For less than $300, you can get your hands on the next Viral It Bag (that is, unless they sell out first)

If there’s one thing Who What Wear’s editors are particularly picky about, it’s handbags. I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that I have good wallet taste and would be more than willing to spend my paycheck if a truly gorgeous designer version was worth the purchase. Shoes, jeans, sweaters, and other fashion items can all be affordable or ridiculously expensive. Honestly, some of my favorite pieces cost next to nothing (though you wouldn’t know it just by looking at them). However, bags are often an exception. You can tell if the leather isn’t very high quality or if the zipper always sticks. I think that’s terrible, especially considering the recent rise in handbag prices. But not all hope is lost. Unless the bag I introduce here exists.

Earlier this month, Freya, the affordable vegan leather handbag brand beloved by Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lawrence, Katie Holmes, and more, debuted its long-awaited Mercer bag. This East-West shoulder bag, available in three of Freja’s classic color options (espresso, oat, and black), has all the same features as the fashion industry’s most coveted handbags, but with a legal There’s no expensive price tag on the outside. Like Freja’s other bag options, the Mercer is surprisingly affordable at just $298. That’s exactly right. For less than $300, you can buy an on-trend, handcrafted wallet made from pebble-treated vegan ultrafiber leather. I would like to call it a modern (fashion) miracle.

I’ve been a Freja fan for years and got my first Caroline bag in 2021. I carried it with me everywhere, fielding questions and compliments along the way. When people asked where they could get it and how much it would cost, they were shocked to find out the price. It looks more like a designer handbag in person than it does online. Jenny Ray, the brand’s founder and creative director, hasn’t cut any corners. After all, she founded the brand out of frustration and a desire to never find a tote bag that was chic, elegant, and sophisticated. Where was the beautiful, understated tote bag made with attention to detail? she asked herself early on. She didn’t want to create another bag brand, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt the industry needed a bag brand that actually catered to women’s needs. Care, affordability, and practicality were all taken into consideration when creating Freja, and none of that has been lost as the brand has been featured by celebrities, content creators, editors, and more.

Even though I trust Ray’s designs implicitly, I still wanted to try Freya’s latest bag. And luckily, brands have responded. When the three options arrived at WWW’s offices, every editor of the day scrambled to take one home and try it out. The oat color was my favorite. However, I personally grabbed the black (go figure). My colleague and deputy fashion editor Nikki Chewatt scored the oat version and continued to style it in different ways throughout her review of the Mercer bag.

Nikki’s review:

“For the past few months, I’ve been looking to buy an East-West bag for its sophisticated, eye-catching, and timeless style. There are plenty of chic designer options, but until I find one that fits my budget I loved Freja’s new Mercer bag for its elegant, minimalist design. I knew this bag was a must because I could see and feel the unique and thoughtful craftsmanship that went into it. It’s thick and buttery, resembling leather, and the thin rolled strap towards the center of the bag adds a beautiful sculptural element.

“The beauty of this bag lies not just in its looks, but in its versatility. I’ve already styled this bag with everything from jeans and blazers to skirts and sweaters, and it easily elevates each outfit. What’s more, it’s incredibly functional. Two zipper design makes it easy to open and close, and there are two inner pockets convenient to organize your belongings, enough to hold all your essentials, such as a large wallet, small water bottle, hand sanitizer, mini bag, etc. The Mercer bag ticks all the boxes in terms of style and practicality, and I can’t wait to continue receiving compliments and exploring new ways to wear it.” — Nicky Chewatt, Deputy Fashion Editor.

Buy Nicky’s Bag:

My review:

Even before I took the Mercer black version out to try it out, I knew it would exceed my expectations. This shape is everything I was looking for. It’s an east-west shoulder bag that looks incredibly elegant while actually fitting what you need. In my opinion, black bags can be boring, especially if they lack bold hardware or details, but this bag is the opposite. It has small but impactful details and goes well with any outfit, so I tried it on a lot.

To properly review the Mercer, I carried it everywhere for an entire (and busy) week. They accompanied Taylor Swift to lunch at her new favorite restaurant, The Corner Store in SoHo, to nearly 1,000 fashion events and previews, to the gym, to the office, and to a late-night dinner at Lucien in the East Village. As Nikki said, the double zipper made it easy to access my keys, lip balm, sunglasses, and wallet even when I had too many things on hand. Duel straps fit loosely on your shoulders. However, I wish it was a little longer during coat season. (Handle drop is 6.5 inches.) At the time, I carried the Mercer around as a clutch, palming it like a baguette or a really cute long-haired dachshund, and found it to be just as chic.

For her first outing with Mercer in black, she was seen styling another story outfit tied in velvet, so she paired it with a high-neck tank top and a red velvet column skirt from Blazé Milano. The skirt was supposed to be the focal point of the look, so this bag, with its minimal branding and understated silhouette, was just the right accessory. Later in the week, I paired it with a button-down shirt, vintage Levi’s, and a super long cashmere wrap coat. I also paired it with my favorite kite velvet puff-sleeve top, a sophisticated suit, and a slip dress paired with a cashmere sweater. Basically, it goes with everything, so you don’t have to choose a bag to match your outfit each morning. That’s all you really need.

Are you convinced yet? Scroll down to buy Freja’s Mercer bags before they’re sold out (they will be). Or, if another Freja bag catches your eye, pick it up instead. Trust me, they’re all worth the very manageable cost.

See more Mercer bags:

See more Freja bags: