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From work totes to weekend crossbodies, these are the sustainable handbag brands our editors carry — including the best vegan leather bags, upcycled leather totes, and affordable everyday options.
As consumers, we’re passionate about knowing whether the people who make our clothes and accessories earn fair wages and work in safe, ethical conditions. Below we’ve compiled a list of our favorite brands that check those boxes — and make gorgeous, eco-friendly totes, handbags, and weekenders for everyday use, summer travels, and beyond.
What materials & certifications should you look for in sustainable purses?
Carrying ethical handbags isn’t just about being trendy — it’s about making a statement with your style. Material is everything when it comes to the sustainability and ethical practices behind the manufacturing of your bag, as well as the quality of materials and longevity of your bag.
For lightweight and casual totes and bags, plant-based sustainable materials you should consider are GOTS-certified organic cotton, hemp, and linen. For something a little more durable, bags made from recycled materials like rPET or bio-based leather alternatives make for great vegan alternatives to traditional leather bags. And if you prefer a traditional leather bag, go for a pre-owned leather purse or one made with responsibly sourced leather can have less of an environmental impact on water, energy usage, chemicals, and waste. Leather Working Group certified is a certification you should look out for if you choose to shop for new leather bags. Other notable certifications to keep an eye out for are Fair Trade for supporting better trading conditions, the Global Recycled Standard for verifying recycled content usage, and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 to ensure your purse is free from harmful chemicals.
When you opt for ethical handbags, you’re saying no to unethical practices like animal cruelty and exploitative labor. Plus, you’re supporting brands that prioritize sustainability and fair trade practices through conscious fashion choices.
Some of our listed bags and purses are American-made, while others are upcycled. The list includes vegan totes and artisan-made handbags, too! (And for second-hand designer bags, check out Vestiaire Collective!)
Our criteria
Our editors have worn, researched, and scoured thousands of customer reviews to select the best brands for sustainable handbags. We regularly update this list with emerging favorites that meet the criteria below.
- SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS | Each of these handbags is made with sustainable materials, including upcycled leather, recycled fabrics, and eco-friendly materials, while minimizing waste and excess production in their manufacturing.
- CONSTRUCTION | Artisan craftsmanship and heritage techniques are employed in the making of many of these handbags, ensuring they are durable and long-lasting while looking and feeling luxurious.
- AFFORDABILITY | If you’re on a budget, you’re in luck. We’ve included affordable, sustainable handbag options on this list.
- ETHICS | Each of these sustainable brands is intentional in sourcing and manufacturing their handbags, employing cruelty-free practices, and ensuring safe and fair working conditions for their employees.
If you’re looking to update more of your wardrobe, check out our fair trade clothing guide, our roundup of sustainable shoe brands, and our ethically made jewelry guide!
Best Overall | Best Vegan | Most Affordable
1. HYER GOODS
Best For | Upcycled leather
Price Range | $165–$355
HYER GOODS was founded by Dana Cohen, a longtime fashion insider who became increasingly aware of the industry’s waste problem. Instead of contributing to the cycle, she set out to design a brand rooted in circularity—one that transforms what already exists into something beautiful and lasting.
Each HYER GOODS piece is crafted from luxury leftovers—high-end surplus leather and textiles that would otherwise go to waste. After moving its entire supply chain to Italy last year, the brand now works with some of the world’s most skilled artisans and finest leathers, combining meticulous craftsmanship with a commitment to sustainability. The result: limited-edition accessories that feel both elevated and ethical, where every cut tells a story of renewal. HYER GOODS has also built giving back into its business model, donating 1% of monthly profits to organizations including Everytown for Gun Safety, the Malala Fund, and Transanta. It’s a thoughtful reminder that true sustainability extends beyond materials. Read our full review of the brand here.
HYER GOODS Review | “I am so glad I got this bag, and it’s perfect for a day or night out. I love that you can change the length and look with the added belts. The quality itself is so beautiful: it’s so soft yet durable. Debating about getting other colors and sizes! Love it!” – Annie (See all reviews)
2. Cuyana
Best For | Elegant styles, monogramming
Price Range | $128–$548
Cuyana lives by a simple mantra: “Fewer, better.” The brand believes that style is more important than fashion, and quality trumps quantity. You’ll rarely see our editor without her caramel Easy Tote from Cuyana. (She’s always been a proponent of big bags, and is glad they’re back in style and so, so chic!) Cuyana creates artisan leather bags for the modern person, with soft neutral colors and enough space for just what you need. The brand also believes in one of our favorite concepts — the Lean Closet — and provides a free shipping label (available internationally!) with every domestic online order, so that you can fill a box with used clothes and receive a credit. Be more intentional, sustainable, and live by “fewer, better.”
Cuyana Review | “Just received this bag today. As a writer and teacher, I am always looking for a bag that can carry a book, journal, pens, and whatever else I need to carry. This bag is perfect. While my 13-inch pro laptop fits, the computer’s industrial weight feels too heavy to carry in this purse — let alone any purse. I am glad I settled on this shoulder bag, even though I had been needing a crossbody. However, when I tried on the bag today, the longest shoulder strap length fits comfortably as a short, close-to-the-chest crossbody. I am so glad that I purchased this. It solves all the issues that I had kept encountering as I was looking for the right bag for over a year.” – Natalie (See all reviews)
3. Allégorie
Best For | Vegan, plant-based leather
Price Range | $198–$575
Vegan leather made from … food waste? We’re listening! Allégorie creates beautiful wallets and bags from plant-based food byproducts, saving the landfill from an excess of GHG emissions. Materials include apple, pineapple, and cactus, which provide the beautiful texture and feel of leather without harming any animals (or using petroleum-based plastics!). The small batch, women-owned brand makes all their goods in NYC, offering fair wages and full compensation with benefits to their workers in Queens. In addition to their ethical practices and eco-friendly materials, their bags are gorgeous.
