exotic skins like ostrich leather. 

The materials of this bag are certainly diverse, but its silhouette remains unchanged. It has a rectangular shape with a dual zipper, a single, flat top handle, and a removable shoulder strap. We love how you can wear this bag in multiple ways. Including by hand, as a crossbody bag, or over the shoulder. A key feature of this handbag, and many of Loro Piana’s accessories, is the small lock on one zipper and a hoop pendant on the other. The lock has the brand’s logo engraved on it, and “Loro Piana” is inscribed on the loop. 

The Extra Pocket comes in two main sizes, the L19 and the L27. Many compare the L19 to the Hermès Kelly due to its petite character. Still, they generally view the L27 as its more practical counterpart because it’s more spacious. A classic L19 in calfskin leather costs $2,975, whereas an L27 costs $3,600.

Loewe Squeeze

If you prefer rounder, softer bag silhouettes over geometric ones, the Loewe Squeeze bag is a great choice. Jonathan Anderson, the luxury house’s previous creative director, introduced this style as part of Loewe’s fall/winter 2023 collection. Modern but timeless, this handbag gets its name from the way its handle is padded for comfort. 

It’s made of buttery-soft nappa lambskin leather, which complements its overall slouchy, ruched silhouette. It has a magnetic snap closure and a small pocket on the interior back wall. The Squeeze bag features a donut chain (a metal chain composed of circular links) with a drop and Loewe charm at one end. You can adjust the strap to wear the bag over the shoulder or as a crossbody. Many people appreciate the lightweight quality of the Squeeze bag, as its hardware is made of aluminum and stainless steel (which weigh less than brass, a common choice for handbag hardware) that is gold plated, depending on the colorway. This style comes in mini, small, and medium — although the medium is the most popular, thanks to its functionality. A classic medium Squeeze bag costs $4,950. 

Bottega Veneta Andiamo

The Bottega Veneta Andiamo was introduced in the spring/summer 2023 collection under the creative direction of Matthieu Blazy, who oversaw the brand from 2021 to 2024. The Andiamo has a classic rectangular silhouette that features the luxury house’s signature intrecciato weaving technique, often rendered in smooth lambskin leather. This timeless handbag quickly gained popularity because of its versatility, as you can seamlessly wear it from day to night. It has a braided chain and leather strap that you can don over the shoulder or as a crossbody. The strap loops through the bag and highlights an elegant golden bow at the front. You can also hold it by hand using its single top handle. A zippered pocket at the center divides the spacious interior into two compartments, which provides useful organization for your belongings. 

The Andiamo comes in sizes small, medium, and large, with the small and large versions being the most coveted. It’s available in bright and neutral colors. As well as various limited-edition materials such as ostrich leather and canvas with alligator details. A classic small Andiamo bag in lambskin retails for $4,800.

Celine Classique 16

If you’re looking for a quiet luxury handbag that leans traditional in terms of style, the Celine Classique 16 is for you. It has a trapezoid shape that expands, making it a wonderful piece for everyday use, and a top flap secured by a metal turn-lock closure. The Classique 16 has a top handle and a removable strap, allowing you to wear it over the shoulder or as a crossbody when you’re on the go. It also has metal feet so you can rest it on a surface without worrying about scratches. 

The bag has a lambskin exterior and interior, which gives it a striking appearance, especially in the satin black colorway. While it doesn’t have any logos, there is a Celine-branded lock that lies across the front of the bag. Inside, there’s one flat pocket and a zipper pocket on the back wall. It comes in one size, which we consider standard for a medium bag, and retails for $4,950. 

Alaïa Teckel

It’s no secret that the Alaïa Teckel bag is on the rise — practically every celebrity and influencer wears one these days. Introduced as part of the house’s spring/summer 2024 line, this style is the quintessential quiet luxury bag because of its subtle yet striking design. The original handbag is rendered in goatskin leather, which is firm but has a glossy appearance and complements the sleekness of this accessory. It has a distinctive silhouette that’s horizontally elongated and tapers at the sides, blending the streetwear aesthetic of baguette-style bags with a hint of traditional design. What most people don’t know is that the handbag’s shape is inspired by the dachshund, an adorable long-bodied dog breed. 

