Top Picks for Women’s Leather Handbags, Travel Handbags, and Sustainable Purses

Finding the perfect handbag is about more than just style—it’s about functionality, sustainability, and ethical craftsmanship. Whether you’re searching for elegant women's leather handbags, practical travel handbags, or compact and chic small handbags for women, there are endless options to suit your needs.

For those prioritizing eco-conscious choices, eco-friendly purses and sustainable handbags are becoming increasingly popular, blending style with responsible production practices. In addition to sustainability, many shoppers are turning to fair trade purses, which support ethical labor practices and fair wages for artisans worldwide.

These handbags are not only a fashion statement but also a way to make a positive impact. From versatile designs for everyday use to stylish travel companions, today’s handbags cater to every lifestyle and occasion.

Types of Women’s Handbags:

• Tote Bags: Spacious and versatile, tote bags are perfect for carrying everything you need, from daily essentials to shopping items, making them ideal for work or casual outings.

• Crossbody Bags: Designed for hands-free convenience, crossbody bags are a stylish and practical option for on-the-go individuals who prioritize comfort and ease.

• Clutches: Compact and elegant, clutches are the go-to choice for formal events or evenings out, offering just enough space for your essentials like a phone, keys, and lipstick.

• Backpack Purses: A trendy blend of style and functionality, backpack purses are great for travel or casual wear, providing ample space while keeping your hands free.

Explore our top picks to find the perfect balance of quality, style, and sustainability for your wardrobe.

Type of Handbag  | Versatile Tote Bag, Fund Food Banks
Tote Bag Features | Socially responsible, Jute, Handmade, Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral
Tote Bag Price | $58

Ten Tree's functional, fun purse is also super versatile. Wear it over your shoulder like a traditional purse or convert it into a trendy backpack. The versatile tote Crochet Tote Bag features a simple design and large enough to carry all your important belongings.

The Ten Tree Crochet tote bag comes in a natural color, so you’re guaranteed to find a style to fit your preference. Reviews are in and women are raving about this tote. Women love the size of the bag; at 13 inches deep, it’s big enough to hold it all.  Our favorite Crochet Tote Bag review was by the woman who carried her yoga mat to the studio!

SHOP TEN TREE

Type of Handbag | Satchel Bag
Vegan Leather Wristlet Features | Socially responsible, Eco Friendly, Better Cotton Initiative, Sustainable Packaging, Fair Trade
Vegan Leather WristletPrice | $50

This Cotton On satchel bag goes from office to dinner party in seconds. The Satchel handbag from Cotton On will literally match just about anything you choose to wear. You’ll appreciate the spacious design and generous internal pocket for organizational purposes.

Also the bag is versatile to meet your on demand needs with an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap with a zipper closure. The Satchel Bag is a medium sized handbag that measures at 15 inches long by 21 inches wide at 9 inches depth.  The satchel handbag is comprised of 100% polyurethane and a 100% polyester lining.

Cotton On reviews cite the flexibility of the bag, and they love the detachable strap. Plus, it just looks good. The mint green arrowhead and the contrasting dark brown “leather” go with just about anything you could possibly put on.

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Type of Handbag | Organic Cotton Crossbody Handbag
Leather Purse Features | Socially responsible, Partners with local charities
Leather Purse Price | $88

United by Blue's Hunslet Haversack is anything but simple.  This sturdy, crossbody bag features multiple pockets for stashing your stuff as well as an optional spaghetti strap if you’d prefer to keep your hands free.  In addition the handbag is downpour proof so you water easily wicks away from your valuables.

We included the United by Blue review because the company is socially responsible.  The company promotes eco friendly environmental impact by physically removing trash, plastic, styrofoam, rubber tires from their local communities across the U.S.  Secondly, United by Blue is a Certified B-Corp company, a supportive member of business that strive to promote economic and social environment awareness.  This is truly one company to feel great about when buying products from.

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Type of Handbag | Eco Leather Shoulder Bag, Give Back
Women's Shoulder Bag Features | Partners with local charities, Fair Trade, Green, Sustainable
Women's Shoulder Bag Price | $175

If you’re looking for a company that’s taking huge steps to support, empower and heal women, look no further than Ten Thousand Villages. Ten Thousand Villages has been working for years to provide consumers with local materials that are natural or recycled.  Every purchase helps improve the lives of the artisans by supporting their craft. Ten Thousand Villages orchestrates residential and other programs across the world to help those in need get back on their feet.

Ten Thousand Villages has made a commitment to source products that are eco friendly, less chemicals, safe for the environment, their workers and consumers alike.  From handcrafted home goods to organic essential oils, Ten Thousand Villages is dedicated to green, sustainable, fair trade products.

Check out the Ten Thousand Villages Eco Leather Shoulder Bag. This soft leather shoulder bag was handmade by CRC artisan group in India. Reviews of the Eco Leather Shoulder Bag describe it as rugged, yet feminine. The soft leather is unlined, and the perfect size for just about any purpose. 

