Womenswear
Timeless British-Made Women's Bags and Satchels — Voted by the Community
This directory lists 12 brands that make timeless women's bags in the UK. They are most often based in London and Devon. Prices run from affordable to luxury. Ranked by community upvotes.
Umpie Handbags
Handmade British handbags with real character. Every Umpie bag is individually crafted in Yorkshire using exclusive heritage fabrics — unique, artistic pieces made to be loved for a lifetime.
WAWWA
WAWWA is a Manchester clothing brand making functional, gender-inclusive everyday wear in its own UK factory. They work to a pre-order model, use organic and recycled materials, and pay the real Living Wage.
- Casual
- Contemporary
- Ethical
Shop to visit- Casual
- Contemporary
- Ethical
See these brands on the map18 places from 12 brands, 8 of them shops you can visit.Open the map
Ednerat
Ednerat designs and makes women's coats, clothing and accessories. Everything we offer is made by hand in the British Isles. We champion our makers and use British textiles and materials in everything we can.
- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Shop to visit- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Campbell Cole
Campbell Cole design UK-made accessories for those who share an appreciation for the confidently understated.
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Slow Fashion
- Classic
- Contemporary
- Slow Fashion
Church of Sanctus
Church of Sanctus, established in 2012 by Lucinda Sinclair, handcrafts ethical gothic clothing in England..
- Ethical
- Heritage
- Slow Fashion
- Ethical
- Heritage
- Slow Fashion
Phoebe English
Clothing made in England attempting a variety of solutions towards less extractive fashion systems. Est 2011.
- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Shop to visit- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Hurdwick Handmade Bag Company
Hurdwick, produce handmade bags and accessories in Devon.
- Classic
- Country
- Timeless
- Classic
- Country
- Timeless
Vivien Of Holloway
Vivien of Holloway offers stunning 1940s and 1950s dresses and separates with authentic vintage charm.
- Classic
- Colourful
- Formal
- Classic
- Colourful
- Formal
Sam Brown London
Sam Brown London crafts premium leather belts, bags and accessories using British hides and traditional veg-tanning methods.
- Casual
- Classic
- Contemporary
Factory shop- Casual
- Classic
- Contemporary
Campbell's of Beauly
Campbell's of Beauly, established in 1858, is a Scottish family-run country tailor and outfitter known for bespoke tweeds, traditional clothing, and fishing equipment reflecting Highland heritage.
- Country
- Heritage
- Highland
Shop to visit- Country
- Heritage
- Highland
Owen Barry
Owen Barry is a British brand handcrafting sheepskin and leather products in Somerset since 1948, continuing a family tradition across four generations.
- Classic
- Heritage
- Outdoor
- Classic
- Heritage
- Outdoor
Pickett London
Pickett London, founded in 1988 by Trevor Pickett, is a British brand known for handmade luxury leather goods crafted in England with artisanal expertise.
- Classic
- Formal
- Heritage
Shop to visit- Classic
- Formal
- Heritage
Shops run by brands that make timeless women's bags
6 of the 12 brands that make timeless women's bags have a shop you can visit: 2 in London, others in Abergavenny, Beauly, Brixham and 2 other towns.
Abergavenny
Beauly
Brixham
Sam Brown Londonfactory shop
Dornoch
This independent directory lists UK-made clothing brands, and marks those that make only some items here.Why choose British-made?
A Brief History of British Made Bags
From about 1650 until the late nineteenth century, many women carried their belongings in tie-on pockets: separate pouches tied round the waist under the skirt and reached through openings in the dress. In the 1790s, slimmer dresses with fewer petticoats made these pockets awkward, and many women began carrying small drawstring bags instead. Known as reticules or indispensables, they held a purse, smelling salts and a handkerchief, and were often made and decorated at home. The word handbag first meant hand luggage, usually carried by men when travelling. In the later nineteenth century the leather travelling bag, with its metal fastenings, inside compartments, ticket pockets and sturdy handle, inspired a new handbag for women, the forerunner of the twentieth-century handbag. Some British saddlers and harness makers turned to bags as well. In Walsall, the centre of the saddlery trade, some firms were making travelling bags and other light leather goods from the 1870s, and turned more of their work to them as motor vehicles replaced horses after 1900. British-made women's bags today draw on this background of leatherwork and accessory making.