The United States is known for many things — giant cars, smiley personalities, and air conditioning in every home, to name a few — but many people think handbags aren't one of them. We're here to prove that American handbag brands are just as high-quality and stylish as our transatlantic neighbors' are. While you don't need a special occasion to shop for these top American purse brands, there's always one right around the corner, just in case.
11 Famous American Handbag Brands That Were Born in the USA
Anytime you're shopping for something new, you want to get the best of the best. That's where our list of fabulous American handbag brands comes in handy. Some you might recognize, and others you may discover for the first time, but you're sure to fall in love with each and every one.
Cole Haan
Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan founded Cole Haan, initially a men's footwear brand, in 1928. Originally based out of Chicago, Illinois, the company is currently headquartered in Greenland, New Hampshire, with New York City serving as the design center. Cole Haan's handbags are rather simplistic with clean lines and leather details. They offer styles such as satchel, crossbody, mini, shoulder, clutch, bucket, and tote designs. Prices range from about $89 to $550.
2. Coach
Coach is a staple of the American handbag scene. Founded in 1941, the New York City-based company started as a family business with six leather artisans. That dedication to craftsmanship is just as prevalent in their vintage handbags as it is in their current lineup. It's this timeless sensibility that makes them one of America's leading handbag companies. You can find their leather and signature canvas style handbags in bucket, carryall, crossbody, courier bag, hobo, satchel, tote, and clutch designs. Prices range from $90 to $10,000.
3. Dooney and Bourke
Dooney and Bourke, a mainstay of the 70s fashion scene, began in 1975 in Norwalk, Connecticut. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship in both leather and canvas, Dooney and Bourke offers handbag designs that are perfect for everyday use. Shop Dooney and Bourke, and you'll find handbags in satchel, hobo, bucket, messenger, clutch, crossbody, shoulder, and tote designs. Prices range from $65 to $850.
4. Fossil American Handbags
Known for its fashionable watches, Fossil arrived on the scene in 1984 and shook up the fashion watch landscape. Fossil handbags have sophisticated, clean lines in leather and non-leather materials. You can find quality handbag styles in tote, satchel, shoulder, crossbody, work, hobo, saddle, camera, and other designs. The prices range from around $100 to $300.
5. Kate Spade
Founded in 1993 by the late Kate Spade and her husband, Andy Spade, Kate Spade is a notable American purse brand. Neiman Marcus purchased the sophisticated luxury handbag company in 2006, and in 2017, Tapestry, Inc. (Coach) took the brand off their hands. The company continues producing youthful, fun, and chic designs in crossbody, tote, camera, satchel, shoulder, messenger, clutch, mini, box, and belt styles. Prices range from around $168 to $500.
Related: 13 of the Most Affordable Designer Handbag Brands for Budget-Friendly Style
6. Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs launched his handbag line in 2000, having gained experience and notoriety during his tenure as Louis Vuitton's Creative Director. Marc Jacobs handbags embrace casual designs to evening-style purses that have a bold and distinctive feel. More recent styles boldly feature the printed name across the bags, so if you prefer a more subtle signature, you may want to shop for earlier designs. Their purses come in crossbody, tote, camera, mini, box, frame, letter, and other designs. Prices range from around $150 to $1,500.
7. Mansur Gavriel
Mansur Gavriel is the brainchild of designers Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel, who set out to create a better bucket bag and tote. These iconic handbags propelled the modern luxury brand into stardom. The combination of utilitarian sensibility and aesthetic beauty makes these handbags a highly prized addition to any closet. Their various styles include bucket, tote, mini, clutch, pouch, crossbody, and more. Prices range from around $35 to $1,200.
8. Michael Kors
World-renowned and award-winning fashion designer Michael Kors launched his luxury accessory and ready-to-wear label in 1981. His handbag brand features leather and logo-print coated canvas purses in shoulder, crossbody, clutch, tote, satchel, sling pack, messenger, and other designs. His designs are a mainstay of the mid-priced luxury market thanks to his highly functional (and relatively affordable) totes. Prices range from around $260 to $3,300.
9. Rebecca Minkoff
Designer Rebecca Minkoff, along with co-owner Uri Minkoff, launched their handbag brand in 2005. Rebecca Minkoff's luxury handbag designs bring an edgy playfulness to more traditional styles. Her first handbag — Morning After Bag (MAB) — was an immediate success. They make several styles, including clutches, crossbodies, satchels, shoulder bags, totes, saddlebags, hobos, and other designs. Prices range from around $130 to $500.
10. Tory Burch
Tory Burch's handbag collection blends vintage and chic modern aesthetics in a unique and distinguishable style. A relatively new brand that launched in 2004, Tory Burch has quickly made a name for itself. You can find various handbag styles in their collection, including shoulder, crossbody, satchel, half-moon, mini, clutch, tote, and evening bags. Prices range from around $210 to $1,400.
11. Vera Bradley
If you're a millennial, then you'd recognize this brand as well as you know your best friend's voice. Vera Bradley is a quintessential American handbag brand, and we couldn't have a list without giving them a nod. Their iconic signature patterned fabric handbags are well-known for their colorful (often whacky) designs. Vera Bradley sells a lot of styles, including belts, minis, shoulders, totes, crossbodies, and more. Prices range from around $50 to $175.
9 More American Handbag Brands to Explore
Fashion is a trillion-dollar industry. Where there's a lot of money to be made, there are a lot of businesses trying to capitalize on it. While these 11 brands certainly top the list, there are a plethora of other American purse brands you should explore.
- Alexander Wang
- Proenza Schouler
- 3.1 Philip Lim
- Anine Bing
- Boyy
- Edas
- The Row
- Telfar
- HOBO Bags
American Handbag Brands Do Their Country Justice
While not every American venture is one to be proud of, these handbag brands continue to prove that Europe isn't the only fashion titan of the world. From legacy mid-century brands that have stood the test of time to modern brands making a name for themselves, these famous US purse brands are worth exploring.
