Over the past decade or so, South Korea has cemented itself as one to watch in the pop culture, style, beauty, and even automotive realms, with those in the west looking to the nation for its creativity and inimitable finesse. The best Korean handbag brands follow the same tone, boasting both unique and timeless designs executed with a high level of craftsmanship and offered at affordable price points. Running the gamut from sleek, minimalist styles defined by clean lines and streamlined silhouettes to playful, quirky designs that stand out from the crowd, the best Korean handbag brands have something for every taste.
The best Korean handbag brands at a glance
- Best for quiet luxury bags: Etté
- Best for fun statement bags: Marge Sherwood
- K-pop idol favourite: Stand Oil
1. Stand Oil
A favourite among K-idols, Stand Oil uses vegan leather to create everyday minimalist bags with a slightly edgy, grungy undercurrent. Designs incorporate current trends while retaining the brand’s own sense of style, with Stand Oil designs typically defined by clean lines and well-defined forms. The Chubby bag is one of the brand’s most popular, with TikTokers personalising the bag with keychains, ribbons, and trinkets. While Stand Oil plays into Gen Z-friendly trends like puffy nylon details and curvilinear lines, there are also several styles that take on a more refined tone; the Oblong and More Baguette bags are among our favourites.
Vibe check: If you like Nicolas Ghesquière-era Balenciaga, current and vintage (but not 2000s- and 2010s-era) Coach, and Marc Jacobs, you’ll like Stand Oil.
Best styles: Oblong, More Baguette, Chubby
Materials: polyurethane/synthetic leather
2. Marhen J
The brainchild of the former creative director for K-pop groups Twice and Wonder Girls, Marhen J is a vegan-friendly brand that blends practicality with aesthetics. The brand boasts a range of covetable minimalist and funky silhouettes alike, with its colour palette spanning classic neutrals to bold, statement-making hues. With a commitment to animal-friendly, sustainable fashion, Marhen J continually experiments with eco-friendly materials, including apple leather, recycled nylon, and canvas. The apple leather collection in particular is a standout, with the range’s streamlined Bella bowling bags and Umberto weekender among our favourites.
Vibe check: Everything from colourful y2k shoulder bags to elevated apple leather weekenders.
Best styles: Bella, Umberto, Hazel, Elly
Materials: apple leather, polyurethane
3. Etté
Through careful attention to detail, Korean handbag brand Etté manages to make minimalist styles that have been iterated by many a brand before them feel fresh. Considered hardware, architectural shapes, and lush suede and leather craftsmanship make them simultaneously familiar yet different.
Vibe check: If you’re looking for quiet luxury with a difference, you’ll like Etté.
Best styles: Shimo Shopper, Pokke, Barra Tote, Penny Trip
Materials: leather
4. Osoi
Osoi translates to ‘slow’ and ‘unhurried’ in Japanese, which informs the brand’s design ethos. Styles have a y2k energy, with colourful slouchy shoulder bags with statement buckles reigning supreme. There are also more minimal styles that play with geometric forms, like the Toni and Dumpring bags.
Vibe check: If you like current Coach, 2000s Marc Jacobs, and 1990s Prada, you’ll like Osoi.
Best styles: Dumpring, Hobo Brocle
Materials: leather, nylon
5. Marge Sherwood
Named after Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley, Marge Sherwood balances playfulness with sophistication. Fun and funky yet eminently wearable, there’s a major 1990s and 2000s energy to Marge Sherwood designs, with the Korean handbag brand’s range spanning a wide array of shoulder, bowling, and crossbody bag styles.
Vibe check: Contemporary styles from sculptural east-west styles to studded cylindrical bowling bags — all executed in vibrant hues.
Best styles: Soft Tote, Soft Baguette, Hobo Shoulder, Bessette
Materials: leather
6. Vunque
Catering to coquettes and Longchamp girlies alike, Korean handbag brand Vunque has a firm grasp on the zeitgeist, with a plethora of recognisable silhouettes with a twist.
Vibe check: If you’re into Miu Miu, Mansur Gavriel, and Longchamp, you’ll find a style you like at Vunque.
Best styles: Toque Love Tote, Trapeze One Handle Tote, Occam Double Flap Shoulder
Materials: leather
7. Squareline
Would-be minimalist styles get a trendy Gen Z-friendly makeover courtesy of Squareline, with classic shoulder bags adorned with chunky pockets and studded details while otherwise streamlined bowler bags are accentuated with elongated straps.
Vibe check: Refined enough to wear to work, yet not out of place in a street style fit.
Best styles: Mario Mario, Raja Raja, Noah Noah
Materials: polyurethane/synthetic leather
Where to buy Korean handbags
Shopping from the best Korean handbag brands can be difficult for western shoppers, as many brand websites are solely in Korean. While you can use your web browser’s translate feature and shop directly from the brand’s webstore, there are also e-commerce sites like W Concept and Musinsa, both of which are dedicated to K-fashion and make shopping from Korean brands easier. Some more popular Korean handbag brands such as Marge Sherwood and Osoi are also available through e-commerce platforms like Australian fashion retailer Incu and global luxury marketplace Farfetch. Where possible, we’ve tried to list several alternate retailers in this article.
Alternatives to the best Korean handbag brands
While these Korean handbag brands represent the ideal intersection of style and affordability, they’re by no means the only handbag brands you should know about. If you liked this article, you’ll also enjoy:
- These Are The Best Anti-Trend Underrated Luxury Bag Brands
- The 16 Most Covetable French Handbag Brands For Chic Everyday Carry
Words by Arabella Johnson
