Bene: The Italian Leather Handbag You Need This Season

“Bene celebrates the eccentric culture rooted in New Orleans and the Italian tradition of luxury leather craftsmanship and design”

Let’s talk handbags. Is it just me, or are quality leather handbags few and far between? Prices seem to keep increasing for a classic designer handbag and accessible on-trend brands don’t seem to have that timeless quality of our favorite designer brands. Today I’m so excited to spotlight a brand I have loved for years and truly stands out in the luxury handbag spectrum: Bene.

We first met founder, Ellie Schwing, many years ago at Harbor Docks in Destin, FL – and we have loved staying in touch and following the growth and success of her brand, Bene! We always love supporting female-owned companies, and Bene’s luxury leathers and gorgeous designs are a must-have.

What makes Bene so unique is the tie between her New Orleans roots and the Italian influence of residing in Rome. Each handbag is designed and handmade in Northern Italy, using only the finest leather and quality craftsmanship. Bene brings luxury handbags into your everyday lifestyle, plus a wide selection of colorful leathers to compliment any look. As any Southerner knows, the New Orleans culture is truly special and unique – and I love how Bene works with local artists to design bold and vibrant linings to bring a New Orleans flair to these timeless bags. You can learn more about the artist who designed the lining of each bag on her website!

This Fairfax bag is one of my new favorites this season – and best of all it doubles as a trendy belt bag (read more about this trend here). The wide strap and structured shape give a more tailored look than your standard crossbody bag, and the gray crocodile leather is simply stunning! The adjustable strap makes this bag so versatile and can be styled in so many ways. Safe to say, you will be seeing a lot of this bag this Spring!

For a casual weekday look, I paired the bag with a champagne satin blouse, cropped jeans, and block heels. To coordinate with the gold hardware on my Bene bag, I wore these simple gold hoops and a chunky gold chain necklace.

Whether you’re looking for a timeless everyday handbag or want to try this season’s fun belt bag trend, Bene has the best handbags that we know you will love!

Keep scrolling to see more of my look and click here to learn more about Bene.