The Teckel bag has two long tubular top handles, which means you can sling it comfortably over the shoulder without worrying that it’ll sit too tightly under the arm. The bag has a two-way zipper, and “Alaïa” is written in small gold or silver lettering at the front toward the bottom. Inside, there’s a small slip pocket for your keys or card wallet. The Teckel bag comes in two sizes, small and medium, with the latter being more popular. There are also clutch and tote renditions of the bag, which we expect to become a hit too. A classic medium-size Teckel bag in goatskin costs $2,700 in boutiques. 

Toteme T-Lock

Toteme launched the T-Lock bag, known for its spacious and understated design, in 2022. The house’s founder and Swedish designer, Elin Kling, wanted a style that communicated both elegance and ease, and she certainly delivered with the T-Lock bag. It showcases a masterful balance between structure and slouchiness, tied together with a T clasp that secures the top flap. This bag comes in one size and is available in various materials, including canvas with leather trims and smooth and pebble-grained calf leather. It has a top handle that you can wear nonchalantly on your wrist or in your hand, along with a removable shoulder strap. Inside, there’s one spacious compartment and a slip pocket on the back wall. You can purchase the bag in-store for $1,390, making it an affordable gateway to quiet luxury handbags. 

Saint Laurent Manhattan

Saint Laurent debuted the Manhattan bag in 2019 and updated it in 2023 with an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap; it previously had only a top handle. Inspired by the metropolitan environs of New York City, this shoulder bag has a sleek structure with clean lines, complemented by the magnetic clip buckle closure at the front. The original style comes in smooth calfskin leather, although the fashion house also offers it in exotic skins. It has one interior compartment with a flat leather pocket on the inside. It is available in mini, small, and medium sizes in earth and jewel tones. The Manhattan bag in size medium and calfskin leather has a $3,500 price. 

Joseph Duclos Diane

The history of Joseph Duclos, a French luxury leather-goods brand, spans nearly three centuries, starting in 1754, when King Louis XV declared it the royal leather manufacturer. Both then and now, Joseph Duclos has brought together the finest artisans in the world to push the boundaries of leatherworking traditions, yielding exquisitely crafted pieces that position the brand ahead of others. 

In 2020, Ramesh Nair, who designed women’s wear at Hermès for 10 years, became the creative director of Joseph Duclos. Many have praised him for contemporizing Joseph Duclos by creating timeless pieces that speak to modern sensibilities, such as the Diane handbag. The Diane has an elegant silhouette with rounded edges, a curved top flap, and a sword-inspired, gold- or silver-tone clasp. It features a removable, adjustable strap, allowing you to wear it in multiple ways. This handbag is available in various leathers and colors, including a heritage leather — the brand’s signature full-grain calfskin. It comes in sizes 20, 26, and 30, but the smallest size (which costs $8,050 in heritage leather) is the most popular — especially since singer Taylor Swift wore it while on a date with NFL player Travis Kelce. 

Métier Vérité Mini

London-based luggage and handbag brand Métier offers a beautiful selection of discreet, luxurious styles, but the Vérité Mini is one of our personal favorites. It quite literally has the appearance of a box; it is made of lightweight Italian suede and pulled together by a braided top handle with contrasting smooth calfskin leather. The bag, which costs $2,350, has a detachable shoulder strap, making it a versatile choice for a quiet luxury handbag. Inside, there are four separate compartments on the bag’s walls with snap closures to secure your small belongings; this leaves a spacious compartment at the center in which you can store larger items like an iPhone. The Vérité Mini also has a magnetic snap closure at the top, which cinches in the bag for extra security. Overall, we think this bag offers the perfect balance of utility and style. 

Gucci Jackie 1961

Although Gucci originally named this bag the Constance, the brand later dubbed it the Jackie 1961 after the former First Lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy, who often donned this style in different colors and materials. The Jackie 1961 has a crescent silhouette with a piston-shape closure, accompanied by a shoulder strap. Inside, there’s a slot pocket, a zipper pocket, and a suede-like fabric lining. This handbag is relatively simple in its design, embodying the quiet luxury movement’s air of impact through minimalism. It comes in sizes mini, small, and medium, with the small size being a popular choice among fashion lovers due to its spacious yet pared-back look. 

Unlike the small and medium bags, the mini Jackie 1961 has a long chain strap with “Gucci” written on one side in metal letters. Gucci offers the Jackie 1961 in a myriad of colors and materials, including python leather, so there’s truly something for everyone. 

