Classic Handbags Under $500 Great For Petites

There is no denying that a great classic handbag is the finishing touch to an outfit. Over the years, I have learned that investing in beautiful leather handbags that you will enjoy for many years to come is the way to go. You can find great handbags under $500 that will look stylish for many years. You just need to know where to look.
I am going to break down how to find a great classic handbag under $500 that will look great on your petite frame. These handbags will make you feel sophisticated and chic and most importantly they won’t break the bank.
Here are a few other petite accessory posts that I have written that you might want to check out.
- The Best Shoe Styles To Wear If You Are Petite
- How To Choose The Best Earrings For Small Face Shapes
- How To Find Flattering Sunglasses For A Small Face
- Best Boots For Petites: How To Find THE Ones For Your Short Legs
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Classic Handbags Under $500 That You Will Enjoy For Years
It is possible to find classic handbags that don’t break the bank. There are many designers out there who make classic handbags from quality leather that will last you for years. Many of them you will find just on their websites or at smaller stores.
Personally, I prefer a handbag that is sleek and doesn’t have logos or names all over it. I would rather people recognize the fact that I am carrying a stylish handbag versus a handbag advertising the designer.
What we want to find for your handbag collection are options that are timeless. That means that you can pull it out in five years or beyond and not feel like you look dated when you leave the house. Because if you are like me you never leave the house without your handbag.
What Makes a Handbag Timeless
A timeless handbag is one that is so good or beautiful that it is not affected by changes in society or fashion. So what qualities do we look for? A timeless handbag will be versatile and elegant. It will have clean, simple lines and be made of quality leather.
What Color Of Classic Handbag Should You Own?
Darker colors are good for colder months and lighter colors are good for warmer months. You always want to coordinate the handbag with the color palette of your wardrobe. Every woman should own a black purse that they love to carry. A tan/beige or grey is another option that easily complements many colors.
After you have found those two basic categories others that you might want to consider adding would be burgundy, navy blue, forest or olive green, cream/white, and red for a fun pop of color.
9 Classic Handbags Under $500
Here are classic handbags under $500 that will have you feeling chic and confident every time you leave the house.
Cuyana Concertina

Handbags from Cuyana have been a go-to for me for several years now. I have a couple of their bags that I have had for at least 5-7 years and still pull them out regularly. They still look as good as when I purchased them.
The company’s motto is that your life is simplified by a fewer, better wardrobe. All of their products are sustainably made and designed to last. Not only do they have great handbags but they also have great tote bags and small leather goods. Another favorite handbag of mine for petites that is a classic shape is the Double Loop bag.
Tusk Large Camera Bag
Another favorite brand of mine is Tusk. This camera bag is a favorite everyday bag and has traveled many places with me. It is a great bag to carry when you are traveling.
All of Tusk’s bags and accessories are made of Italian leather. They are a family-owned business that handcrafts all of their products to last for many years. They always make their affordable handbags in neutral colors and in fun colors. This is definitely a brand that I would recommend shopping for your classic handbag that is a pop of color.
If you don’t need a camera bag for your handbag collection, then the other shape that works well for petites is the Gaia Saraswati Cross Body Bag. It is a nice elongated shape that helps to make petite frames look a little taller.
Sezane Milo
Sezane is a newer fashion brand. They just celebrated 10 years of designing clothing. Their designs are inspired by Paris and the people who call it home. They are very focused on sustainability and giving back to the community. Sezane’s focus is on classic, sustainable pieces for your wardrobe. Their wardrobe essentials are pieces that you wear on repeat season after season. All of their handbags are designed the same way. Timeless bags that you will reach for over and over again.
The Milo is made by their Italian atelier. It is a crossbody bag that can be worn in three different lengths for versatility. The simple gold clasp just adds a touch of elegance. You can’t go wrong with this bag in any color.
The Abel is another style that is very good for petites. It is a two-toned bag that just adds a beautifully textured bag to your OOTD. The jewelry-inspired gold chain just adds a nice special touch of elegance to the bag. This bag could easily be used for day or night.
Demellier Mini Venice
Demellier handbags are designed to empower women. All of their handbags are made ethically and sustainably in Spain. The brands name and designs are a mix of old and new, and heritage and modernity.
The Mini Venice bag is cute and practical. It is a lightweight bag that can be worn as a crossbody or can be carried by its top handle. It is available in brown, black, and forest green.
Leatherology Kress Mini Top Handle Bag
Leatherology makes bags to elevate the everyday. It is female-led and their bags are created by women for women. The company’s logo is not on the front of their bags so you can personalize your bag if you want to. The goal is for your Leatherology bag to be an expression of who you are.
The Kress Mini is made of full-grain leather and is available in over ten colors. It has a removable strap so you can carry this as a top handle bag or as a crossbody.
Bene Holmes
Ellie Schwing is the creative behind Bene Handbags. She is from New Orleans, but spends most of her time in Italy creating these unique handbags. You can definitely see the influence of her hometown in her designs. She chose the name “Bene” because it basically means good in Italian. I think that her bags and good and you can find great classic designs in her line that just have a little extra personality.
All of the bags are made in Italy. The Holmes will be your new favorite everyday bag. It is available in neutral and fun colors. My favorite is the blue croc.
Loeffler Randall Mallory Woven Crossbody
Loeffler Randall is another favorite brand for me where I find great handbags under $500. Not only do I like their handbags, but I also love their shoes. They started as a shoe company in 2004 and now make handbags, ready-to-wear, and accessories. Loeffler Randall makes all of their products in small batches with attention to every detail.
The Mallory is a great size and shape for petite frames. It has a more casual timeless look to it. Also, they make some of the most beautiful fabric clutches that add great texture and interest to any outfit.
Thanks, Let’s Stay In Touch
Thanks so much for stopping by my post today. I hope that I helped you discover a new style of classic handbags under $500 that you will enjoy adding to your closet. Try a new style or color from time to time. You never know what you might like if you don’t try.
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