Are Luxury Bags Even Cool Anymore?

I’m going to say something blasphemous. I don’t think mainstream-luxury is cool anymore. Gone are the days of the term “luxury” being synonymous with good quality; now, boutiques are jam-packed with cheaply-made, logo-covered iterations of seasons past. I no longer stop and stare at the girls wearing their most expensive, recognizable, luxury bags as they pass me on the street. Instead, I do a double take at the unique, vintage or quirky bags I’ve never seen before. 

In a world of logomania and “super dupes,” seeing something less mainstream is like a breath of fresh air, allowing for less market saturation and more self-expression. Instead of being swooned by brands in the luxury market, I am beginning to fall in love with mid-range bags that are outperforming their counterparts in terms of style, quality and price.

Brands That Are Doing It Right

Scouring the internet, you will run across thousands of brands claiming to sell bags in genuine leathers and trendy styles. However, after getting my hands on many of them, I realized most are not what they claim to be. Instead, they’re cheap, factory-made dupes of better products. Luckily, we’re here so you can learn from my mistakes.

One of my new favorite brands is family-owned leather manufacturer Pietro NYC. After 43 years in the industry, Pietro NYC is one of the few leather manufacturers left working out of the New York Garment District. The brand is not only putting out their own designs, but is also producing goods and samples for nearly every major designer and well-known brand that still manufactures in the United States–meaning their quality is proven and relied upon by big names. 

I was immediately drawn to the brand when I was introduced to The Lafayette, a mini-barrel bag designed in supple leather that is available in 15+ colors. I got my hands on the embossed-crocodile version and was extremely impressed with the quality–especially since the bag is under $200. Pietro NYC only has a few styles on their website–but what they do, they do well.

Another brand I was drawn to was Gigi NY. I had heard of them before, but wasn’t aware that the brand’s factory was set up right outside NYC in Long Island. Gigi NYC not only focuses on their own line, but when touring the factory you may see products for Harrods, Itoya of Tokyo and Tiffany in production. 

After spending some time using Gigi NYC’s Avery Bucket Bag, I was once again shocked at the price disparity between the beautifully-crafted bag I was holding and most traditional, luxury bags on the market. The quality difference was astounding, with some luxury bags I’ve worn showing wear with tarnished hardware and loose stitching after just a few uses. The Avery Bucket Bag exceeded my expectations with sturdy leather and stitching that I felt safe putting to the test against my heavy laptop. After continued wear, I can tell this bag will just get better with age, unlike some other bags in my closet. 

Similarly to Pietro NYC, Gigi NY is family-run and prioritizes exceptional value without the luxury markup.  Both Gigi and Pietro are able to cut out the middleman and by producing in the United States, they can inspect the product directly off the production line–guaranteeing superior-quality. 

Does Luxury Equal Quality?

Short answer–no. This has been something that consumers have been catching onto for years. Your favorite luxury influencer has probably gone online to complain about the poor quality of her new Chanel Classic Flap, or you may have spent hours scrolling through endless TikToks exposing famous brands (think orange boxes) for using the same Chinese factories that produce dupes listed on AliExpress. 

So, if the big-name brands we used to strive for are cutting corners, why are smaller brands like Gigi NY and Pietro NYC able to keep their products high-quality? It mostly comes down to their direct-to-consumer approach. By handling everything in-house, they can bypass the large budgets and high-overhead costs of keeping large quantities of stock on hand.

“We've noticed that many brands today charge premium prices, but not all of them deliver on long-term quality—especially as more production moves offshore, and materials shift toward cost-cutting alternatives,” said Tom Glazer, owner of Gigi New York.

Luxury brands continue to increase their prices, not because the market demands it, but because they have the power behind their name to continue to do so. As quality diminishes, Luxury brands will continue to have enough supporters to increase prices–just because of a small logo, American manufacturers like Gigi New York push high-quality and craftsmanship to keep their customers coming back for more. Without the giant marketing budget and cult following, these homegrown brands cannot rely on a logo to win over consumers. 

‍“Our silhouettes are intentionally timeless and seasonless because we want customers to invest in pieces that last, not trends that fade,” said Glazer. “While our pricing reflects that commitment, we’re proud to say our quality consistently exceeds the price tag—especially compared to many larger, luxury competitors.”

Similarly, family-owned leather manufacturer Pietro NYC has observed a significant shift in the luxury market. Many of the brand’s competitors seem to be prioritizing a higher price point over quality of goods.

“We've noticed a trend where the quality of goods has unfortunately diminished, often relying on shortcuts like cheaper hardware and materials,” said Ashley Dabagh, co-owner of Pietro NYC. “It appears that for some larger names, consumers are increasingly paying a premium for the brand itself, rather than for superior craftsmanship.”

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