If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Sales & Deals Kate Middleton’s Top-Handle Bag Is Fancier Than a Crossbody and More Functional Than a Clutch — Get the Look from $20 She’s been carrying the style for years By Alyssa Grabinski Alyssa Grabinski Alyssa Grabinski is a celebrity shopping writer for PEOPLE. She’s an expert at finding affordable lookalikes for celebrity-worn styles seen on Oprah Winfrey, Katie Holmes, and Kate Middleton. She also rounds up can’t-miss sales, the best weekend deals, and top-notch beauty buys celebrities are currently using. People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 13, 2023 07:00PM EST Photo: Getty Images Kate Middleton can’t stop and (hopefully) won’t stop carrying this chic handbag style. The Princess of Wales, 42, stepped out for the annual Christmas carol concert in December, and once again, we spotted a timeless top-handle bag in tow. On theme with her Chris Kerr coat and Holland Cooper trousers, she accessorized her winter white outfit with a $555 Strathberry bag, per the brand, that followed suit. The royal tends to stick to the styles that work for her, and that includes top-handle bags. She’s paired them with her outfits for everything from a royal tour to a rugby match to greeting fans. She even let a baby play with her purse once, supposedly saying, “I'll come back for it!'” Getty Images Top-handle bags look more elevated than a crossbody bag and are more functional than a clutch. You can fit a handful of essentials in them, and when you get tired of holding them, you can wear them on your arms instead. They also pull an entire ensemble together, often tying in various elements of an outfit. TL; DR: They’re probably what your outfit is missing. Top-Handle Bags Inspired by Kate Middleton JW Pei Lucy Croc Embossed Top Handle Bag, $53.10 with code NEW10 (orig. $79); jwpei.com Kate Spade Katy Medium Top-Handle Bag, $230.84 (orig. $398); zappos.com The Drop Diana Top-Handle Crossbody Bag in Dark Green, $19.80 (orig. $24.02); amazon.com Mango Padlock Croc Embossed Envelope Top-Handle Bag, $29.99 (orig. $49.99); shop.mango.com Kate Spade Puffy Mini Top-Handle Crossbody in Parchment, $139 (orig. $399); katespadeoutlet.com By Anthropologie Clear Buckle Top-Handle Bag in Black, $78; anthropologie.com Awqvf Bamboo Handle Purse with Zipper in Brown, $27.54 with coupon (orig. $28.99); amazon.com Aldo Papioni Handbag in Other Black, $48.71 (orig. $65); zappos.com Steve Madden X Marks The Spot Top-Handle Bag in Gold, $57.79 (orig. $98); zappos.com Aldo Porsha Bag in Light Brown, $58.46 (orig. $65); zappos.com Staise Top-Handle Handbag with Straps in Green, $30.15 with coupon (orig. $36.99); amazon.com Julia Roberts' Cape Jacket Is a Stylish Alternative to a Puffer Coat, and You Can Get the Look from $32 JW Pei Lucy Croc Embossed Top Handle Bag, $53 (Save $26) Nordstrom Rack Orig. $79 $53 at Jwpei.com Winter whites are elegant, but a little black purse, or LBP, is also a must-have staple. And this JW Pei bag, which is now doubly discounted, is very much like another version the Princess of Wales owns: It has a crocodile-embossed finish, an envelope-style flap for opening and closing, and a sturdy handle for carrying. At large, the brand JW Pei has been worn by Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Megan Fox, and more, plus, it’s been included on Oprah’s Favorite Things List. Kate Spade Katy Medium Top-Handle Bag, $231 (Save 42%) Kate Spade Orig. $398 $231 at Zappos Kate Spade bags can cost a pretty penny, but at the time of writing, this one is more than $150 off. It looks big enough to hold your wallet, phone, and a book or Kindle, but it’s still easy to carry from the car to the store. You’re also basically getting two bags for the price of one since you can wear it like a crossbody bag, another celebrity style trend, or carry it by the top handle. Just clip on the strap or remove it, depending on what you need for the day or occasion. The Drop Diana Top-Handle Crossbody Bag, $20 (Save 18%) Amazon Orig. $24 $20 at Amazon In 2019, the Princess carried a green top-handle bag, which would be festive for upcoming celebrations. The Drop’s Diana purse could similarly be worn one of two ways and has “such a classic look,” according to one Amazon shopper. There’s “not a lot of room inside,” but there’s still enough to fit a “small wallet, phone, keys, and lipstick,” they added. If top-handle bags can stand the test of time for Kate Middleton, you need one in your closet, too. Keep scrolling to shop more purses inspired by the Princess of Wales now. Mango Padlock Croc Embossed Envelope Top-Handle Bag, $30 (Save $20) Nordstrom Orig. $50 $30 at Mango.com Kate Spade Puffy Mini Top-Handle Crossbody, $139 (Save $260) Kate Spade Orig. $399 $139 at Katespadeoutlet.com By Anthropologie Clear Buckle Top-Handle Bag Anthropologie $78 at Anthropologie Aldo Papioni Handbag, $49 (Save 25%) Zappos Orig. $65 $49 at Zappos Steve Madden X Marks The Spot Top-Handle Bag, $58 (Save 41%) Zappos Orig. $98 $58 at Zappos Aldo Porsha Bag, $58 (Save 10%) Zappos Orig. $65 $58 at Zappos Staise Top-Handle Handbag with Straps, $30 (Save $7) Amazon Orig. $37 $30 at Amazon Awqvf Bamboo Handle Purse with Zipper, $28 with Coupon Amazon Orig. $29 $28 at Amazon See More from PEOPLE Shopping 14 of Joanna Gaines’ Favorite Home Decor Pieces from Her Fall Target Collection — from $7 Amazon Shoppers Are Adding These New Cozy-Looking Sweatshirts to Their Carts — and They're Under $30 Katie Holmes’ $2,100 Blazer Is the Layering Staple You Can Wear Over Any Outfit — Get One for as Little as $31