Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The 18 Best Bags for Mom
Help mom find purse peace with any of these great bags
The one thing that’s always amazed and fascinated me about moms and their bags is what’s inside them. It doesn't matter what bag size, moms will pull out bandages, books, wet wipes, snacks, safety pins, and more. Think about it, how many times did an item from your mom’s bag save the day? A lot.
Moms may have their go-to bag for everyday usage, but you know they could use a sturdy tote bag, a nice special events bag, or bad that looks good at the office and the grocery store. Some moms dream of owning a bookcase full of bags, or one or two that will (a) hold everything, and (b) look nice.
Finding the right bag and using it is called purse peace. It’s when you know your bag collection is complete and perfect. Help mom find “purse peace” with any of these 18 bags in this roundup. I’ve collected everything from small clutches to roomy totes and more. I added one of Kate Middleton’s favorite handbag companies in this roundup. Scroll down, window shop, and find the best bag for mom.
Mother's Day Sale Codes
As an FYI, some brands are conducting pre-Mother’s Day sales. I’ve added the information here.
Portland Leather offers 30% off their bestselling premium leather goods. Use the code MOMDAY30 at checkout to get the discount.
DSW BOGO 50% off. Buy shoes for mom, get 50% off the second pair.
Baggallini spend $100, get fee shipping, and 50% off all sale styles, no codes needed.
Abercrombie & Fitch $50 off purchases of $150 and up, $20 off purchases of $100. Free shipping on orders over $99.
Cotopaxi free shipping $99 and up.
Guess 30% off friends and family event, take 20% off orders and free shipping if you sign up for texts.
Patricia Nash free shipping on orders $75 and up.
NAGHEDI 15% off your first purchase if you sign up for their newsletter.
Strathberry for a limited time receive a complimentary gift with orders, T&C apply, free standard shipping with orders.
Steve Madden an extra 30% off with code EXTRA30, free shipping over $75.
SHEIN 10% off over $60, 15% off over $109, 20% off over $189.
Minor History 15% off order if you sign up for newsletter.
Mestiza Additional 20% off sale styles.
Shinola no sales, but the website has an outlet section with items that have been reduced up to 60%.
Clutch
A classic clutch bag is a small, square-ish, dressy handbag designed to be hand-carried and worn for special events. Modern clutches run in sizes from mini to giant and use various materials. Style-wise, modern clutches can be sporty, vacay vibes, and sophisticated bags to take to the office. There are novelty clutches (think book, fruit, or animal-shaped), and the classic evening accessory. Convertible shoulder straps add to the bag's versatility.
Olympia Le-Tan Fleurs Orientales
Is this a clutch or a piece of art? Handmade in Portugal, the front and back of this clutch is embroidered with flowers taken from Warner House prints. The interior fabric is unique to each numbered clutch. That’s right, this is a limited edition. The clutch’s frame is made with reinforced steel, so it will never lose its shape. $2492.000, Olympia Le-Tan.com.
Kelly & Katie Beaded Floral Clutch
This beaded clutch bag's front features a mosaic of sunny blooms made of raffia, beads, and sequins. The clutch’s bag is made of smooth fabric, so the beadwork would not catch on clothing. The bag is small enough to fit in Mom’s palm and has a removable gold chain shoulder strap. $39.99, DSW.com.
Nina Goodie Clutch
Wrapped in a bow, this nice-sized evening bag adds visual interest to any party outfit. The faux satin bag can be hand-carried, worn as a wristlet when using the bag’s back strap, or worn as a shoulder bag when clipping on the additional silvery chain link shoulder strap. This clutch bag has solid-color and polka-dot options. $48.00, DSW.com.
Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Clutch
By now, you’ve probably seen one of the many ads touting Quince’s overall quality. As one of their cashmere sweater owners, I can attest to the quality of their goods. This bag is produced in Sedex-certified factories. Quince’s leather handwoven clutch has an interior compartment and two zippered pockets and closes with a magnetic snap. The leather strap can be clipped to the bag and convert it to either a shoulder or crossbody bag. Quince’s clutch is work, weekend, and wherever you go appropriate. The clutch comes in four different colors. $99.90, Quince.com.
