Furla vs. Marc Jacobs: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Furla is known for its timeless Italian craftsmanship, offering elegant, understated leather handbags with a classic aesthetic. In contrast, Marc Jacobs leans into bold, playful, and trend-driven designs that blend high fashion with youthful, streetwear influences.

Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right handbag for your style and budget.

Furla: Timeless Italian Elegance

Founded in 1927, Furla is an Italian luxury accessories brand celebrated for its sophisticated, high-quality handbags. The brand targets consumers who appreciate classic design, durable materials, and subtle luxury. Furla combines traditional Italian craftsmanship with contemporary style, focusing on clean lines and minimal hardware to create versatile pieces that work for any occasion.

• Product mix: Primarily focuses on premium leather goods, including handbags, wallets, belts, and other small accessories. Their collections are known for classic silhouettes designed for longevity over fleeting trends.
• Price point: Most handbags fall between $200 and $600. Popular styles like the Metropolis mini crossbody or the Babylon collection are typically priced around $400-$500, making it an accessible luxury choice.
• Quality & Materials: Renowned for using high-quality Italian full-grain and top-grain leather. The craftsmanship is meticulous, with precise stitching and durable, understated hardware that ensures their products last for years.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is refined, elegant, and timeless. Furla favors minimalist designs and classic shapes, making their bags easy to style for professional settings, daily use, or special events.
• Return policy: Offers a standard return policy, typically allowing returns within 14-30 days of purchase.
• Sustainability: The company is committed to responsible sourcing of leather, utilizes eco-friendly packaging, and works to reduce production waste.

Furla is the ideal choice for those seeking a high-quality, Italian-made leather handbag with a classic design that will remain stylish for years to come.

Shop Furla: furla.com

Marc Jacobs: Bold & Playful Designs

Launched in 1984, Marc Jacobs is an American fashion brand that embodies an innovative, edgy, and youthful spirit. Its handbags are known for being fun and trend-forward, often featuring bold logos, unique materials, and playful embellishments. The brand appeals to a fashion-savvy audience that isn’t afraid to make a statement and wants accessories that reflect current culture.

• Product mix: Offers a broad range of products including handbags, clothing, shoes, and accessories. The handbag lineup is diverse, from compact crossbodies to oversized totes, featuring signature elements like bold branding and unique hardware.
• Price point: Prices are more varied, starting around $150 for smaller items and going up to $800+ for larger bags. The hugely popular The Tote Bag or Snapshot styles typically cost between $300 and $600.
• Quality & Materials: Uses a mix of materials including cowhide leather, coated canvas, and various synthetic fabrics. While the leather goods are well-constructed, the primary focus is often on creative design rather than pure material traditionalism.
• Style & Aesthetic: The brand’s identity is eclectic, bold, and modern. Designs often feature prominent logos, quirky details, and a blend of high-fashion and streetwear sensibilities that feel fresh and current.
• Return policy: Offers flexible return policies, generally aligning with industry standards for an easy shopping experience.
• Sustainability: Marc Jacobs is integrating sustainable practices by using recycled materials and working to reduce its carbon footprint, though its approach is still evolving compared to heritage brands.

Marc Jacobs is the perfect brand for individuals who see accessories as a form of self-expression and prioritize trend-setting, instantly recognizable designs.

Shop Marc Jacobs: marcjacobs.com

Furla vs. Marc Jacobs Comparison

Price Comparison

The price points for Furla and Marc Jacobs overlap significantly, but they serve different value propositions. Furla’s pricing is consistent, generally sitting between $200 and $600 for high-quality Italian leather, offering excellent value for craftsmanship. Marc Jacobs has a broader price range, with entry-level items starting around $150 and signature pieces climbing to over $800.

Marc Jacobs also tends to have more frequent sales and promotions, making their trend-driven pieces more accessible at certain times of the year. For better value on timeless quality, Furla is a safe bet. For a better deal on a contemporary fashion piece, watching for a Marc Jacobs sale is a good strategy.

