My First Designer Bag Was From Michael Kors—Here Are 5 I'd Buy as an Adult

Stroll down memory lane with me for a second. Can you remember your first designer handbag? What do you recall about it? No matter the shape or shade, chances are you’ve got pretty fond memories of that purse (for good reason). After all, people don’t typically forget their first luxury purchase. Personally, I’d be nowhere near as obsessed with keeping up with handbag trends or investing in designer bags without my first. While I’ve had my fair share of “firsts” over the years, none have been as influential for me as my Michael Kors handbag. Thinking back, nothing is more heartwarming than the memory of going to Macy’s with my dad to pick out a Michael Kors purse as a gift—for the record, I chose an oversize black top-handle bag with classic gold hardware.

Something about that moment shifted me, and I know I’m not alone in that experience. For many fashion people, one of their first luxury buying experiences can be attributed to this label. While other brands have been predicated on notions that high fashion should be exclusionary, Michael Kors has always been a maverick in making luxury attainable in our everyday lives. That aim is no more apparent than with the brand’s foray into every realm of fashion, from ready-to-wear to footwear and even fragrances. But possibly the best example of how this brand has become a beacon of attainable luxury is the handbags. Unlike other designer labels, which have increased the price tags of their purses by over 27% in the past few years, Michael Kors remains one of the few brands where you can still find a quality leather handbag for under $500.