10 Sustainable Purses For Fall 2026
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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. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our favorite brands below 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. Choosing a purse crafted through sustainable, ethical manufacturing has a huge impact, from how materials are sourced to the conditions workers experience, and even to your bag’s quality and longevity. 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 through conscious fashion choices.
For lightweight, casual totes and bags, consider plant-based sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton, hemp, and linen. For something more durable, bags made from recycled materials like rPET or bio-based leather alternatives make great vegan alternatives to traditional leather bags. If you prefer a traditional leather bag, choose a pre-owned leather purse or one made with responsibly sourced leather, which can have less environmental impact on water, energy use, chemicals, and waste. Look for the Leather Working Group (LWG) certification if you choose to shop for new leather bags. Other notable certifications to watch for include Fair Trade Certified for better trading conditions, the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) for verifying recycled content, and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 to ensure your purse is free of harmful chemicals.
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!)
How to care for leather and suede:
A well-made handbag is an investment, and with proper care, it can last for years, if not decades. Leather bags benefit from an occasional wipe-down with a soft cloth and a gentle conditioner to keep the material from drying out or cracking, while suede is best maintained with a suede brush to remove dirt and restore its texture. Our editors have personally used and loved Leather Honey, an affordable option for cleaning and conditioning leather with nontoxic formulas. (Just be sure to use products specifically made for suede when caring for those bags!) We also recommend reaching out to the brand you purchased your bag from, as many have their own care and cleaning tips for specific materials. And don’t forget about repairs! A worn strap or broken zipper is often an easy fix, especially when it means getting a few more years out of a bag you love.
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.
- CONSTRUCTION | Many of these handbags use artisan craftsmanship and heritage techniques, ensuring they are durable and long-lasting while still 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 about sourcing and manufacturing their handbags, using cruelty-free practices, and ensuring safe, fair working conditions for their employees.
If you’re looking to update more of your wardrobe, check out our fair trade clothing and ethical workwear guides, our roundup of sustainable shoe brands and sustainable boots, and our ethically made jewelry guide! And for those of us on the hunt for travel-friendly purses and bags, our editor-reviewed guide to the best ecofriendly luggage has plenty of brands worth checking out.
1. Cuyana
Best For | Elegant styles, monogramming
Price Range | $258–$798
Cuyana lives by a simple mantra: “Fewer, better.” The brand believes style matters more 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, in soft neutral colors with enough space for 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.”
Our Editor’s Review | “Overall, Cuyana has my heart (and likely, some of my wardrobe budget for next year). If you’re looking to invest in just one bag or dress for the long haul, I truly recommend keeping an eye on all of Cuyana’s classics and new releases to come. When it comes to this brand, be prepared to invest — but I say it’s worth it.” – Emily McGowan, Editorial Director [Read our full review.]
2. HYER GOODS
Best For | Upcycled leather bags
Price Range | $380–$695
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. Read our full review of the brand here.
Our Editor’s Review | “If it’s not obvious, I’m in love with HYER GOODS and plan to keep this bag forever. If you’re also someone who wants a solid, everyday bag — not a trend piece, not a statement bag, just something you’ll actually reach for — this is the one. Who knows, maybe my own daughter will be begging me to borrow it 20 years from now.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist [Read our full review.]
3. Allégorie
Best For | Vegan, plant-based leather bags
Price Range | $285–$575
Vegan leather made from … food waste? We’re listening! Allégorie creates beautiful wallets and bags from plant-based food byproducts, reducing landfill waste and 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. Beyond their ethical practices and eco-friendly materials, their bags are gorgeous.
The Good Trade Partner
4. Sézane
Best For | Colorful leather bags
Price Range | $240–$680
Sézane creates timeless pieces that also respect the planet and its people. This certified B Corp uses mostly natural and sustainable materials, including chrome-free leather and cotton, for its gorgeous collection of bags, wallets, and clutches. Throughout production, the team powers its efforts with renewable energy and ships in eco-friendly packaging (ships internationally). If you’re looking for a bag that can easily follow you from the office to the grocery store, to date night, Sézane’s leather goods are well structured to not only complement, but elevate even the most casual outfits. And if you need something unique for a special event, a mini crossbody or smooth leather clutch just might be the missing addition to your wardrobe. To date, Sézane has redistributed over fifteen million to more than 30 organizations through DEMAIN, their social impact fund.
5. behno
Best For | Work bags
Price Range | $195–$625
NYC-based brand behno doesn’t compromise on the craftsmanship and ethics behind its premium luxury bags. Here you’ll find 100% genuine leather bags made from smooth Nappa leather and supple Saffiano leather, all sourced from LWG-certified tanneries near Venice and Chennai. To ensure safe working conditions of the highest standard, founder Shivam Punjya created “the behno standard“. He partnered with a nonprofit and other industry veterans to create the brand’s own factory, ensuring these standards are met, including healthcare services, equal remuneration for women, eco-friendly infrastructure, and absolutely zero child labor. behno’s philanthropic efforts don’t stop there: The brand features a capsule collection in conjunction with the National Down Syndrome Society where 20% of all sales are donated to the cause.
Customer Review | “I’ve wanted something like this for a long time. Finding a quality bag for a price point I’m willing to spend—and a bag not everyone has, can be a challenge. I love this bag! It’s just the right size for everyday. A unique, but go with everything color, AND it’s a fun shape. I love the supple leather and details like the large interior pocket and the zippered phone side pocket on the outside of the bag. Get this bag!” -Abby (Read all reviews.)
6. BAGGU
Best For | Durable, everyday bags
Price Range | $14–$190
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). BUGGU’s reusable totes are cut from a continuous piece of nylon, and the waste is used to make handy carrying pouches. Its factories in China are audited yearly by a third party to ensure safe, fair working conditions. BAGGU also has a recycled leather bag collection, which turns their silhouettes into compact, elevated versions of their most-loved bags. 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!
7. The Sak
Best For | Crochet & suede bags
Price Range | $59–$269
Remember the iconic crochet hobo bags that dominated 90s fashion? We can thank The Sak for getting us all into a bag we now rely on for its cute, casual, and functional structure. The brand has since evolved into a B Corp that focuses on ethical practices and environmental stewardship at all levels of production. From introducing REPREVE recycled linings for their bags, to a PETA-approved vegan certification for their Sak Crochet and Sakroots, to even ensuring all the leather used in their collections is LWG-certified, these bags are more than just pioneers in a trend – they’re crafted with a conscious future in mind. Read more about The Sak’s sustainability philosophy in their yearly impact report.
Customer Review | “Absolutely beautiful! I love the size. Its colors are chic and relevant right now. I would recommend to everyone. It fits the shoulder and very comfortable.” – Jennifer R. (Read all reviews.)
8. Quince
Best For | Affordable leather bags
Price Range | $26–$240
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.
Customer 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. (Read all reviews.)
9. ABLE
Best For | Handcrafted leather bags
Price Range | $80–$495
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.
Customer Review | “This bag was perfect for traveling! The leather is beautiful, fits everything I need, and is so well made. I will definitely be using it as a diaper/every day bag!” – Shawna M. (Read all reviews.)
10. VIVAIA
Best For | Patterned totes
Price Range | $70–$305
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 prices starting at around $70. Worldwide shipping is available.
Customer Review | “I love this bag as it features such a cute tuxedo cat that reminds me of Jay, a marina cat. I wore this bag since I got it. It’s not too small nor too big and just right to keep all my essentials handy. One of my favorites!” – Kevin M. (Read all reviews.)
Featured image from Hyer Goods
