Best designer handbags

Start with the Gucci Horsebit 1955. It's the most versatile of the classics here: GG canvas with leather trim, a flap closure, and it comes in small and medium, so it works from weekday errands to dinner. It's also the one most widely stocked, which makes it the easiest to compare and buy.

Who the others suit:

• Gucci Marmont — the everyday black shoulder bag; soft calfskin, roomy enough for daily use.
• Saint Laurent Solferino — clean, structured leather with a twist lock; best if you want something dressier.
• Prada Re-Nylon — the light, low-maintenance bucket for travel and rain.
• Fendi Baguette — small and iconic; a going-out bag, not a workhorse.
• Loewe Puzzle — the most design-forward shape, and the softest leather of the group.
• Gucci Jackie — a slim, elegant shoulder bag for minimalists.

A note on condition: several of these are also sold pre-owned for less, and the Puzzle and The Row Sofia listings I found are pre-owned — check the condition on each card before you commit.