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04 Jul

14 Sustainable Luxury Handbags Worth the Investment

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We went on the hunt for “Good” and “Great” accessories brands creating beautiful, high-quality, and sustainable luxury handbags worth the investment.

We want bags that don’t cost the Earth

You’ve surely heard the phrase “luxury bags are an investment”, but the reality is, a lot of designer purses aren’t that great for people, the planet, and animals. So is it really worth it if your investment negatively impacts our planet and its inhabitants?

The good news is there’s a growing number of conscious accessories brands creating high-quality, beautiful, timeless pieces that are also more ethical and sustainable.

We looked through the Good On You database and found some amazing “Good” and “Great” accessories brands creating sustainable luxury handbags that are really worth investing in.

Our list includes a few classic pieces, but also some unique finds, like the Mashu (UK) brass plated bucket bag, behno’s (US) bubblegum pink crossbody bag, or Santos by Monica’s (US) baguette bag.

Our favourite sustainable luxury handbags

Mashu

Rated: Good
A black luxury handbag with gold handles by Mashu.

Calliope Black – Ships internationally from the UK

Mashu is a British sustainable and vegan accessories label specialising in handbags. Mashu’s environmental rating is “Good”, crafting its exterior with vegan leather alternatives while its interiors feature vegan suede made from recycled polyester, ensuring you never have to sacrifice your morals for style again. We love the Calliope’s structure and signature wiggle handle in plated brass, which gives the bag a unique look.

See the rating.

Shop Mashu.

Raven + Lily

Rated: Good
A blue boho bag by Raven + Lily.

Liya Tote – Ships internationally from the US

Raven + Lily supports local female artisans to create handmade jewellery, bags, and homewares. This US brand’s products are eco-friendly and empower communities through fair wages, healthcare, and education. Crafted by hand from sustainable materials in Ethiopia, Raven + Lily’s Liya Tote brings us back to the 1970s soft shoulder bags.

See the rating.

Shop Raven + Lily.

Shop Raven + Lily @ Cerqular.

O My Bag

Rated: Good
A black classic bucket bag, made from leather with a heat pressed croco pattern.

Bobbi Bucket Bag – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

O My Bag merges style and a responsible approach, creating vintage inspired, rugged-chic bags made from eco-friendly, high quality materials. The Dutch label also uses low impact and non-toxic dyes in its products. The Bobbi is your classic bucket bag, made from leather with a heat pressed croco pattern, which creates a pattern that is unique to each individual bag.

See the rating.

Shop O My Bag.

BEEN London

Rated: Good
An orange handbag made from recycled plastic bottles from BEEN London.

Esmé Handbag – Ships internationally from the UK

BEEN London is a London-based brand turning waste into timeless accessories you’d want to use every day. All their products are made of materials that have been something else in a previous life, including recycled leather offcuts and plastic bottles. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind bag to add a touch of luxury to your outfits, then look no further than the Esmé bag. Designed by Candice Brathwaite and named after their daughter, the handbag is handcrafted in BEEN’s East London workshop and is made entirely from premium certified recycled materials.

See the rating.

Shop BEEN London.

Shop BEEN London @ Cerqular.

WE-AR4

Rated: Good
Someone with a responsibly made, vintage-inspired top-handle handbag by WE-AR4.

The Flight Bag – Ships within the US

WE-AR4 is a US based design-to-wear essentials brand for an effortless style. Founded by fashion industry veterans, it merges intelligent design and uncompromising style. Rather than developing new materials, it rescues existing ones, choosing to “thrift” high-quality leathers and luxury textiles left over from other brands, giving them new life. Like, the Flight Bag which takes a vintage silhouette and transforms it into an ultra-wearable, contemporary classic.

See the rating.

Shop WE-AR4.

Sans Beast

Rated: Good
A Pistachio Mini Tote, made from Global Recycled Standard certified PU, with a faux croc embossed finish.