SHOP TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES

Type of Handbag | Signature iPhone Clutch, Give Back
Fair Trade Clutch Features | Fair Trade, Socially Responsible, Ethical Working Conditions
Fair Trade Clutch Price | $45

There’s a good chance you know the name Carhartt. Did you know that Carhartt has partnered with the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production team? Carhartt’s products are made under fair, safe, ethical and humane working conditions.  The Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) is an independent and global team of social compliance experts. 

The Carhartt Signature iPhone Clutch is an adorable little leather case for your phone – Five credit card slots, a couple slip pockets and a pocket for your phone are just a few of the features of the Carhartt case. It’s made of responsibly harvested leather, and is fabric lined so you won’t scratch your phone. The little wrist strap completes the case.

Carhartt Signature iPhone Clutch reviews say the case is as durable as you’d expect from Carhartt. They also said that the case fits other phones. It’s designed for an iPhone but even Android phones will work. Measure your phone – the case will fit phones 5.44 inches by 2.64 inches.

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Type of Handbag | Colette Mini Ratten Handbag
Women's Handbag Features | Socially responsible, Fair Trade, Ethically sourced material
Women's HandbagPrice | $69

The Colette Mini Ratten Handbag by Goodnight Macaroon is perfect for the office or just for a day of running errands. On trend design and made out of an eco-friendly straw ratten, this handbag is the perfect accessory to complete your look. The cool part about the Colette Mini Ratten handbag is that it comes with a shoulder strap. The handbag measures at 25” length x 20” width x 18” height x 13” depth. Fit your tablet, your book or lipstick inside. The shoulder strap is removable too.

Goodnight Macaroon reviews all rave about the bag. Women who wear it say the bag is comfortable, lightweight and just the right size. Reviews mention that the bag is perfect for the weekend. Use it as a shoulder bag during the day, then convert it to a clutch in the evening.

SHOP GOODNIGHT MACAROON

7. Anson Calder

Type of Handbag | Weekender Bag
Crossbody Bag Features | Socially responsible, Hand Crafted, Eco Friendly Products, Made in the USA
Crossbody Bag Price | $1,400

You’re going to love Anson Calder as much as we do. All of their products are made from green, ethically sourced and socially conscious materials. The mission of Anson Calder is to provide quality products, and they take their standards to the ultimate level.

You’ll find handbags, wallets, laptop bags, phone cases and more. Anson Calder also is a give back company as they support organizations like FSH Society. A portion of every sale goes toward supporting this organization in their research to cure Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

For our Anson Calder review, the Weekender Bag is proudly made in the USA of the finest French Calfskin. Falling to about waist level, you can stow your everyday stuff, your gym gear or even your yoga mat.  Of course, the bag is with the finest material.

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Type of Handbag | Fold Over Clutch
Women's Clutch Features | Fair Trade, Socially Responsible, Give Back
Women's Clutch Price | $250

We know you’re going to fall in love with Jill Milan's clutch. The Red Canaan Clutch from Jil Milan is the epitome of luxury. Created in Italy under fair trade conditions, this sexy little handbag is palladium-coated handmade brass hardware. The designers of this little bag, have partnered with ethical suppliers to provide a unique luxury clutch.

For our Jill Milan review, we love that Jill Millan proudly gives back to their communities and local non-profits such as Catherine Tuck Foundation, Global Green, Humane Society of the United States, and Mercy for Animals. So next time you visit Jill Milian, you can feel good about buying a luxury handbag or purse that proudly supports other great causes..

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Type of Handbag | Italian Recycled Plastic Leather Handbag
Women's Shoulder Bag Features | Ethical Organization, Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Vegan Verified, Made in USA, Handmade
Women's Shoulder Bag Price | $125

Itemerie's recycled handbag measures 4 by 9 by 5, and this over the shoulder bag is made from soft Recycled Plastic leather. Itemerie Handbag Reviews say that the designer handbag feels just as soft as cotton.

Itemerie didn’t pass up a single opportunity to include details to set this bag apart. This light pink vegan leather cinch pouch clutch is an excellent way to go sustainable style. It’s essentially the perfect size to toss in a few items and head out to go shopping.  We love that Itemerie specializes in a wide range of eco friendly, fair trade and sustainable items, including home goods, personal care, and jewelry.

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Stylish Purses and Handbags to Feel Good About

Every girl needs a purse. Heck, even guys need a place to toss their keys. Luckily for the planet, you can look great and carry your stuff in style without harming the environment or the global community.  Make your next bag one of these 9 best organic, natural or eco friendly purses and hand-bags and you can look good while you do your part to protect the Earth.

Jessica Lauren is Founder, contributing Author and Owner of Citrus Sleep. Citrus Sleep is an online publication that highlights brands, sleep products, women’s fashion, subscription services and ideas creating positive social change and promoting a healthy lifestyle. After spending nearly a decade working in PR and marketing for several brands and startups, Jessica knows what truly drives conversions, sold-out launches and guest posts.

Follow Jessica at @jessicalaurencs | Jessica Lauren

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