15 purse-friendly purses that look designer chic without breaking the bank

A designer look for a fraction of the price? Yes please

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A purse can say a lot about its owner. It can either say ‘I’m here to spend money and boy do I mean business’, or ‘I’m skint and I’ll never be able to afford anything in here’. Store staff aren’t going to fawn over you when you pull out a scruffy looking coin purse filled to the brim with receipts dating back to 2008, but even if you’re broke for the month, there’s no reason for people to know that, right? Right.

Fortunately for you, and me, and everyone else who wants to fake being slightly fancier than they actually are, you don’t have to spend a bomb to look like a big spender. There are some great high-street purses that may just pass for designer chic if you didn’t know any better, and we’ve hunted them all out for you.

Here are 15 purse-friendly purses that’ll have stores giving you that VIP treatment pronto.

Image: Showbit

River Island Pom Pom Tassle Zip Around Purse

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Who says we can’t inject a little boho chic into our handbags? The fabric outer and pom-pom and tassel detailing is light relief from the usual leather styles, and hey, if we can’t have fun when shopping, then when can we?

River Island Pom Pom Tassle Zip Around Purse $36.64, from ASOS

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Contrasting Studded Crossbody Bag

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For the serious shopper who wants to have two free hands at all time (who doesn’t?!), this wallet-bag hybrid is a touch of genius. No need to worry about dropping it as you rifle through looking for the right credit card, because this bad boy’s got a handy strap. It also looks a lot more expensive than it actually is!

Contrasting Studded Wallet Crossbody Bag $29.90 from Zara

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Metallic Green Purse

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We love a good metallic, so to find such a bold colour that’s still chic is a big tick in our proverbial box. No one’s gonna miss you pulling this beauty out your handbag, so pair with a black bag for a pop of gloriously shiny colour.

Metallic Green Purse $14.90, from Pull & Bear

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

I'm Not Broke Small Purse

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And if all else fails trying to impress those store staff, just tell everyone outright.

I'm Not Broke Small Purse $14.90, from H&M

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

River Island Bow Front Purse

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Did someone saaay statement purse? And all for a price that’s probably less than whatever cash you’ve got inside. Bargain.

River Island Bow Front Purse $58.90 from Zalora

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

River Island Leather and Suede Mix Slim Purse

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There’s a lot going on with this purse, but it somehow still seems to keep that designer chic edge. Leather, suede and bold red, it’s one of those pieces that just works.

River Island Leather and Suede Mix Slim Purse $25.86 from ASOS

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Dorothy Perkins Neutral Asymmetric Panel Purse

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Scream sophistication with muted colours and high fashion asymmetric lines. This is a purse that shows you mean business without being too boring.

Dorothy Perkins Neutral Asymmetric Panel Purse $43.90, from Zalando

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Black Wallet With Slogan

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A luxe-looking slogan anything is hard to pull off, but Zara’s nailed it with their ‘awesome all the time’ purse. And what nicer way to receive self-affirmation each time you go to spend money.

Wallet With Slogan $19.90 from Zara

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Fiorelli City Large Zip Around Purse

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Why make it when you can fake it? With a faux-leather outer that you wouldn’t blink twice at, this cheeky Fiorelli piece even comes with a gold detail zip for an extra certain sha-bam.

Fiorelli City Large Zip Around Purse $51.72 (on sale), from ASOS

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Pink Purse

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It may only be little, but now you’ve got rid of all those receipts, you might find that you don’t need anything bigger after all. Smaller styles like this are also great for taking out at night so you’ve only got the basic things you need.

Purse $12.90, from Mango

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

River Island Metallic Swirl Clip Top Purse

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It’s all about the texture again with this pleasingly pastel number. With its rose gold accents, it’ll look great day and night, but especially nice in a cocktail bar

River Island Metallic Swirl Clip Top Purse $41.90 (on sale), from Zalora

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Dune London Slim Foldover Purse

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Practical, stylish and shiny. What more could you want in a purse? And in life.

Dune London Slim Foldover Purse $58, from Zalora

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

Snakeskin Effect Leather Purse-Wallet

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Okay, so this one may be the priciest on our list, but we still think it looks more like a $500 piece than a $125 one. A wise investment if you ask us!

Snakeskin Effect Leather Purse-Wallet $125, from Massimo Dutti

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

French Connection Metallic Wallet

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A standalone zipped pouch tucked inside makes this a quirkily functional purse, which also looks just gorgeous. Bonus points if you manage to match this to your shoes and accessories.

French Connection Metallic Wallet $107.75, from ASOS

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50

ASOS Leather Foldover Purse in High Shine

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A great alternative to the pricier Ted Baker high-shine purses, this is a steal for the price and proof that sometimes, simple is best. Thanks to its flat foldover design, it’s great for slipping into a clutch bag that you might struggle to squeeze a bulkier purse into.

ASOS Leather Foldover Purse in High Shine $25.86, from ASOS

 

ALSO READ: 5 NEW STYLISH PLACES TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE; AFFORDABLE EARRINGS THAT LOOK LUXURY, ALL FOR UNDER $50