Crossbody bags
A crossbody bag has a long strap that enables the wearer to wear the bag either on a shoulder or across the body. Crossbody bags come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. Like clutch bags, crossbody bags are convertible and can be worn (depending on their style) for dressy events and everyday wear.
Mazie Days The Charlie
Designed for women who are on the run, this crossbody bag is mom and pet parent approved. Mazie Days uses vegan leather sourced from recycled and sustainable materials for all their bags. The Charlie can be worn as a crossbody, waist, or shoulder bag. The interior has multiple slots for cards, a key ring clip, and an adjustable strap. There is an exterior phone pocket and multiple outer pockets, some of which are zipped for easy access to important items. For pet parents, there is a back poop bag dispenser, and an O-ring to clip your dog’s leash to, when you need to be hands free. The Charlie comes in five colors. The matching pup treat pouch is an add-on option. $148, MazieDays.com.
Shinola Pocket Crossbody Bag
Detroit-based Shinola is known for its watches, but it also has great lines of bags and jewelry. Shinola’s Pocket crossbody bag uses soft and sturdy natural grain leather. It has a top snap closure, and the inside has nicely sized open pockets to keep everything sorted and in the right place. The adjustable strap can be used to turn the bag into a shoulder bag. The bag comes in three colors. $595, Shinola.com.
Cotopaxi Lista 2L Crossbody Bag
Among one-baggers and athletes, Cotopaxi has a sterling reputation for making stuff that lasts no matter the weather. If your mom is a minimalist or an inveterate traveler, she’d love their lightweight Lista bag. It has a 2L capacity and can be folded tightly into a backpack. This unisex crossbody bag has an exterior zippered compartment that contains a carabiner to hold keys. The bag has a back exterior snap pocket, zips up the top, and can expand to hold items. The bag’s strap is adjustable, and it comes in 9 colors. Three of those colors are on sale for $24.50. The Lista is $35, Cotopaxi.com or Amazon.
Baggallini Marais Crossbody
When I travel, I always take at least one Baggallini bag with me. Their crossbody bags have numerous interior pockets, so I can stay organized when traveling. And yes, I also use my Baggallini crossbody bag when I’m not traveling. Their Marais crossbody has a built-in RFID front wallet with six card slots, a grab-and-go phone pocket, a lipstick loop, and yes, many interior pockets. The exterior has two nicely sized zippered compartments, the back has a large slip pocket, and a privacy pocket is inside the bag. Baggallini’s Marais bag comes in five colors.
$115, Baggallini.com, and Amazon
Tote Bags
By definition, a tote bag is a large square or rectangular bag with two parallel handles designed to carry one or two large items or a lot of stuff. Modern tote bags come in various materials—leather, canvas, nylon, suede, and duck cotton, for example. They may be designed with multiple interior and exterior pockets, including a padded laptop slot.
Active by Abercrombie YPB Ionic Tote
If your mom is sporty, a tennis player, a pickleball partner, a golfer, a yoga or Pilates practitioner, you can’t go wrong by giving her this tote bag from Abercrombie & Fitch’s active line. This tote bag even has a back trolley pass flap for travel. The bag’s side mesh pockets can hold a water bottle or two. Unzip the bag and find zippered pockets and a roomy interior. The front has a large open pocket where keys can be slipped inside. If mom doesn’t like green, there are six other colors. $90, Abercrombie&Fitch.com.
GUESS Atalia Raffia Tote
If your mom loves the sun, she’ll love this raffia tote with a sunny summer disposition. The raffia material is framed by faux leather trim. The bag sports a chic triangular designer name plate. The bag has a back exterior zippered pocket. The lined interior is split so larger items can stay on one side of the bag. It also comes in a black and raffia colorway. $103.60, Guess.com or Amazon.
Patricia Nash Viotti Tote with Greek Map Scarf
Woven bags have been trending for a while, and moms who live for a relaxed, yet chic style would love this denim woven tote lined in faux suede. The bag zips close so nothing can fall out. There are interior open and zippered pockets. This tote is accessorized with Greek map scarf. $199, PatriciaNash.com.
