Brandon Maxwell Bags: The Vance, the Maxwell and the Louise Explained
Brandon Maxwell Bags: The Vance, the Maxwell and the Louise Explained
Brandon Maxwell makes three handbag families: the Vance Weekender, a large softly structured carryall; the Maxwell, a frame bag with a top handle; and the Louise Pochette, a slim shoulder bag. All three are handcrafted in Italy, lined in beige suede and finished with palladium plated hardware. Coveti carries eleven of them across nappa leather, suede, calf hair and embossed croc and python.
By Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti.
The bags follow the same logic as the clothes. Shapes are architectural but never fussy, the hardware is minimal, and the beige suede lining is there for a practical reason: it makes the inside easier to see. Here is how to choose.
The Vance Weekender
The Vance is the house carryall. A central belt strap runs down the front, a long zip pull marks the exterior pocket, and twin top straps carry by hand, at the elbow and on the shoulder. Inside there is a phone pocket and space for a laptop, a planner, a wallet, keys and sunglasses. A removable mirror on a chain doubles as a card holder.
Size: about 44cm long, 23cm deep and 28cm high, with a 23cm handle drop.
- Vance Weekender in Black Leather: smooth nappa, the everyday choice.
- Vance Weekender in Black Embossed Croc: new for Fall 2026, with a glossy croc texture.
- Vance Weekender in Black Calf Hair: also new this season, soft and tactile for winter.
- Vance Weekender in Sand Suede and Malt Brown Suede: calfskin suede in two warm tones.
The Maxwell frame bag
The Maxwell is the most formal of the three. A custom metal frame opens easily, teardrop shaped gussets give it its silhouette, and the handles are cut to sit on the shoulder, in the hand and at the elbow. It does not come with a crossbody strap.
Size: about 30cm long, 13cm deep and 14cm high, with a 19cm handle drop. It holds a phone, a wallet and keys, with a discreet card pocket.
- Maxwell in Black Leather: smooth nappa, the classic.
- Maxwell in Malt Brown Suede: suede body, leather handles.
- Maxwell in Black and White Embossed Python: the statement version.
The Louise Pochette
The Louise is a slim, sculptural shoulder bag, the lightest of the three. A sculpted palladium bar closes it magnetically, and the same mirror on a chain sits inside.
Size: about 23cm long, 7cm deep and 15cm high.
- Louise Pochette in Black Leather
- Louise Pochette in Espresso Leather
- Louise Pochette in Black and White Embossed Python
Which Brandon Maxwell bag should you buy?
| Bag | Best for | Carries | Strap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vance Weekender | Work, travel, weekends | Laptop, planner, wallet, keys | Two top straps, shoulder length |
| Maxwell | Office to dinner | Phone, wallet, keys | Top handles, no crossbody strap |
| Louise Pochette | Evenings, everyday light | Phone, cards, lipstick | Shoulder strap |
If you only buy one, buy the Louise in black: it is the easiest to wear with everything from a velvet gown to jeans. If you need a bag that does a full working day, the Vance in nappa is the one.
How to care for a Brandon Maxwell bag
Keep leather and suede away from long exposure to sun, moisture and oils, and blot any marks gently with a soft cloth. For anything more, use a leather specialist. Polish the hardware with a dry, soft cloth, and store the bag upright in its dust cover, lightly filled so it keeps its shape.
Browse more designer totes and top handle bags and shoulder bags, then see how they work with the Brandon Maxwell dresses guide.
The leathers, explained
- Nappa leather: smooth, soft and the most versatile. Used on the black Vance, Maxwell and Louise, and the espresso Louise.
- Calfskin suede: warm and matte, in sand and malt brown. Keep it away from rain and brush it gently.
- Calf hair: new for Fall 2026 on the Vance, a short, glossy pile with a winter feel.
- Embossed croc: new for Fall 2026 on the Vance, a glossy textured finish in black.
- Embossed python: black and white on the Maxwell and the Louise, with smooth leather handles.
How to style a Brandon Maxwell bag
The bags were designed alongside the clothes, so they sit naturally with them. Carry the Vance with the Trinity Coat and flat boots for a travel day. Hold the Maxwell at the elbow with the Alora velvet jacket and the Irving Pant for the office. Wear the Louise on the shoulder with the Sable velvet mini for a party, and swap it to a white shirt and jeans the next morning.
How Brandon Maxwell bags compare
The closest comparisons are other quiet, architectural leather goods: The Row, Toteme and Alaia. Maxwell’s bags are more structured than The Row’s and more polished than Toteme’s, and the beige suede lining and the mirror on a chain are details you will not find elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Brandon Maxwell bags made?
Brandon Maxwell bags are handcrafted in Italy, in nappa leather, calfskin suede, calf hair and embossed croc and python leather, with beige suede linings.
Does the Brandon Maxwell Vance Weekender fit a laptop?
Yes. The Vance Weekender is designed to carry a laptop and a planner along with a phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses, and measures about 44cm by 28cm.
Does the Maxwell bag have a crossbody strap?
No. The Maxwell frame bag carries by its handles, on the shoulder, in the hand and at the elbow, and does not include a removable crossbody strap.
What fits in the Brandon Maxwell Louise Pochette?
The Louise Pochette measures about 23cm by 15cm and holds a phone, cards and a lipstick, with a mirror on a chain inside that doubles as a card holder.
Where can I buy Brandon Maxwell bags?
Coveti carries the Vance Weekender, the Maxwell and the Louise Pochette online, with authenticity guaranteed and express worldwide shipping.
Shop the full Brandon Maxwell edit at Coveti, with authenticity guaranteed and express worldwide shipping.
Read next: who is Brandon Maxwell, the Fall Winter 2026 edit, where to buy Brandon Maxwell.
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