16 Brands Like Vendula London for Whimsical Handbags
You found a bag that looks like a tiny London bookshop, complete with hand-stitched awnings and miniature window displays. Then you discovered it sold out overnight. That sting of missing out on a Vendula London drop is real, and it keeps happening because novelty bag lovers are a devoted crowd with sharp eyes and fast fingers.
The good news? Vendula is far from the only brand turning handbags into wearable works of art. Whether you want character-driven fandom pieces, gothic storytelling, or retro pin-up charm, these 11 brands deliver the same conversation-starting magic that made you fall for Vendula in the first place.
1. Kate Spade New York
Kate Spade built an empire on the idea that accessories should make you smile. Their novelty collection leans hard into that philosophy with bags shaped like everything from taxi cabs to strawberries, all rendered in high-quality leather with crisp, polished finishes. Where Vendula paints detailed scenes across their bags, Kate Spade distills that playfulness into bold silhouettes and punchy colour blocking that reads across a crowded room.
The craftsmanship holds up to daily wear in ways that cheaper novelty bags simply cannot match. Prices land between $150 and $400, putting Kate Spade in a sweet spot where whimsy meets lasting quality. If you want a bag that sparks joy on Monday morning and still looks fresh by Friday, this is your starting point.
Best for: Polished professionals who want playful details without sacrificing everyday wearability.
Shop Shop Now At Katespade Now
2. Loungefly
Loungefly turned fandom into a fashion category. Their mini backpacks and crossbody bags feature licensed designs from Disney, Studio Ghibli, Marvel, and dozens of other beloved franchises, each covered in detailed appliques and embroidery that fans obsess over. New collections drop constantly and sell out fast, creating the same hunt-and-collect energy that Vendula fans know well.
At $50 to $120, Loungefly makes character-driven bags accessible without cutting corners on the details that matter. The stitching on a Totoro backpack or a Nightmare Before Christmas crossbody holds up to scrutiny from even the most dedicated collectors. These bags do double duty at conventions and coffee runs alike.
Best for: Pop culture devotees who want their favourite characters rendered with genuine craftsmanship.
Shop Shop Now At Loungefly Now
3. Tote & Carry
Tote & Carry treats every bag as a canvas. Their vegan leather pieces feature hand-drawn illustrations that span entire panels, creating storybook scenes you can actually carry. The artwork ranges from botanical prints to whimsical animal portraits, and each design has an intentionally handmade quality that mass-produced bags never capture. If Vendula builds miniature worlds on their bags, Tote & Carry paints them.
Prices sit between $60 and $130, making this one of the most affordable ways to own a genuinely artistic bag. The vegan leather construction appeals to conscious shoppers, and the brand's limited production runs mean you will not see your exact bag on five other people at the same event.
Best for: Art lovers who want illustrated, one-of-a-kind pieces at accessible prices.
Shop Shop Now At Totencarry Now
4. Sourpuss Clothing
Sourpuss takes the novelty bag concept and dips it in black coffee and horror movie marathons. Their catalogue is packed with bags featuring vintage monster movie graphics, black cats, skulls wrapped in roses, and retro Halloween motifs that stay relevant year-round. The vibe sits somewhere between a 1950s drive-in and a haunted house gift shop, and their fans would not have it any other way.
Most bags fall between $50 and $100, keeping the brand firmly in impulse-buy territory for anyone who spots a design they love. The construction is solid for the price point, and the prints hold their colour through regular use. Sourpuss proves that "whimsical" does not have to mean "sweet."
Best for: Alternative fashion fans who want novelty bags with a dark, rebellious edge.
5. Killstar
Killstar channels occult aesthetics into bags that feel pulled from a gothic fairy tale. Moon phases, tarot imagery, pentagrams, celestial maps, and alchemical symbols appear across structured handbags and backpacks built with surprisingly thoughtful hardware. The brand manages to make dark themes feel stylish rather than costume-like, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
With prices ranging from $40 to $100, Killstar delivers serious visual impact on a reasonable budget. Their bags pair naturally with all-black wardrobes but also work as a striking contrast piece against softer outfits. The brand has cultivated a loyal community that treats new drops with the same enthusiasm Vendula collectors bring to limited editions.
Best for: Gothic and witchy aesthetic lovers who want everyday bags with mystical details.