NAGHEDI St. Barths Small Tote Watercolor
This handwoven neoprene mini tote converts into a crossbody or shoulder bag. The strap detaches so the bag can be hand carried. The bag comes with a woven zippered pouch. NAGHEDI’s mini tote comes in another color. Every NAGHEDI bag is individually handwoven, and the weavers create one or two bags a day. $300, NAGHEDI.com.
Satchel
Satchel bags, whether they’re mini or oversized, are structured bags. Some are closed with a flap. You can find formal and casual styled satchel bags, like other bag styles. And like other bag styles, satchel bags have both a shoulder strap and a handle.
Strathberry Nano Tote $495
Designed in Scotland and then handmade in Spain, Strathberry is one of Kate Middleton’s favorite brands. The Strathberry Nano tote has been on the arms of Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Carson, and Olivia Palermo. The Nano tote is the smaller version of the brand’s classic Midi tote. The gold-tone musical bar closure highlights the leather bag. While small, it holds a lot. The Strathberry tote comes in 7 solid colors and four snake-embossed patterns. $495, Strathberry.com.
Steve Madden Riggs City Satchel Bag
This slouchy satchel bag comes with a dangling bag charm. It also has knotted fringe, metal grommets for that rock ‘n’ roll edge, and an exterior zippered phone pocket. Steve Madden’s satchel easily converts into a crossbody bag by clipping on its adjustable strap. This is an excellent bag for moms who love edgy, contemporary style. The Riggs City Satchel comes in four shades. $99, SteveMadden.com, Dillards.com.
VS Dafs GSA Patent Leather Bag
This round Boston bag has been updated into a modern patent leather satchel in sunny orange. Zip it open to find a roomy interior containing a zippered compartment and two large open pockets. The bag also comes in two other colors. It can be quickly shipped in time for Mother’s Day. $32.40, SHEIN.com.
ModChicLeather Chiso Bag
ModChic Leather uses ethically sourced vegan leather for its handbags. Their Chiso bag is a bold and unique version of a satchel bag. The trapezoid shape and twisted top handle, with a cloche dangling from the handle, make this bag eye-catching. The cream version has caramel-colored sides. Lift the magnetized flap to find a nice-sized open compartment. The bag comes in four other colors. $325, ModChicLeather.com.
Shoulder Bag
While shoulder bags may vary in size, shape, and material, they are designed to hang off the shoulder. The bag’s strap or straps are long enough for the bag to fit comfortably on the shoulder.
Minor History The Frame Shoulder Bag
Minor History combines architectural details in its bag construction. They choose leather that will maintain its beauty and color for years to come. Their Frame shoulder bag has a slightly slouchy top. The Frame uses double-layered leather, so the slouch will always sit with the perfect dent. It has a wide, tapered strap to sit easily and comfortably on the shoulder. Don’t want to give Mom a yellow bag? It comes in three other shades. $268, MinorHistory.com.
MOTF Woven Bag
Hannah Waddingham carried a half-moon-shaped bag in Ted Lasso. It looked so fresh, modern, and elegant that the size became popular with everyone. Now, the bag shape has been deemed a modern classic, like mom! This is a woven bag that works with mom’s casual, office, and cocktail wear. $17.84, SHEIN.com.
Mestiza Dominique Flower Bag
Mestiza’s raffia bag is charming. The front is a multi-petaled flower. This shoulder bag converts into a hand carry. It is lined and has an interior card slot. This floral bouquet of a bag can quickly fit in your mother’s summer bag rotation. It’s the type of bag that can be worn during the day or at a summer wedding. $198.00, MestizaNewYork.com.
Portland Leather Goods Naomi Shoulder Bag
Over the past few years, Portland Leather Goods has quietly become one of America’s go-to brands for quality leather bags, wallets, and accessories. Their Naomi shoulder bag has everything you want in a bag for mom or yourself. Buttery leather or suede, a modern classic shape, fits everything you need in a good looking bag. Naomi comes in two sizes, small and large. It comes in nine colors, some shades of which are suede only, like this Joni Blue version of the Naomi bag. It’s on sale right now, and if you add the code MOMDAY30 at checkout, an additional 30% is taken off the price. $118, Portland Leather Goods.
The Steve Madden bag is so fun! It reminds me of the original Rebecca Minkoff styles.