Last Updated on September 10, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Are JW PEI bags actually good quality and worth it?
JW PEI bags are the under-the-radar affordable handbags you’ve probably seen all over Vogue and on celebrities including Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski without necessarily knowing the brand. With very little obvious branding, fashion-forward designs and prices nowhere near typical celebrity handbags, it’s easy to see why they’ve become such a celebrity favorite. But are JW PEI bags actually good quality and worth buying? I’ve been wearing and testing them since 2022. I first borrowed the green Gabbi bag in May 2022 and I’ve owned my red crystal Abacus since November 2023, so I can now give you a much better long-term JW PEI bags review. I’m sharing how mine have held up, the pros and cons, prices, celebrity favorites and the JW PEI bags I’d actually buy.
This post contains affiliate links and gifted items which do not affect my opinion in any way.
My JW PEI review at a glance
Quality: Very good for the price
Value: Excellent
Looks expensive: Yes, especially considering the price point
Luxury quality: No, and I wouldn’t expect it to be
Best for: Affordable statement and trend-led bags
My experience: Abacus owned since November 2023 + previously borrowed Gabbi
Would I buy JW PEI again? Yes
Biggest watch-out: Check bag dimensions and return eligibility before ordering, especially during sales
My verdict: JW PEI is one of the affordable handbag brands I’d genuinely buy again. The bags I’ve tried don’t feel cheap, and my crystal Abacus has held up extremely well. I’d just be selective about which trends I actually buy versus rent. My JW PEI Abacus still looks excellent after around 20 wears. I haven’t lost any crystals and there’s no noticeable corner wear, discoloration, lining wear, loose stitching, zipper issues or loss of shape. It’s not an everyday bag, so I haven’t put it through hundreds of wears, but based on my experience so far I’d absolutely buy from JW PEI again.
Is JW PEI a good brand?
JW PEI is a Los Angeles-based fashion brand founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife duo Yang Pei and Stephanie Li. It’s best known for fashion-forward, relatively affordable bags made using vegan materials.
So, is JW PEI a good brand? Based on my experience, yes, especially if you’re looking for an affordable bag that feels more elevated than its price suggests. I wouldn’t compare the quality to my luxury designer bags because they’re in completely different price categories, but my JW PEI bags haven’t felt cheap in person. One thing I particularly like about JW PEI is the lack of obvious logos. The designs tend to make the statement rather than the branding, which can make them look considerably more expensive than they are.
Why are JW Pei bags so popular?
JW PEI bags became popular with celebrities, influencers and fashion editors because they hit a sweet spot that’s surprisingly hard to find: statement-making designs, relatively affordable prices and styles that tap into current handbag trends without looking like designer dupes. That’s a big part of their appeal for me. When you see a bag you love on a celebrity, it’s often thousands of dollars. With JW PEI, you can often buy the exact bag they’re carrying for a fraction of designer prices.
They’re also particularly good at color and texture. You’ll find everything from classic black, cream and brown to crystals, faux croc, metallics and bold seasonal colors.
I personally tend to rent very trend-driven bags if I think the style or color might date quickly, which is what I did with the green Gabbi in 2022. For something I know I’ll keep reaching for, I’m happier to buy, like my red crystal Abacus.
What celebrities wear JW Pei bags?
The beloved JW Pei purses haven’t just been featured in numerous Vogue articles and Oprah but when I say celebrities love JW Pei bags and are always seen wearing them I’m not exaggerating! Especially the Gabbi style which comes in so many colors making it even more versatile and desirable. As seen on:
- Gigi Hadid with the yellow Gabbi ruched bag.
- Hailey Bieber carrying the white JW Pei Gabbi bag.
- Emily Ratajkowski with both the orange, yellow and golden ‘beer’ vegan leather Gabbi bag.
- Irina Shayk with the black JW Pei Gabbi bag.
- Lucy Hale with the black Gabbi ruched hobo handbag.
- Megan Fox also with the black JW Pei Gabbi bag.
