Here are the most important things to consider when looking for your first designer bag if you haven’t read the in depth blog here.
- Budget: Determine your budget range before starting your search. Designer handbags come in a wide price range, and it’s essential to set a realistic budget.
- Purpose and Functionality: Consider the intended use of the bag. Are you looking for an everyday bag, a special occasion piece, or a versatile option that can transition between different settings?
- Size and Capacity: Think about the size you need based on your lifestyle and daily essentials. Consider if you prefer a larger tote, a medium-sized shoulder bag, or a compact crossbody.
- Color: Choose a color that complements your style and wardrobe but we always recommend starting off with classic colors like black, brown, or neutral tones are versatile and timeless.
- Timeless Design: Opt for a design that transcends trends, ensuring your investment remains stylish for years to come.
- Comfort: Consider the comfort of carrying the bag. Assess the weight, strap length, and how the bag feels when worn.
- Interior Features: Evaluate the interior organization, pockets, and compartments. A well-organized bag can make it easier to find and access your belongings.
- Personal Style: Ultimately, choose a bag that resonates with your personal style and makes you feel confident and satisfied.
Great Hermes starter bags:
The Hermes Herbag is a great entry bag into Hermes because of how affordable it is compared to a lot of other styles. It has a look similar to the Kelly but offers a more casual relaxed style.
The Garden Party is a great starter bag if you are looking for a tote bag perfect for work, shopping, travel or everyday! It has that quiet luxury look but anyone who’s familiar with Hermes knows the garden party and remains a very popular style.
The Evelyne is a great starter bag for those looking for a comfortable messenger bag for travel everyday and is a very popular bag amongst moms and those who love to be on the go handsfree!
The Kelly wallet to go or the Constance wallet to go is an amazing starter bag for those willing to spend a little more but still not as expensive as most Hermes bags, especially the quota bags. The reason it made our best starter bag list is because this is a style that will always increase in value and can be worn casually or formally. The straps are detachable which can turn the bag into a clutch!
Great Chanel starter bags:
The Wallet on a chain comes is so many different variations, style, color and print! It makes it hard to choose but choose faster than later because this is a style that has a record high of increasing in value next to the classic flaps. It’s also a lot more price friendly than a lot of the bigger sized bags in Chanel how can be worn everyday casually or dressed up with a nice dress. Did you also know that you can shorten the Chanel chains by buying a little bag strap clip from amazon?
The Chanel grand shopping tote aka the GST is no longer available in stores and has been discontinued for some time but is such an affordable find when you can buy it on the preloved consignment secondary market for approximately $3000. The Chanel shopping totes now in the boutiques retail for over $6000.
The Chanel classic flap of course is a must have if you are looking to splurge on your first Chanel bag but have no regret because the longer you wait the higher the price becomes. You can see the historical price increase of Chanel classic flap which out performed a lot of stocks!
The 24P Retrofit Flap is a newer bag that was recently released is 2024 but here’s all the reason why this makes a great starter bag. It has the classic shape similar to the coco handle and trendy or the lady dior so you can be assured this will not go out of style. It also comes in the durable caviar material which the Trendy CC does not. This is a bag that you could wear everyday or dress it up.
The Coco handle is a classic style that is highly coveted and makes a great entry into Chanel because of its detachable strap option with top handle function. You can definitely wear this from day to night.
Great Louis Vuitton starter bags:
The Neverfull is a bag some may say overrated but will remain a staple in most designer bag collections. If you are looking for a great starter tote within the Louis Vuitton collection then the neverfull is a great bag we recommend buying this preloved in excellent condition as you will save hundreds of dollars off retail!
The Speedy Bandouliere makes a great starter bag because you can travel with this, be handsfree and on the go and they come in multiple sizes to suit your needs.
The Alma BB is another highly sought after style that we recommend starting off with because it can be transitioned from day to night. The classic timeless look and option to wear it as a top handle, over the shoulder or crossbody.
The Pochette Metis is a great starter bag if you are looking for the perfect casual bag that will go with just about any casual outfit.
The Felicie or the Favourite is another highly recommended starter bag for those looking for a smaller bag for everyday or to wear
Great starter bags for Fendi:
The older style Fendi Baguette can be found at amazing affordable prices on the preloved market anywhere from $500-$1500 depending on condition and makes such a great iconic starter bag if you love Fendi.
The Fendi Peekaboo is another great starter bag into Fendi even though it’s more on the expensive side if purchased brand new in stores. This is a style we recommend finding preloved in excellent condition on consignment as you’ll also be able to get an amazing deal on this style. It makes a great starter bag because of the classic sleek shape and offers various sizes, colors and styles amongst the peekaboo collection.
Great starter bags for Dior:
The Iconic and classic Lady dior that is well known for it being the bag for Princess Diana. The shape and functionality of this bag remains timeless and makes a great starter bag for those that want to get into Dior. The lady dior constantly has price increases in the boutique which also makes this bag a great investment. For the best bang for your buck we highly recommend finding the lady dior also on consignment preowned in excellent condition as you can save thousands of dollars off retail price. Take a look at the huge pre-owned Dior selection we have at Luxe Du Jour.