Pistachio Mini Tote – Ships internationally from Australia

Founded in 2018 with the sole purpose of delivering pieces that had beauty – without the beast, Sans Beast is an Australian accessories brand creating luxury vegan bags and accessories cruelty-free. They are particular about their sourcing using eco PU, Global Recycled Standard certified materials and organic Cactus material, a brilliant, low impact organic material that is partially biodegradable made from Desserto Pelle. Add a touch of colour to your wardrobe with Sans Beast’s Pistachio Mini Tote, which is made from Global Recycled Standard certified PU, with a faux croc embossed finish.

See the rating.

Shop Sans Beast.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good
A beige handbag with gold chain handles by Stella McCartney.

Tiny Falabella Faux Leather Bag – Ships internationally from the UK

Tiny, but mighty. If you’re looking for a timeless piece, the Falabella is for you. Although many luxury brands have been criticised for their wasteful and harmful practices, British designer Stella McCartney has been committed to operating a modern and responsible business for almost two decades. In line with the brand’s cruelty free ethos, the Falabella is gorgeously crafted from a non-leather alternative.

See the rating.

Shop Stella McCartney @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney @ Labell-D.

Shop Stella McCartney Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney.

A A K S

Rated: Good
A colourful bucket bag with fringe detailing by A A K S.

Tia Ruffle – Ships internationally from the UK

A A K S is a fashion brand handcrafted in Ghana that seeks to offer women products with a strong sense of identity and quality. A A K S’ Tia Ruffle is crafted in a bucket shape with fringe detailing, perfect for warm summer nights.

See the rating.

Shop A A K S.

KAYU

Rated: Good
A black sustainable straw and wooden ball clasps clutch from KAYU.

Livia Straw Clutch – Ships internationally from the US

Handcrafted bags, hats, and accessories. KAYU commits to using natural materials such as straw, wood, and shells. It also partners with local artisans in the Philippines to produce its products. The Livia clutch features sustainable straw and wooden ball clasps to combine sophistication and simplicity.

See the rating.

Shop KAYU.

Shop KAYU Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

behno

Rated: Good
A bubblegum pink baguette bag by behno.

Simone Mini Crossbody Bag – Ships internationally from the US

behno is a New York based brand that aims to bring together luxury design and ethical thinking, believing that you’re buying more than just a bag. Another colourful bag on our radar, behno’s Simone bag is handcrafted from Italian Nappa leather and is equipped with an adjustable strap, making it a great companion for both day and night outings.

See the rating.

Shop behno.

Santos by Monica

Rated: Good
A tan handmade vegan cactus leather handbag with wide round handles.

Amelia Mini Baguette – Ships internationally from the US

Santos by Monica is a US-based slow fashion brand that focuses on timelessness, quality, and sustainability. Baguette bags have made their return. Santos by Monica’s Amelia bag is handmade in the US from vegan cactus leather.

See the rating.

Shop Santos by Monica.

Nisolo

Rated: Good

Simone Convertible Shopper – Ships internationally from the US

Nisolo is an American brand that prioritises living wages throughout its supply chains while also working to combat climate change. The Simone Convertible Shopper is the perfect bag because of its structure, shape, and size. It’s made to hold all the essentials for your day out of the house.

See the rating.

Shop Nisolo @ Made Trade.

Shop Nisolo.

von Holzhausen

Rated: Good
A tan and white circle bag by von Holzhausen.

The Circle Crossbody Bag – Ships internationally from the US

von Holzhausen is a US-based innovative material company on a mission to fight climate change and replace animal leather with a scientific, optimistic approach. Created using bamboo, the Circle bag is perfect to carry all of your essentials.

See the rating.

Shop von Holzhausen.

Balenciaga (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start
A white leather hourglass handbag by Balenciaga.

Pre-Loved Balenciaga Handbags – Ships internationally from France

Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house founded in 1919 by Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián. The Kering-owned brand has been making some efforts to reduce its environmental impact, setting targets to reduce its direct and indirect emissions, and implementing initiatives to reduce water use.

See the rating.

Shop Balenciaga Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Check out our favourite sustainable handbags

Editor's note

Feature image via behno, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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