One of my goals for 2026 is to accessorize more—I'm talking belts, jewelry, hats, and my personal favorite: handbags. Over the past few years, I've been intentionally building my purse collection, and it truly makes picking out an outfit that much more fun!

The right handbag can completely transform your look; whether it's adding a pop of color, interesting texture, or a bold statement piece that elevates even the simplest outfit. In this post, I'm sharing stunning statement purses at every budget, along with styled outfit ideas that let the bag shine. I've also included a separate roundup of pearl purses because I'm obsessed with anything pearl and had to share all the amazing options I found! PLUS, while putting this blog post together, I even found dupes for 2 of my favorite designer bags, so be sure to scroll all the way to the end to check them out!

My favorite places to shop for fun handbags are:

TJ Maxx (this is the most budget-friendly option, plus I love the thrill of the hunt!)
Anthropologie (these can sometimes be a splurge, but for the most part, these are great value for a mid-range price point)
Staud (pricey, but they do a beaded bag better than anyone!)
Target (another budget-friendly option; Target has really upped their purse game lately!)
Vintage shops!! For truly unique, one-of-a-kind bags (and again, the thrill of the hunt hehe)

Below, I'm sharing handbags I've come across and absolutely loved! When I'm shopping for a statement bag, here's what catches my designer eye: a bold pop of color, interesting texture (think beaded, woven, velvet, or satin), or that unique "wow factor"—an unexpected shape, eye-catching pattern, or distinctive material that makes you do a double-take. Keep scrolling to see how I'd style some of these beauties!

01 Green Beaded Scallop Edge // 02 Brown Marble Clutch // 03 Pearl Cross Body // 04 Pink Floral Beaded // 05 Butter Yellow Mini Clutch // 06 Colorful Beaded Pattern // 07 Beaded Pink + White Stripe // 08 Red Mini Slouch with Fun Buckle // 09 Navy Blue + Silver Beaded Pattern

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HOW TO BUILD YOUR OUTFIT AROUND THE BAG

When it comes to styling an outfit around a statement handbag, I always try to let the bag be the star of the show. The bolder the bag, the simpler the rest of the outfit can be. I love tying in my accessories by matching my jewelry to the purse hardware (gold buckles on the purse = gold jewelry) or echoing that pop of color somewhere else (like pairing a green purse with a green gemstone necklace).

Also, don’t feel like the rest of your outfit has to match the color of your purse exactly! I like incorporating a complementary color or a darker/lighter shade of the same hue. In one of the looks below, I paired a bright red purse with a polo featuring stripes in a deeper shade of red—the bright red bag is still the hero of the outfit, but those other pops of red tie the whole look together.

FOR THE PEARL GIRLS

Okay these were too good — they deserved their own section! I've always loved pearls, but these handbags have taken my obsession to the next level! There's just something so feminine and chic about a pearl! Also, these would also be perfect for any wedding-related event if you happen to be a bride or bridesmaid!

01 Circular Handle / 02 Large Clutch / 03 Shoulder Bag / 04 Pearl Cross Body / 05 Satin + Pearl / 06 Heart Handle

SUPER DUPER CUTE DUPES

While putting this post together, I stumbled across two bags that made me do a serious double-take…they're soo similar to designer bags I've had on my wishlist forever. I feel like it's my duty to share these dupes because they’re too good to keep to myself!

Prada Bag // Prada Dupe // Coach Bag // Coach Dupe

And there you have it! Statement handbags are honestly one of the easiest ways to elevate an everyday outfit. Whether you're investing in a designer piece or finding an incredible bargain, the most important thing is that you have fun styling it. Which bag was your favorite? Let me know in the comments!