I love handbags. In fact, I love them so much that I often worry my sustainable bags collection has grown too large – I have an everyday handbag, a vintage shoulder bag, two crossbody bags, two tote bags, a clutch, two designer bags, and luggage! You could say this makes me somewhat of an expert on sustainable bags, as I’m so particular about the ethics and aesthetics of each. And hopefully this guide will prove that right – even if I may have overbought!
If you’re wondering where to find sustainable bags in the UK, I’m here to help! This guide will take you through the credentials, materials, and brands to look for, as well as designer bag authentication, bag rental, and bag care.
What Makes A Handbag Sustainable?
Bags featured: Under Her Eyes Vera Clutch, Mulberry Amberley Satchel from Lowest Carbon Collection; ASK Bio-Leather Willow Tote.
Above: APC Demi-Lune Bag via eBay, BEEN London East Tote.
If you are looking for a sustainably-made bag or purse, the following credentials are key to look out for:
- Fair labour practices
- Designed for longevity
- Made from recycled, upcycled, or waste materials
- Produced with artisanal techniques
- Available second-hand, swapped, or rented
However, what I should really be asking is, what makes a handbag more sustainable than usual? Just like shoes, bags are quite complex to create. Whereas a t-shirt has as little as four pieces, a bag has the lining, the outer, fastenings, pockets, and much more to consider. For that reason, sustainable bags are few and far between, and come with lots of different ethical conundrums.
On top of that, there’s been a lot of greenwash in the sustainable bag industry. In 2019 I reviewed Matt & Nat, a vegan leather bag company I had loved and repeatedly shopped with up to that point. Unfortunately, when I took a closer look, the brand fell short of what I consider sustainable production: manufacturing in China with no real transparency, no care for workers, vast expansion, and no circularity.
So, here’s a guide to hopefully help you on your search for a more sustainable bag collection, as well as a few great brands whose ethics and aesthetics go hand-in-hand!
Which Bag Materials Are Sustainable?
Bags featured: Ziimara Zima Bag (£10 off: BESMA10OFF), Staud Moon Bag via Depop, Serapian Leather Handbag via Thrift+
Bags are often made of a combination of fabrics – an outer, an inner, hardware, and more. In my guide to sustainable fabrics, I touch on a few fabrics that are commonly used in bag linings, such as cotton, linen, and recycled nylon, but what about the principal material?
This usually boils down to leather vs. vegan leather… In my guide to vegan fashion, I discuss the conundrum of vegan leather at length. Most vegan leathers are one of the following materials:
- PVC – polyvinyl chloride – a plastic polymer that requires toxic chemicals to produce and cannot be recycled
- PU – polyurethane – a plastic material that is less harmful than PVC, and can be recycled
- TPR – thermoplastic rubber – a blend of plastic and rubber that can be recycled
- Recycled nylon – also known as ECONYL – a recycled plastic that can be re-recycled (I covered this material in more detail in my guide to eco swimwear)
- Cork – a natural material obtained from cork oak trees
Of these five materials, I only consider recycled nylon and cork as truly sustainable. That’s because these are the only materials on the list that don’t involve petroleum, which we all know is harmful from production through to breakdown.
On the other hand, producing animal leather is a carbon-intensive process that involves animal slaughter. And while leather tends to be a by-product of the meat industry – meaning animals aren’t killed solely for leather – I still feel uncomfortable purchasing leather first-hand while I won’t eat meat.
Finally, we have to consider innovative in-between materials, such as piñatex, mylo, and other vegan leathers principally made from plant-based materials. Take mylo for example – this uses mycellium, a cousin of the humble mushroom, and a petroleum base to create a soft, supple, leather-like fabric. I’m still in awe of innovations of these, and think they’re far better than basic PU, but would love to see materials that are wholly petroleum-free in future.
The best recommendation I can make is to decide for yourself what you consider sustainable. Personally, I try to shop for second-hand leather, or first-hand bags made from recycled, upcycled, or waste materials.