Khaite Lotus Canvas Tote

Canvas tote bags play a significant role in shaping the quiet luxury movement due to their unpretentious nature. New York–based luxury women’s wear brand Khaite recently released the Lotus canvas tote, and women in major cities have already taken to the style. It has a unique, bucket bag-style silhouette with a canvas body and a leather strap that beautifully transitions to the top of the bag, also rendered in leather. On the front of the bag, toward the top, “Khaite” is embossed in gold lettering. Inside, there’s one compartment large enough to fit a laptop and other medium-to-large-sized items — making this style ideal for travel or work. It costs $2,700 in boutiques, and we think they’ll likely sell out by the summer.  

Polène Numéro Neuf

Want to channel your inner Parisian? The Polène Numéro Neuf is the quiet luxury handbag for you. This stylish bag showcases a beautiful draping technique (using supple calf leather, of course), yielding intentional dips that give the Numéro Neuf a certain je ne sais quoi. It comes in two sizes: mini and classic (which is more spacious). It has a thick top handle and comes with a detachable shoulder strap. Polène offers the bag in limited-edition materials such as alpaca and mohair wool, along with ecru shearling, which is especially stylish in the winter. Inside, there’s a cotton lining, and the larger version has an interior zipper pocket. A classic Numéro Neuf costs $610 — its affordable price explaining why it’s usually unavailable. 

Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU

Silvia Venturini, the granddaughter of Fendi founders Adele and Edoardo Fendi, designed and released the Peekaboo ISeeU bag in 2008. The leather bag was certainly well-received at the time, but it gained global popularity only with the rise of quiet luxury. Notably, it was released at the same time as the Fendi Peekaboo, another hero style, but the ISeeU is championed for its casual chic aesthetic, with an accordion-style silhouette. 

The ISeeU has a trapezoid shape, a top handle, and a metal turnlock clasp. Its interior has multiple pockets, including a zipper pocket, slip pockets, and a card slip, making it functional for everyday use. There are five sizes, ranging from petite to extra large, although the mini version, which retails for $5,300, is the most popular currently. It’s available in calf, lamb, and Cuio Romano leather — the brand’s distinctive soft calfskin leather. Fendi also offers limited-edition options with interlaced leather and ostrich leather. 

Read More: The Most Stylish Types of Fendi Handbags

Demellier London The New York 

Another quiet luxury bag to keep on your radar is the New York bag from Demellier London. This tote bag style prioritizes functionality, with a large interior and magnetic closures at the top for added security. There’s one small zipper pocket on the interior back wall for keys or a card wallet. The greatest allure of this bag (besides its $670 price) is that you can easily throw in your laptop and other travel or work essentials and still carry it around as a luxurious handbag. Demellier London offers this style in materials ranging from grained calf leather to suede. Two leather straps cinch in the front and back of the bag; the front one features a gold- or silver-tone decorative buckle. 

Delvaux Tempête

Delvaux is a storied Belgian leather-goods brand that holds a unique place in the world of quiet luxury, thanks to its artful and subtly surrealist designs. Launched in 1967, the Tempête is its hero bag, featuring a top handle, a front flap, and a strap that surrounds the bag, meeting its signature studded palladium clasps at the front. This handbag has a slightly trapezoidal shape and an accordion construction, so it can expand to fit more items. It comes with a removable and adjustable shoulder strap, allowing you to wear it in various ways. The interior has a key hook and a zipper pocket. It’s available in several sizes, and the smallest version is more square-shaped than it is trapezoidal. A classic Tempête L — the largest and most popular size — sells for $8,200. 

Hunting Season The Small Top Handle

Hunting Season is a New York and Colombia–based accessories brand with an ethos for creating timeless, rather than trendy, luxury handbags. The Small Top Handle bag nicely reflects this attitude with a traditional silhouette that’s slightly tapered at the sides. It has a front flap, top handle, and adjustable strap — all in smooth nappa leather. This style sells for $825 and has all the qualities of a forever bag. It’s simple but elegant; what more could you ask for?

Mark Cross Madeline

Established in 1845 in Boston, American leather-goods brand Mark Cross harnesses its roots in equestrian supplies to expertly craft its handbags. We’re especially fond of the Madeline bag because of its interesting architecture, which blends round and sharp lines for an overall balanced look. This handbag has a canvas body with soft calfskin leather trims. It has a top handle, a removable shoulder strap, and a metal clasp that secures a front flap. The Madeline comes in a small and large size, but only the small version has metal feet to protect the bag from surface damage; the former costs $2,990, and the latter is $3,190. 

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