Everlane's 'Petra' collection becomes latest handbag with serious demand - but where's the designer price tag?

There's nothing we love more than a really good new handbag.

The lush Mulberry Willow, the perfect-for-work Alexa and let's not forget Victoria Beckham's bowling bag - name that tote and we've inevitably cursed our bank accounts for not having the balance to boot.

Which is why when we heard that a new line of handbags minus the designer price tags is clocking up as much handbag hysteria as the Hermes Birkin - we just had to check it out.

Enter Everlane's "Petra" collection, a new line of classic Italian leather shoppers that saw 7,500 people join the waiting list in a matter of days - despite only putting 1,000 into production.

Available in three styles, The Magazine, The Market and The Portfolio, the bags are made of 100 per cent fine Italian leather, with a classic design of a deep shopper with thin leather shoulder straps.

But most importantly the bags promise they won't break the bank, with prices ranging from a far more budget-friendly £200-£265 per tote.

Speaking about the frenzy their new line has created, an Everlane spokesperson told Mail Online: "We think it's getting such hype because it's a really high-quality bag, available in classic silhouettes and colours.

"It is made in an amazing factory in Italy where several luxury brands producer their leather goods (and then sell them at a high mark-up - which we don't)."

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The online-only retailer promises complete disparity with their shoppers, writing on their website: "We believe customers have the right to know what their products cost to make.

"At Everlane we reveal our true costs, and then we show you our mark up."

Sadly with 6,500 customers hankering after the bag, it looks like even with the far-friendlier price tag, most of us will still miss out on the chance to jump on the latest cult bag trend.

But fear not, as in the wake of Everlane's leather shoppers becoming the must-have tote for the AW13 season, we've found some high-street alternatives with wallet-friendly price tags - and crucially, no waiting lists.

Tell us what you think of the Everlane Petra's waiting list over on Twitter and shop our leather shoppers below.