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 and Monorow
- Best for fun statement bags: Marge Sherwood and Samo Ondoh
- Best luxury Korean handbag brand: Joy Gryson and Couronne
- 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
8. Roh Seoul
Those with a penchant for elevated, minimalist styles in neutral tones will enjoy the clean lines and streamlined silhouettes by Korean handbag brand Roh Seoul. Roh Seoul designs are understated and practical, with designs capacious enough to hold all your daily essentials. In addition to geometric styles like the Pebble and Tin Square, the brand also leans into the slouchy bag trend with the satisfyingly louche Pulpy Hobo.
Vibe check: If you’re after Khaite energy without the four-figure price tag, you’ll like Roh Seoul
Best styles: Pulpy Hobo, Tin Square, Knot Shoulder
Materials: leather
9. Samo Ondoh
One of the coolest Korean handbag brands, Samo Ondoh exudes major y2k energy. Not for those who shy away from colour and adornment, Samo Ondoh handbags make a statement through playful details; the Pocket Mug and Pocket Utility bags offer a fun twist on a functional design detail, while the Trio Belt Mug bag adds visual interest with a trio of belts encircling the centre of the bag. Styles are available in a plethora of colours, with the vegan-friendly brand employing faux leather and suede as its primary materials. Samo Ondoh also leans into the bag charm trend, offering its signature mascot in a selection of cute configurations.
Vibe check: If you like Acne Studios, soft grunge, and y2k aesthetics, you’ll love Samo Ondoh.
Best styles: Pocket Mug, Trio Belt
Materials: polyurethane/synthetic leather, nylon
10. Lecc Project
Classic with a twist is the name of the game at Lecc Project. Styles are pared-back and functional while still being elegant. Silhouettes are familiar yet different and devoid of hardware, with an emphasis on slouchy, hobo bags and bucket bags with generous proportions and ample space (no mini bags here!). The brand’s handbags are crafted from vegan leather and often feature canvas detailing which adds textural interest.
Vibe check: The office siren who actually gets the job done. A little old Prada, a little ‘90s Calvin Klein minimalism.
Best styles: Log Hobo, Mod Flap, Log Zip
Materials: polyurethane/synthetic leather
11. Monorow
A minimalist ethos meets eco-conscious production, with Korean handbag brand Monorow making use of recycled leather in its designs. Monorow handbags are set to become your next daily driver, with the brand placing an emphasis on functional, minimalist design. Influence wise, the brand is reminiscent of Toteme and The Row, with the brand’s Line bag resembling the former’s Belted Buckle Bag and the Blanc recalling the latter’s infamous Margaux bag.
Vibe check: The Row meets Toteme on a Cos budget.
Best styles: Angle, Blanc, Line
Materials: recycled leather, canvas
12. Couronne
Couronne has a somewhat European sensibility, with the brand placing an emphasis on timeless design in striking yet versatile colours. A Luxury Korean handbag brand, Couronne is priced on the higher end compared to other brands on this list, but is well worth it for its elegant designs and high quality craftsmanship. We love how Couronne takes key handbag silhouettes and makes them its own through intentional details like sculptural hardware and artistic touches. Bags like the Manon Cross and Ballon Shoulder emanate French girl charm, while the Pivot Shoulder offers a fresh take on a classic style.
Vibe check: If you vibe with Sezane and Rouje and count cafe-hopping in Paris amongst your favourite activities, you’ll like Couronne.
Best styles: Manon Cross, Ballon Shoulder, Nova Tote, Pivot Shoulder
Materials: leather
13. Minitmute
Minitmute makes fun, fresh handbags that are well suited to gen Z and lovers of y2k. Designs like the boxy Twin bag and the belt style Clo Waist Mini skew young, with an abundance of pastel hues on offer. There’s also a selection of vintage-inspired designs, such as the suede Tobo and patent leather Flot bag.
Vibe check: for the y2k girlies in their brat era.
Best styles: Tobo, Twin, Flot
Materials: leather, suede, nylon
14. Fennec
If you’re into Prada’s streamlined and technical nylon handbags, you’ll find something you like at Fennec. The Ribbon Pocket bag recalls the infamous Acne Studios iteration at less than a tenth of the price, while the Gavi Triangle bag evokes old Prada energy. That said, Fennec’s styles carve out space in their own right and are referential without being derivative; take the striking east-west style Bow Barrel bag or the minimalist, office-ready Saint bag, for example. Fennec uses cow leather, faux leather, and nylon across its range, meaning there’s a handbag for every taste.
Vibe check: Acne Studios and Prada vibes on a Sketchers budget.
Best styles: Ribbon Pocket, Saint, Ready Duffle
Materials: leather, bonded leather, faux leather/polyurethane, nylon
15. Joy Gryson
Founded in New York by Korean designer Joy Gryson—an alum of Tory Burch, Calvin Klein, and Marc Jacobs—this eponymous handbag brand offers minimalist designs with unique and unexpected details. Belted accents and statement hardware keep things interesting, with Joy Gryson designs boasting a decidedly luxurious aesthetic.
Vibe check: Quiet luxury, very IYKYK (fortunately, most people don’t know ;)).
Best styles: Margot Shoulder, Tribeca Square Crossbody, Ricky Bucket
Materials: leather, nylon, canvas
16. Lememe
The word Lememe means ‘same’ in French, with the brand duly inspired by vintage European aesthetics. Classic design reigns supreme here, with Lememe bags harkening back to the style of a bygone era. The ideal brand for those looking for a handbag that doesn’t abide by contemporary trends and stands the test of time. Our favourite styles are the Sac Vigne and Sac Pauline.
Vibe check: 1940s Parisian energy — pair with a tweed skirt suit or cable knit twin set.
Best styles: Sac Jour, Sac Vigne, Sac Jardin, Sac Pauline
Materials: 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.
What are brands like Stand Oil?
Korean handbag brand Stand Oil is beloved by K-pop idols and TikTokers alike. If you’re looking for handbag brands with a similar aesthetic to Stand Oil, try Squareline, Samo Ondoh, Marge Sherwood, and Minitmute.
What are the best Korean leather handbag brands?
Many Korean handbag brands such as Stand Oil and Lecc Project use vegan leather or polyurethane. Some of the best Korean handbag brands that use genuine leather are Joy Gryson, Lememe, Minitmute, Couronne, Roh Seoul, Vunque, Marge Sherwood, Etté, and Osoi.
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
