Being good with money is all about trade-offs. You can’t have the best of the best of everything, but if you allocate your budget right, you can spend more money on the things that you value. For example, if designer handbags are super important to you, you might not mind splurging for luxury. Or you could go the other way and save with cheap purses under $20.
Because the flip side of the equation is that you have to cut back on areas you care less about. For me, I’ve always spent very little on things like handbags so that I’d have room in my budget for my priorities, like travel.
There is no right and wrong here. But if you do fall into the latter camp with me, I’ve got some tips on how to shop for cheap purses. In fact, we’ll try to keep the budget under $20, including shipping.
Before we check out the top six picks, make sure to download the KCL app. That way you’ll get alerted to deals and coupons as they pop up.
1. Check in Baby Pink by Mon Cheri
I’ve been getting all of my purses from Mon Cheri for a number of years now. They’re quality, on trend, and new purse prices tend to max out around $32.
If you can wait a little longer, though, there’s an entire section dedicated to last season’s purses called “Under $20 Sale!” Shipping to my area is only $4.55, so I can shop any purses that are $15 or under, like this Baby Pink Check purse, and still stay on budget.
The total price of $15 + $4.55 totals $19.55, so I’m staying under 20 bucks, even with shipping costs.
TIP: Get 10% off when you sign up for Mon Cheri email or text messages.
2. Simply Vera Wang Signature Envelope Crossbody Bag at Kohl’s
Before I got on my Mon Cheri kick, I was a frequent purse shopper at Kohl’s. I was a particular fan of their Vera Wang line. This collection can get pricey, unless you shop sales and clearance. Which just happens to be my M.O.
Exhibit A: This Simply Vera Vera Wang Signature Mini Crossbody Bag is $39, but watch for sales: we’ve seen it hit $15.60.
TIP: Stretch your dollar even further by shopping during Kohl’s Cash earning and redemption periods.
3. Wild Fable Rhinestone Mesh Shoulder Bag at Target
Another store where I find stylish handbags on the cheap is at Target. This is easy to achieve on the regular, whether there is a sale or not.
My favorite Target purse pick right now is this rhinestone mesh shoulder bag from Wild Fable. It just makes the cut at $20, but you can make it 5% cheaper by purchasing it with your Target RedCard for $19.
TIP: Wild Fable is a Target brand, so you can return this item for up to a year, according to the Target return policy. Even if it’s absolutely trashed.
4. Faux Patent Croc Leather Handbag at Forever 21
You can’t think of cheap purses without thinking of Forever 21. Sure, the quality is low enough that you might have to replace your handbag sooner than most, but you’re always going to find multiple options under $20.
One you can currently crush on is this faux patent croc leather handbag for just $19.99.
We do recommend shopping Forever 21 online whenever possible. The website is a lot more organized than the actual stores, and while you can pay an extra five bucks to get your purse shipped directly to your home, you also have the option to ship to a store near you for free.
TIP: Final sale items cannot be returned according to the Forever 21 return policy. But that’s not really a problem with purses, as they’re one-size-fits-all.
5. Baggallini Bryant Clear Event Crossbody via Amazon
If you’re going back to big people-y things like live concerts or sporting events after the pandemic, you’ve likely noticed an uptick in venues’ security measures. Rather than unloading your entire purse, a lot more people are opting for clear handbags to save some search time.
Amazon has great options under $20, like the Baggallini Bryant Clear Event Crossbody bag. This practical purse will run you $19.95.
If you’re a Prime member, you’ll qualify for free 1-day shipping.
Related: Looking for something a little more luxe? Here’s how to find affordable designer handbags.
6. Cheap Purses Under $20 Dollars: Ace Red Heart Shoulder Bag from Froppin on Etsy
Want something truly unique? Etsy is a great place to find products direct from the maker or small business owner, but it might not necessarily give off “cheap” vibes at first glance.
If you dig, though, you can find some real gems, like this Ace Red Heart Shoulder Bag from Froppin for just $14.99. It’s on sale, and it also comes with free shipping.
To find these treasures, apply filters on Etsy’s search. In particular, look for the Price filter, and check the Free Shipping box under Special Offers.
TIP: Etsy is a cool marketplace, but it can be expensive if you don’t know how to look for deals. Here are all the details you’ll need to save the most on your Etsy purchase.
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