Quality & Materials

Furla has an undisputed reputation for superior quality rooted in Italian craftsmanship. Their use of full-grain and top-grain leather, combined with flawless stitching and sturdy hardware, results in highly durable and long-lasting handbags. This commitment to quality is a core part of their brand identity.

Marc Jacobs products are well-made, but the brand prioritizes design innovation and materials that suit a specific look. This can include Saffiano leather, coated canvas, nylon, or other fabrics. The quality is reliable for a contemporary brand, but it can vary more across different collections compared to Furla’s consistent focus on traditional leatherworking.

Style & Aesthetic

The stylistic differences are the most significant factor for most shoppers. Furla embodies a classic, minimalist elegance. Its designs are understated and sophisticated, perfect for someone who prefers a "quiet luxury" look that can transition seamlessly from a professional setting to a weekend outing. The branding is typically discreet.

Marc Jacobs is the opposite. It thrives on being bold, playful, and of-the-moment. Logo-heavy designs, seasonal colors, and quirky embellishments are common. This aesthetic appeals to a younger, more trend-conscious consumer who wants their accessories to be a recognizable and central part of their outfit.

Shopping Experience

Both brands offer a premium shopping experience online and in-store. Furla’s website is clean and user-friendly, mirroring its elegant aesthetic with high-quality imagery and detailed product information. In-store, the atmosphere is sophisticated and service is personalized.

Marc Jacobs' online presence is more vibrant and engaging, reflecting the brand's energetic identity with styling tips and interactive features. Their boutiques and department store counters offer a modern, lively shopping environment. Both brands provide good customer service and standard, hassle-free return policies.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer fantastic products, but they cater to very different style priorities and personal tastes.

Choose Furla if:

• You prioritize timeless Italian craftsmanship over fast-fashion trends.
• You want a versatile, high-quality leather bag that works for the office, evenings, and weekends.
• You prefer an understated, elegant aesthetic with subtle branding.
• You are looking for a long-term investment piece that will never go out of style.

Choose Marc Jacobs if:

• You love making a fashion statement and staying on top of current trends.
• You enjoy bold designs, playful details, clever collaborations, and visible branding.
• You want an accessory with a youthful, edgy, and streetwear-inspired vibe.
• You enjoy having a variety of styles and materials to choose from for different looks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Furla or Marc Jacobs more expensive?

Their prices largely overlap in the $300-$600 range. However, Marc Jacobs offers more affordable entry-level items starting around $150, while Furla's pricing is more consistently in the mid-tier luxury segment due to its Italian production and material costs.

Which brand has better quality?

Furla is generally recognized for its superior craftsmanship and consistent use of high-quality Italian leathers, making it the better choice if durability and material excellence are your top priorities. Marc Jacobs' quality is very good, but the focus is more on trend-forward designs where material choices can vary.

Is Furla considered a luxury brand?

Yes, Furla is considered an accessible luxury brand. It offers the high-quality materials and craftsmanship associated with luxury without the extreme price tags of top-tier designer houses like Prada or Gucci.

What is Marc Jacobs most famous for?

Marc Jacobs is most famous for its culturally relevant and trendy handbags, particularly recent hits like The Tote Bag and the Snapshot camera bag, which have become instantly recognizable fashion items.

Which brand is better for a work bag?

Furla is typically the better choice for a professional work bag. Its classic, structured totes and minimalist designs offer a sophisticated and polished look that fits well in a corporate environment. Styles like the Marc Jacobs Editor Tote can also work, but many of their designs are more casual.

Do Furla and Marc Jacobs bags go on sale?

Yes, both brands have sales, especially at the end of a season. However, Marc Jacobs is known for having more frequent sales and promotions throughout the year compared to Furla.

Where are Furla bags made?

The vast majority of Furla bags are made in Italy. This commitment to Italian production is a key element of the brand's identity and a guarantee of its quality standards.

What kind of style is Marc Jacobs?

Marc Jacobs' style is eclectic, bold, and youthful. It often blends elements of haute couture with streetwear, grunge, and pop culture, creating designs that are playful, irreverent, and always on-trend.