A Note On Luxury Sustainable Bags
Bags featured: Louis Vuitton Pochette Bag via Open For Vintage, Mulberry Amberley Satchel from Lowest Carbon Collection
Finally, before we dive into the brands making more sustainable bags than ever before, I wanted to touch on bags as investment pieces. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen my A.P.C. demi-lune bag a million times by now, and that’s testament to its versatile design, high quality, and also my love to rewearing the same pieces in my wardrobe over and over.
I had my eye on this bag for a few years before purchasing it second-hand on eBay. It still set me back a square £200, but for the amount of times I’ve worn it, it was worth it. It’s worth remembering that cultivating your sense of style, and rewearing your clothes also score highly on the list of ways to make fashion more sustainable.
In line with this is investing in designer bags. I have two in my collection: a vintage Louis Vuitton Pochette Bag, and a Mulberry Amberley Satchel, which the brand kindly gifted to me from their Lowest Carbon Collection. In my guide to vintage shopping, I note that vintage bags are also seen as a monetary investment, so it’s important to know they’re the real deal. You can do this by:
- Visiting official vintage marketplaces
- Looking for third-party authentication
Sites like eBay, Vestiaire Collective*, and Vinted are great places to start your search.
A-Z Of The Best Sustainable Bags & Purse Brands in UK
If you’re searching for a new bag, purse, or wallet, take a look at these sustainable brands and pre-loved sites. (This list has been freshly updated for 2025!)
AAKS: Bold hand-woven bags made in Ghana, supporting sustainable jobs within Africa.
BEEN London: Handbags and smaller pieces made using waste materials in the UK.
BOHOBO: Ethereal 3D-printed handbags using recycled and biodegradable filaments.
Elvis & Kresse: Reclaimed firehose made into bags, wallets, and accessories. Read my full review →
Johnny Loves Rosie*: Classic bags made in the UK with high quality vegan leather.
Kintobe: Fairly-made utility bags with Danish style, now available in the UK.
Inflatable Amnesty: Upcycled bags and panniers made from salvaged inflatables!
Lefrik: Backpacks, bags, and accessories made from recycled materials.
Loué Studio: Timeless bags and accessories made with plant-based, plastic-free leather.
Mashu*: Design-led handbags made from recycled and natural fibres, and reclaimed wood handles.
Oliver Co.*: Minimal wallets, card holders, and small accessories, made in vegan leather.
Oxfam*: Second-hand bags and purses with 100% of proceeds supporting charity.
Paravel: Well-made carbon-neutral luggage and travel bags in stylish designs. Read my full review →
Raeburn: Utilitarian style bags made in London from decommissioned military stock and surplus fabrics.
Reliked*: Pre-loved handbags fresh from influencers’ wardrobes. Get 20% off with code: CURIOUSLY
Roop: Fabric bags in a signature furoshiki style, handmade in Manchester.
Sandqvist*: High-end backpacks from Sweden that use canvas, leather, and recycled polyester.
Stella McCartney*: Luxury vegetarian brand making innovative faux-fur and vegan leather styles.
Thamon: Handbags and similar accessories made using real leaves and cork leather.
Troubadour*: B-Corp certified bags brand creating timeless styles with natural and recycled materials.
Under Her Eyes: Luxury vegan leather handbags handmade in the UK in beautiful colours and materials.
Veganologie*: Vegan leather handbags and wallets, made from 100% recycled materials.
Ziimara*: Handbags with deadstock materials and traditional Kenyan techniques. Read my full review →
Not Ready To Invest? Try Renting
Having explored fashion rental brands over the last five years, I can also attest to the excitement of renting bags that would usually be way out of my price range! A few great UK rental companies offering bags for hire are ByRotation, Cocoon, and Hurr Collective.
Finally: How To Care For Your Bag Collection
As an addendum to my guide to caring for clothes, I also wanted to quickly touch on caring for bags. I like to take good care of my bags by storing them in dust bags, regularly giving them a wipe-down, and being careful when I wear them. With my A.P.C. bag, I may also check it in with a bag repair company like The Handbag Clinic one day.
By caring for your bags, you can extend their lifespan, and potentially also preserve some of their value if you ever consider reselling or donating to charity!
