Forget Boots—I’m Shopping These Affordable Winter Bags at Madewell and Mango Instead
From luxe-looking totes to buttery suede styles.
I may be a minimalist, but I'm a sucker for a trendy bag. Whether it's a slouchy tote for the office or a little clutch for a night out, I love how a bag can transform any cold-weather look. My collection is overdue for a refresh, though, so I'm turning to some of my favorite retailers—Madewell and Mango,
As far as winter bag trends go, there's a style for every occasion. Practical totes made for your nine-to-five are a current fashion-girl favorite, as are vintage-inspired purses you'd expect to see at the thrift store. The East-West silhouette stays on the shoulders of all of my favorite A-listers, while suede styles show no sign of slowing down this season—this season is all about versatility.
For your shopping pleasure, I rounded up all of the affordable bags I'm considering adding to my collection. If you want richer-looking outfits without breaking your budget (spoiler: They all cost less than $250), you can't go wrong with one of my favorite finds, below.
Madewell's iconic tote bag now comes in a rich-looking navy suede, and I'm even more obsessed.
The classic black leather version will forever be one of our all-time favorite work bags.
When you're bored of neutrals, olive green is a cool alternative.
Leopard print accessories are having a huge moment this winter.
Opt for this woven suede bag if you want to look expensive.
This cherry red bag offers a fun pop of color for your work outfits.
I think I just found the chocolate brown tote bag of my dreams.
While a leather tote will always be a classic, a suede finish feels fresh for 2026.
A chain strap takes this crossbody to the next level.
Who says rhinestones are only reserved for holiday parties?
For the woman who's always digging through her purse, a cargo bag like this is the way to go.
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Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she specializes in crafting shopping stories—from sales content to buying guides that span every vertical on the site. She also oversees holiday coverage with an emphasis on gifting guides as well as Power Pick, our monthly column on the items that power the lives of MC’s editors. She also tackled shopping content as Marie Claire's Editorial Fellow prior to her role as Associate Commerce Editor.
She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.