Best handbags under $650

Top pick: Coach Tabby 26 in loved leather. It's the one bag here that works for both a workday and an evening out — a real leather shoulder bag that converts to crossbody, with a magnetic snap that's easy to get into one-handed. If you want a single bag to carry daily, start here.

Who the others suit:

• Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28 — the relaxed, slouchy shape for someone who wants a Coach bag without the structured look.
• Coach Teri in signature canvas — lighter and more casual; good if you switch bags often and want something that shrugs off daily wear.
• Coach Chelsea Small — smaller and dressier, for evenings and dinners rather than a laptop-and-everything day.
• Portland Leather tote — the pick if you carry a lot: plain, sturdy leather, no logos, and the highest owner rating of the bunch.
• Michael Kors Jet Set tote — a roomy zip-top carryall for travel and commutes.
• JW PEI Lucia and Hana — vegan leather, for anyone who'd rather skip animal leather and keep the spend modest.
• Michael Kors chain crossbody — hands-free and compact for nights out.

Two things worth knowing: the Coach Brooklyn listing is a marketplace sale, so confirm authenticity and condition before you buy, and the very cheap PU and EVA bags are beach-and-errand bags, not everyday leather.