The Dior Saddle wallet on chain (WOC) is a price friendly entry bag into Dior for those who need something that can fit a minimal amount but the great thing about wallet on chains is that you can wear them daily and casually or dress them out with a beautiful dress.
The Dior Saddle bag has made it’s comeback and is still going strong in the fashion world as of 2024. If you are looking for a starter bag that stands out from the rest then the Dior saddle is highly recommended.
Great starter bags for Givenchy:
The Givenchy Antigona is one of the most popular styles amongst the Givenchy collection and you can find these for over 50% off retail price on the preowned consignment market in amazing condition.
The Givenchy Moon cut out is a newer style that was released but has such a timeless shape but still says GIVENCHY all over it with its logo’d hardware and subtle Givenchy logo on the front.
Great starter bags for Gucci:
The Gucci Jackie is a well-known style from decades ago and was remade into multiple different variations because of its popularity if you can find the vintage or preowned version of the Gucci Jackie we can assure you will not regret this as a great starter bag!
The Gucci Soho disco is a discontinued crossbody bag perfect for everyday and the price is affordable compared to the other Gucci styles. It offers comfort and if you like camera bags that can fit your essentials daily then you can count on the soho disco. Gucci remade this style into the blondie but you can still easily find the original version on the consignment market for prices way below retail price!
The Gucci Marmont camera bag is a style that had multiple price increases since it’s release and remains a highly coveted bag from Gucci lovers whether you prefer the camera bag style or the flap they make great starter bags into Gucci. Save hundreds of dollars off retail price by buying the Gucci pre-owned with Luxe Du Jour.
Great starter bags for Celine:
The Celine Ava with the iconic Triomphe print is here to stay in the fashion world and at such an amazing fair price for Celine. You can buy Celine Ava’s for around $1000 and we are certain you will get good use out of this bag.
The Celine Luggage tote is another popular bag great for work, shopping, everyday as they come in sizes from nano, micro and mini which is actually a large size.
The Celine Belt Bag is the epitome of quiet luxury from Celine as the style itself is recognizable only if you know Celine. Both the Celine luggage and belt bag should be purchased pre-owned in excellent condition since these styles don’t hold their value and you’ll immediately save 50%+ off retail price.
Great starter bags for Prada:
The Prada Re-Edition with the strap is such a great everyday bag and is highly coveted amongst the younger generation and moms on the go! The strap can be removed and transitioned into a beautiful evening shoulder chain bag which makes this such a great starter bag whether you need it during the day or night.
The Prada saffiano tote has been one of the most popular styles down the Prada line and it’s without a doubt a great tote bag given it has dividers, zipper compartments and the detachable strap option. The durability of the Saffiano leather is similar to the chanel caviar or Hermes epsom leathers. However, the prices of the Prada saffiano leather ranges from $3000-$4000 brand new in store as of 2024 and here at Luxe Du Jour you can buy authentic Prada saffiano totes for up to 70% off retail! If you aren’t sure about the Prada saffiano tote we recommend buying pre-owned first or renting it with Luxe Bag Rental before committing thousands of dollars to it. Luxe Du Jour has one of the largest selection of pre-owned authentic designer handbags just take a look at the amazing prices on Prada totes!
The Prada Cleo made its first debut in spring/summer of 2021 and become the most popular bag out of the prada collection that year with celebrities and influencers rocking the bag. This timeless sleek shape is just a style hard to get tired of!
Great starter bags for Goyard:
The Goyard Plumet is one of the more affordable styles down the Goyard collection and is a great everyday lightweight crossbody bag.
The Goyard St Louis tote is very similar to the Louis Vuitton neverfull for those who are looking for a large and in charge bag! This is a bag that never fails to sell fast on the resale market. Luxe Du Jour has a few Goyard totes still available for sale!
The Goyard Goyardine Vendome Mini is also very similar to the Louis Vuitton alma and has a classic shape for those who don’t want a tote bag as their starter bag. Goyard is not an overall cheap affordable brand but this style is definitely worth the investment as they sell almost immediately once they come into Luxe Du Jour.
Great starter bags for Saint Laurent:
The Saint Laurent Sac De Jour is one of the most popular and timeless styles from the Saint Laurent collection. If you are looking for a great starter bag into Saint Laurent this is a bag that has so much to offer! One of the fewer styles that have a detachable strap option as well. You can buy pre-owned in excellent condition sac de jours for amazing prices on the luxury consignment market. Luxe Du Jour has hundreds of pre-owned YSL bags available for sale and rent!
The Saint Laurent LE 5 A 7 is a newer style that was released and is a great starter bag as it’s more affordable than the other Saint Laurent styles but similar to the Prada Cleo this bag has made this appearance on many celebrities and influencers.