4. Sézane
Best For | Bucket bags, raffia bags
Price Range | $160–$475
Sézane creates timeless pieces that also respect the planet and its people. This certified B Corp uses majority natural and sustainable materials, including raffia, chrome-free leather, and cotton, for its gorgeous collection of bags, wallets, and baskets. (Many can also be personalized!) Throughout production, the team’s efforts are powered by renewable energy and sent in eco-friendly packaging (ships internationally). To date, Sézane has gifted more than five million euros to support education and equal opportunity for children.
5. Quince
Best For | Affordable leather bags
Price Range | $40–$130
Quince makes “affordable luxury” a reality. Using certifications — like OEKO-TEX, BSCI, and GOTS — as well as sustainable packaging whenever possible, the team refuses to sacrifice ethics and sustainability for affordability. You can find Italian leather and vegan crossbody purses, belt bags, totes, and even toiletry bags and travel jewelry cases to help keep you organized all day long. Ships to the US.
Quince Review | “Great quality product, the leather is really soft. Very versatile, I can see this going with many outfits. it’s big enough to fit all the essentials and still very elegant.” – Emily B. (See all reviews)
6. Pixie Mood
Best For | On-trend vegan bags, wallets
Price Range | $36–$137
Pixie Mood’s handbags are socially responsible, sustainable, and stylish. Since 2010, this brand has crafted functional and fun bags made from recycled and solvent-free vegan leather. Based out of Canada (shipping available to Canada and the US!), Pixie Mood has gained worldwide recognition for its standout products — RFID-equipped wallets and cases, monogrammed pouches, and chic crossbodies. With dozens of styles and every color of the rainbow, you’ll be sporting one of these pieces for years to come.
Pixie Mood Review | “I love my new crossbody bag—perfect size for my phone, a small wallet, and a couple of small misc items. The color I chose, blueberry wrinkled, is fun and great for day-to-day wearing. Thanks, Pixie Mood, for making fashionable vegan bags!” – Kim E. (See all reviews)
7. Baggu
Best For | Durable, everyday bags
Price Range | $14–$78
To give you a sense of how much we love Baggu, our Senior Editor uses a Baggu crescent bag daily and totes a reusable Baby Baggu within it. We love the brand’s thoughtful attention to the materials, production, and design (read more here). Baggu’s reusable totes are cut from a continuous piece of nylon material, and then the waste is used to make handy carrying pouches. Its factories in China are audited yearly by a third party, ensuring safe, fair working conditions. You can even send your bag back to be recycled! This is our go-to bag for just about everything — grocery shopping, beach days, road trips, laundry hauls. Hot tip: It makes for the most fun (and affordable!) gift. Worldwide shipping available!
8. ABLE
Best For | Handcrafted leather bags
Price Range | $48–$398
Handcrafted with durable leather in Brazil (and a few upcycled leather options as well), ABLE’s versatile handbags, purses, and backpacks are made to last a lifetime. Available in a number of sizes and styles, these bags are designed with organization in mind, helping you stash your must-haves in the available front pockets and interior slots — it’s perfect for your keys, wallet, phone, and makeup. Choose from premium pebbled leather, in a variety of colors for a touch of sophistication to any outfit.
ABLE Review | “Love This Bag!! Soft leather, unique knotted handles, long strap option. It’s the perfect size and a casual stylish shape, has useful pockets, smooth zippers. It’s my daily bag! People ask where I got it and I love the opportunity to share the ABLE brand with new supporters.” (See all reviews)
9. Stella McCartney
Best For | Designer vegan totes & shoulder bags
Price Range | $550–$2,650
Since Stella McCartney launched 20+ years ago, the team has never used leather, fur, or any animal byproducts in its luxury line. So while these handbags have the style and sheen of leather, they’re made with solvent-free alternatives instead (and some are woven from sustainable raffia!). Many of the handbags are styled with the recognizable Stella logo, though you can also find chain-lined totes, simple wallets, and printed designs here, too. It’s all luxury for a lifetime. The brand ships internationally.
10. VIVAIA
Best For | Patterned totes
Price Range | $49–$129
Since 2020, VIVAIA‘s been crafting classy, one-of-a-kind crossbody bags and totes that do good for both you and the planet. Made with recycled plastic bottles, each bag is made without any excessive waste, is mindfully designed to help you stay organized, and is machine washable! These bags look luxe and won’t break the bank, with the highest-priced bag maxing out at $129. Worldwide shipping is available.
VIVAIA Review | “Delighted with the product! Much better quality than I anticipated for the price. I bought it for an overseas travel tote (I put my purse AND little dog in my bag, and use it for shopping!). Lightweight but durable and folds neatly down to put in a suitcase. Lovely pale green/blue color.” – Kristy M. (See all reviews)
Featured image from Hyer Goods
