11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves

If you’re looking for the best Italian handbag brands to own, we have prepared our top picks for you.

When you think of craftsmanship, attention to detail, timeless yet chic handbags, the first thing that comes to mind is most probably Italian-made bags. Italian bags are on top of the world’s best.

Bags crafted in Italy have been the crème de la crème of quality handbag-making for centuries. One can attest to the unique manufacturing process, the craftsmanship, and the utter opulence of popular Italian handbag brands like Gucci and Fendi.

These are two of the most sought-after fashion forwarders when it comes to dynamic elegance, crafting some of the best Italian designer bags to invest in.

Their iconic pieces, especially the Gucci bamboo top handle and the Fendi Baguette, have induced a high demand among the world’s elite.

Majority of wealthy customers choose Made in Italy handbags as these articles are usually not mass-produced, thus, the guarantee of special attention to workmanship. You can use these Italian purses and handbags for a double lifetime.

We’ve listed down the 11 big names in the Italian luxury handbag game and some of their iconic masterpieces that have gone down in history.

Also read about the best German handbag brands to add to your collection and the best American handbag brands to elevate your style!

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves

Coveted for their style and durability, Italian bags are absolute must-haves for many women across the globe. Here are the best Italian handbag brands every woman loves – and should have!

1. Gucci

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Gucci Orphidia small GG tote

Today we see the unwavering trend of GG monogram among generation Z. This comes as no surprise because Gucci has always been one of the best Italian brands that produce iconic handbags.

Since the fashion house’s humble start several decades ago, Gucci’s Italian heritage has kept going on. From their historic top-handle bag in bamboo wood – which was a result of material scarcity during the Japanese war (the Gucci atelier made use of bamboo wood instead of the usual leather) – to the famous GG Marmont bag, the craftsmanship is impeccably on-point.

The perfect stitching and the trademark pigskin used as the primary material in their handbags are two of the many reasons why Gucci is the top-choice label amongst rich jet-setters and A-list celebrities all over the world.

Gucci is among the oldest and most famous Italian handbag brands. One of their iconic bags is the Jackie, a hobo bag named after JFK’s widow – Jackie Kennedy.

Also read about the best Gucci bags of all time!

2. Prada

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Prada System Triangle quilted Nappa shoulder bag

We can’t help but think of the Merryl Streep and Anne Hathaway movie everytime someone mentions Prada, one of the most coveted Italian luxury handbag brands.

Prada has been operating as a fashion staple since 1913. With handbags as one of the company’s frontrunning products, it is worth noting that they have produced quite a long list of iconic handbags like the Prada Galleria and the Diagramme bags.

Prada has been achieving commercial success since 1979 with their famous nylon backpack which sets apart from other bags due to its wearability, functionality, and durability. Prada also spearheaded the use of Saffiano leather in their products along with the utilization of calfskin and other kinds of puffed leather.

I am very much drawn to Prada’s minimalism, as they have traversed the least-traveled road when it comes to marketing their bags. The company succeeded employing this strategy and today it has become a hallmark of Italian fashion alongside other fashion giants, Gucci and Fendi.

Check out this post if you want to know the most expensive bags from Prada!

3. Miu Miu

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Miu Miu Wander matelassé mini hobo bag

Oftentimes referred as the little sister of Prada, Miu Miu is one of the few Italian luxury handbag brands that caters to the young people in funky, playful but stylish way.

Matelassé leather, which has been a signature Miu Miu house code since its introduction in 1993, is the brand’s one and only signifier. It is a forever icon with its amazing quilting technique and impeccable craftsmanship. It was way ahead of its time during its inception back in the early `90s.

Miu Miu’s quilted handbags are popular among celebrity A-listers like Blake Lively, Rachel McAdams, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, and Rihanna who have been seen wearing some of the brand’s bag styles. Some of these bags include the Miu Miu nappa cloquet bag, matelessé clutch, and Coffer hobo.

We personally love the classic matelassé clutch as it really gives that aesthetic vibe in a sophisticated manner.

Miuccia Prada’s family calls her Miu Miu. Check out our post on the best Italian fashion designers to learn more!

4. Fendi

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Fendi Baguette shoulder bag

Since their fur business during the first few years of their operation, Fendi has long been producing a vast collection of iconic handbags that captured the hearts of bag hags.

The opulent House of Fendi, one of the best Italian handbag brands you can buy, is recognizable with the Lagerfeld-stenciled FF logo on most of their pieces.

Without a doubt, the baguette – that iconic signature bag designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997 – is one of the bags of the house that really changed the game. It permeated every fashion afficionado in the `90s after its cameo in Sex and the City with Sarah Jessica Parker carrying the bag.

It was an effective advertisement because after the baguette’s appearance in the film, the bag immediately had a cult following and came to be called as the new “It” bag of the time. And years after, you could still see the bag being worn by celebrities and influencers like Bella Hadid, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian.

During New York Fashion Week 2022, Fendi celebrated the baguette’s 25th birthday with a fashion show dedicated to the famous handbag with revolutionalized and re-imagined forms of it.

Fendi has another It bag called the Fendi Peekabo which debuted on Spring-Summer 2009. After the show, celebrities had been seen wearing the bag. The same thing happened to the Fendi Spy bag, a bag crafted in 2005 for a “more-secured walk in the park” – as Karl Lagerfeld had once been quoted.

Click here if you want to know the most affordable Fendi bags!