6. Banned Apparel
Banned Apparel raids the best decades of the twentieth century and stitches them onto affordable bags that refuse to blend in. Their range covers rockabilly cherries, vintage pin-up illustrations, retro cartoon characters, and classic car motifs, all wrapped in bright colours and bold patterns. The brand shares Vendula's love of storytelling through design but leans toward Americana and mid-century pop culture rather than British charm.
At $30 to $70, these are some of the most budget-friendly novelty bags available anywhere. The low price point makes it easy to build a collection that matches different moods and outfits. Quality is respectable for the cost, and the designs photograph brilliantly for anyone who treats their bag as part of a curated look.
Best for: Rockabilly and retro enthusiasts shopping on a budget.
Shop Shop Now At Bannedapparel Now
7. Pusheen Shop
The official Pusheen Shop transforms that round grey cat into an entire accessories line that kawaii fans cannot resist. Bags feature Pusheen as a mermaid, a unicorn, a pizza enthusiast, and dozens of other scenarios, each illustrated with the clean lines and pastel palette that made the character an internet phenomenon. Like Vendula, every Pusheen bag tells a tiny story through its artwork.
Prices stay friendly at $30 to $80, and the casual styling works for school runs, weekend errands, and anywhere else that could use a dose of cheerfulness. The brand regularly releases seasonal collections that keep the range feeling fresh, giving collectors a reason to check back often.
Best for: Kawaii enthusiasts and character merchandise collectors who love cute, casual bags.
8. ModCloth
ModCloth curates vintage-inspired accessories from multiple designers, making it a treasure hunt for anyone who loves retro handbags with personality. Their rotating selection includes bags with novelty prints, quirky embroidery, unusual shapes, and throwback details that span everything from 1940s wartime chic to 1970s boho. The editorial approach means every piece feels intentionally chosen rather than mass-produced.
Bag prices typically range from $40 to $150, and the variety means you can find something whether your taste runs toward ladylike structure or free-spirited fringe. ModCloth rewards patient browsing, and their clearance section often hides genuine gems at steep discounts.
Best for: Vintage fashion devotees who enjoy curated shopping and discovering new designers.
9. Lulu Guinness
Lulu Guinness turned a lip-shaped clutch into a global icon and never stopped pushing the boundaries of what a handbag can look like. Her designs blend British wit with pop art sensibility, creating pieces that belong as much in a gallery as they do on your arm. Bold graphic prints, oversized motifs, and unexpected colour combinations give each bag an artistic confidence that Vendula fans will instantly appreciate.
Prices range from $200 to $400, placing Lulu Guinness in investment territory where every purchase feels considered. The quality matches the price tag, with materials and construction that hold up across seasons. These are statement bags in the truest sense, designed to anchor an entire outfit around their presence.
Best for: Fashion-forward buyers who want gallery-worthy statement pieces with British heritage.
Shop Shop Now At Luluguinness Now
10. Mimco
Australian brand Mimco brings a contemporary spin to the novelty bag space, combining tactile embellishments with modern silhouettes that feel current without chasing trends. Oversized hardware, textured finishes, metallic accents, and bold colour choices give their bags a distinctive personality. The design language is less illustrative than Vendula but equally committed to making every bag feel like a deliberate style choice.
Prices fall between $80 and $200, positioning Mimco as a mid-range option with above-average build quality. The brand has a strong following in Australia and the UK, and their online store ships internationally. Mimco works well for anyone who wants the spirit of novelty accessories filtered through a cleaner, more architectural lens.
Best for: Modern minimalists who want tactile, embellished bags without overt novelty themes.
11. Betsey Johnson
Betsey Johnson designs bags the way rock stars play encores: loud and absolutely over the top. Her collection includes bags shaped like telephones, gumball machines, and boom boxes alongside more traditional silhouettes covered in leopard print and dangling charms. If Vendula London whispers a charming story, Betsey Johnson shouts it from a glitter-covered rooftop.
Most bags land between $50 and $200, offering maximum personality per dollar spent. The brand has been a fixture in novelty fashion for decades, earning a reputation for fearless design that never takes itself too seriously. Betsey Johnson bags attract compliments the way magnets attract metal, making them ideal for anyone who dresses to be noticed.
Best for: Bold dressers who want maximum visual impact and unapologetic personality.
Shop Shop Now At Betseyjohnson Now
Written by
Spencer Lanoue
