The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Love Kate Middleton’s designer handbag? Here are 7 similar styles that are much cheaper
If you don’t have thousands of pounds to splash out on a Grace Han version, head to the high street
Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts
Sign up for our free IndyBest email
The Duchess of Cambridge is well known for her influential wardrobe, with what she wears often selling out within minutes.
Mixing high-end labels and high street pieces, from jewellery to knitwear and even face coverings for royal engagements, Kate Middleton’s fashion even inspires brands, such as M&S, to create dupes of popular pieces, such as a £40 version of an Emilia Wickstead £1,500 polka-dot dress the royal sported at an event in July 2020.
The latest accessory Kate Middleton has been spotted wearing is a Grace Han bag, called the love letter handbag.
The black, leather piece with gold detailing on the straps and buckle and an envelope-style closure has been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge on three separate royal engagements within the last six months, so it certainly has the royal seal of approval.
Created by British Taiwanese designer Grace Han, it’s available not only in black, but a dusty pink, bright red, light blue and mauve. It’s proved so popular that it has doubled sales for the handbag brand.
Read more:
It doesn’t come cheap, however, and will set you back £1,595 if you were hoping to add it into your own wardrobe.
But if you’re keen to emulate Kate Middleton’s style, we’ve hunted down similar models for a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re a fan of the Duchess of Cambridge or simply looking for a new handbag, here’s our handpicked selection.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The Cambridge Satchel Company poppy bag in leather: £145, Cambridgesatchel.com
Available in 10 colours, from oxblood to aqua blue, this is a modern take on a traditional doctor’s bag, with a structured design that will add a smart touch to any outfit. It is also made with an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap, nickel hardware and push-lock closure, so it’ll keep your valuables safely stowed away when you’re out and about. Stylish yet practical, it also comes with a dust bag so you can keep it safe from scratches when you’re not using it.
Coccinelle marvin handbag: £216.99, Zalando.co.uk
If you love the gold hardware on Kate Middleton’s bag of choice, this similar style will tick all your boxes. If you’d prefer to wear it as a cross-body bag or on your shoulder, it comes with a longer strap that you can attach to the handle loops. Inside there’s a mobile phone pocket, but it’ll also come in handy for storing your face covering. Compact but big enough to hold all our essentials, it’s a staple piece for your wardrobe that will get lots of wear.
The Uniform leather handbag: £195, Libertylondon.com
If you prefer a shape that’s a little more structured, look no further than this navy leather handbag, which is slighter smaller than Kate Middleton’s and therefore great if you’d prefer a more compact style. It has the same fold-over flap and gold detailing, with a single top handle or a shoulder strap, depending on how you choose to wear it. It’s a clean, minimalistic design that will pair with every colour and print in your closet.
Kate Spade romy mini top-handle satchel: £149, Katespade.co.uk
Made in soft pebbled leather, we found this gem in the Kate Spade sale, so if you love it, snap it up before it sells out. We love the heart twist lock that will keep your things safe while also being a fun design element, but there’s also two slots inside, along with three compartments designed specifically for cards – perfect for when we’re allowed to travel again. It’s lined with faux suede too, which is sure to be super soft to the touch.
Fossil stevie small crossbody: £45, Fossil.com
For a more affordable pick under £100, this Fossil crossbody bag is perfect. Rectangular in shape, it has an envelope closure and gold hardware to rival the Duchess of Cambridge’s, without the designer price tag. It’s smaller in size, with one slim, zipped inner pocket, but big enough to fit an iPhone 11 pro max or a Samsung Galaxy S10, keys and your travel card. It comes with a shoulder strap too, which has gold elements to match the rest of the hardware.
Coach parker top handle bag: £245, Houseoffraser.co.uk
This design features a patent leather closure that’s perfect if you are looking for more texture in your handbag. It also comes with compartments to keep your stuff organised and to avoid a panic-filled rummage to find your bank card in a busy queue. The detachable shoulder strap has a 55cm drop, so it can easily be transformed into a cross-body style if you prefer.
Radley hope street leather large open top shoulder bag: £229, Johnlewis.com
If you love the original Grace Han style but need something roomier to fit all of your everyday essentials, this Radley design has a similar, minimalistic, slightly rounded shape but with a zip and twist clasp rather than an envelope-style closure. With an adjustable shoulder strap and three spacious compartments, it’s practical without losing any style points and perfect for shoving everything you need in before heading out the door.
For more shopping guides for the royals, read where to buy Princess Eugenie’s velvet yellow headband and similar styles
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.