With its tortoiseshell acrylic body, ‘50s clasp opening and metal handle, we won’t blame anybody who might think that you’ve unearthed this gem from a vintage store in Europe. It’s vintage-without-having-vintage-impracticality, thanks to its longer body which thankfully, fits most of what we carry out today.

The easiest way to fake a “designer look” is to simply make sure the bags you buy are free of logos but instead, have “designer looking” design elements to them like this one: A mix of suede and leather, knotted handles and a slouchy bucket shape. Fold it in half and carry it like a clutch for an even higher end look.

We don’t know who first discovered the iconic circular or box wicker bags from Bali and unleashed them onto the world but if you have developed a fatigue for them, consider this one that looks like you’ve picked it up from an artisanal store in Paris instead. It’s the classic french market basket shape that has supple leather handles — giving it a designer touch.

It’s ridiculously cute (which is to say it’s tiny and…probably only fits a lipstick and card case), it looks like it was handmade by a bunch of Italian weavers, and you can wear it as a bum bag or cross bodied: this little bag is definitely bang for your buck. PS: The interior pouch can also be removed.

If you can look beyond the tote’s utilitarian purpose (no one’s going to diss how useful it is) and look at its styling possibilities, you’re going to want to fold it in half and carry it like a clutch instead to instantly make it look more expensive.

When everybody at a fancy dinner or gala is carrying a minaudiere that’s blinged out and incapable of carrying what you truly need to last the night (makeup! cards! mints!), be that chick instead who’s one part practical (go ahead and throw a deodorant inside this bag) and one part I-don’t-really-care-but-I-still-look-good (the front buckle + chain handle elevates its look).

There’s a reason why anything that’s mock croc instantly looks more expensive: It’s basically because high end designers use mock croc too. But the two rules of thumb to follow when buying anything of that material are: 1) The simpler the silhouette, the better and 2) Too much gold or silver accents and it’ll instantly look cheap. This bag hits all the right notes.

Nobody really needs another leather tote but when it comes with fringe details (think about all the potential boomerangs), a braided shoulder strap (very bohemian!) and a slouchy leather body that says hey-I’m-fun-loving-and-I-don’t-care, this one is a winner.

If you associate the hobo bag with the Olsens and Sienna Miller circa early noughties, yeah well, that’s not a bad thing because the silhouette is slowly making its way back. Our favourite of the week comes in a textured faux snake skin with modern metallic hardware.

The angular lines, the stiffness, the metallic gold hardware and the chain strap: We could be describing any expensive designer bag (if you know, you know) but surprise, it’s this one instead that’s priced at what you’d spend on a fun night out (and you are going to want to bring this one out on aforementioned fun nights).