5. Bottega Veneta

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Chain Cassette leather shoulder bag

Bottega Veneta’s signature intrecciato, or the intertwined woven bags, did really well to the company as a luxury fashion player in the world.

The “less is more” approach is the company’s biggest claim to fame. Bearing no identifiable brand logo, an ordinary layman without an in-depth knowledge in luxury brands would find it difficult to recognize Bottega Veneta.

The brand’s approach to marketing is really uncoventional and even witty, if I may say so, because the mystery really worked for the bag’s pivotal achievement of cult status since the time it came out.

The intrecciato first appeared theatrically in the 1980 film American Gigolo, where Lauren Hutton is seen holding a Bottega Veneta clutch bag. Suddenly everyone was talking about the bag.

Bottega Veneta – a name which means “Venetian shop” in Italian – has come to represent classic sophistication through their signature intrecciato, which makes every Bottega Veneta bag such an eye candy.

6. Furla

Furla Candy bag

Instantly recognizable by their eye-catching pastel-colored candy bags, Furla is an Italian handbag brand that started in 1927 in the city of Bologna in Northern Italy.

Italian handags from Furla convey the inner classic Italian chic, tapering silhouette and a classic style. One of the most popular bags of Furla is the Candy Boston bag, with its colorful and cute design that invokes nostalgia for Polly Pocket dolls.

Furla’s “affordable price range and high quality” makes this Italian handbag brand so popular among young women.

Made from recycled thermoplastic polyurethane material, Furla Candy bags are sustainable to the environment, a conscious practice adhered to by the house to help the conservation of Mother Earth.

Other notable bag styles of Furla include the 1927 top handle, Charlie, and Miastella tote.

7. Valentino

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Valentino VLogo leather shoulder bag

Valentino, in the recent years, is synonymous with Zendaya, a Hollywood actress famous for being one of today’s fashion stunners. She is frequently seen donning archival Valentino dresses in red carpets and movie premiers.

During the early days of Valentino, which was founded by Valentino Garavani in Rome, this Italian brand was not as popular as the others for producing It bags. However, as the new millenium approched, the house managed to keep up with the bandwagon of cult bags and revolutionized the house’s style.

One of the recognizable aesthetics of a Valentino handbag is the rock stud in both big and small sizes. This is featured in different bag styles like the Rockstud leather camera bag and nappa spike bag.

Among their most popular iconic handbags include the V-sling leather bag and their V-logo signature leather bags.

8. Versace

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Versace Palazzo Empire bag

With its recognizable iconic prints and the Medusa logo that serves as the house’s important motif, Versace is the ultimate niche fashion house when it comes to symbolism and visuals.

From red carpet dresses to accessories, Versace has been serving the luxury palate of every generation.

When it comes to handbags, their most sought-after is the hobo bag, which is a celebrity-approved wardrobe staple. From Britney Spears and Eva Longoria to Jessica Biel and Fergie, it enjoyed an It bag status in the early 2000s.

Years later, another It bag was born with the introduction of Versace signature tote, a favorite of Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Nicole Kidman.

Another iconic Versace handbag is the Palazzo Empire bag, which has been seen on Selena Gomez’s arm in a paparazzi photo.

9. Dolce & Gabbana

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
D&G Sicily bag

Dolce & Gabbana is popular with their small luxury handbags. Rarely do they make big totes as they keep to their tradition of catering to the elite and sophisticated clientele.

It is noteworthy that D&G makes bags that mirror the classic Sicilian woman in traditional Italian craftsmanship. Sicilian culture is essential to the D&G aesthetic because of its timeless opulence.

Speaking of Sicilian, one of the most famous bags that D&G has produced is the Sicily, which debuted in 2009 as part of their Spring-Summer `09 collection. One of the best Italian leather handbags you can own, the Sicily reflects the brand’s elegance, passion, brightness, and love for women.

The Sicily is a favorite of singer Taylor Swift. In fact, she has been photographed many times wearing the bag on her off-duties as a musician. Fellow musician Rita Ora loves the bag and so does the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.

10. Tod’s

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Tod’s D-Bag

Established in 1920, Tod’s is best-known for its footwear. However, the attention to detail in all of their products makes this Italian fashion brand one of the most finest leather makers in the world. Tod’s is recognized for producing high-quality Italian purses that some of them made it to the list of handbags that sit atop the pedestal of “It” bags.

One of these It bags is the D-Bag, a highly-structured handbag that is an all-around tote for everyday use. The meticulous and detailed process of the making of the bag is really incredible. No wonder the bag is a favorite among royalty, including Princess Caroline of Monaco and the two princesses of Wales – Kate Middleton and her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. The D-bag was actually named after the latter.

Tod’s also has bag styles that serve timeless chic vibes, such as the T Shoulder bag, D-Styling bag, C-Bag, Vaso, and Shirt Hobo, among others.

11. Cocinelle

11 Best Italian Handbag Brands Every Woman Loves
Cocinelle Arlettis backpack

Founded in 1978 not far from the city of Parma, Cocinelle is deemed one of the best Italian brands for affordable luxury handbags as well as SLGs (small leather goods) and accessories.

However, despite the company’s claim of being an accessible luxury brand, they are faithful to the “Made in Italy” merchandise mark – adhering to the strict production processes and using only the finest Italian materials.

Coccinelle’s design consistently oozes with fresh and playful vibes that suit both casual and chic styles. Every Cocinelle handbag is durable, with great attention to detail, and designed as per current trends.

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