- Nina Dobrev with the JW Pei Fiona Bag
- Anne Hathaway with the black Maze bag.
Are JW PEI bags good quality? My experience after almost 3 years
Yes, in my experience JW PEI bags are very good quality for the price and look and feel more expensive than I’d expect at this price point.
I’ve owned my red crystal Abacus since November 2023 and have probably worn it around 20 times, mainly for evenings and events. It still looks excellent. I haven’t lost any crystals and there’s no noticeable corner wear, discoloration, lining wear, loose stitching, zipper issues or loss of shape. I do want to put that into context though. It’s not an everyday bag I’ve carried hundreds of times, so I can’t tell you how it would withstand years of daily commuting or heavy use. What I can say is that after almost three years of occasional wear, mine has held up exceptionally well.
The zippers and stitching have also felt substantial for the price. No, it doesn’t feel like one of my Dior bags, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. That’s really where I think JW PEI gets the value proposition right.
JW PEI bags: Pros and cons
Pros
✓ Look and feel more expensive than their price
✓ Fashion-forward styles without designer prices
✓ Vegan materials
✓ Lots of colors and styles
✓ My crystal Abacus still looks excellent after almost 3 years
✓ No crystals lost, corner wear, discoloration, stitching or zipper problems on mine
✓ Celebrity-worn styles are actually attainable
Cons
✗ Some mini styles are genuinely tiny. My Abacus doesn’t fit my iPhone Pro
✗ Trend-driven designs may date faster, which is why I chose to rent the Gabbi rather than buy it
✗ Return shipping is generally the customer’s responsibility
✗ JW PEI currently states discounted/clearance items are final sale, so check the return eligibility before buying something on sale
✗ Free U.S. shipping currently requires a $200+ order
How much are JW Pei bags
JW PEI bags are considerably more affordable than designer handbags, with many of the brand’s core styles sitting around the $100 price point, although prices vary depending on the size, material, embellishment and collection. JW Pei bag prices currently vary from about $89-329 for an embellished bag which makes them incredible value for the price point.
They also run sales throughout the year, but I’d always check whether a discounted style is eligible for returns before ordering rather than buying purely because of the markdown.
Best JW PEI bags to buy in 2026
The JW PEI bags I’d personally look at first are the Abacus, Lucia, Thea, Elise and Orla. Which one I’d choose depends on whether you’re looking for something trend-led or a bag you’ll be able to style more easily season after season.
I own the Abacus in red crystal, but the Elise top handle bag is currently on my wishlist. I love how classic and structured it is, as I tend to gravitate toward bags that can work for both day and night. I’m also eyeing the Lucia Classic Top Handle Bag in Off White Croc. It gives me Himalayan-inspired vibes for way, way less. The Claret Orla weave bag is another favorite for Fall/Winter because of the rich color and intricate woven finish. As you can see, I’ve well and truly gone down the JW PEI rabbit hole, so I’ll keep updating this review as I try more styles.
Oh and did I mention they do clothing, iPhone cases and accessories, shoes and jewelry too!
JW Pei Gabbi bag review
I first borrowed the green JW PEI Gabbi bag in May 2022 when I was covering the green color trend. I tend to rent very seasonal bags and colors when I think they may date quickly, and bright green was exactly the kind of trend I didn’t necessarily want to commit to owning.
What surprised me is how much staying power the Gabbi itself has had. The ruched silhouette is still one of the styles JW PEI is known for, and choosing it in a neutral rather than a trend color makes it much easier to wear beyond a single season. I also liked that the strap was long enough for me to carry it either on my shoulder or by hand, and unlike my Abacus, it was roomy enough for my phone and everyday essentials.
JW Pei Abacus bag review
The JW PEI Abacus is the bag I can give you the most useful long-term review of because I’ve owned my red crystal version since November 2023. I originally chose the crystal version because I wanted something fun for holiday parties, dinners and events that would check off the sparkly trend, but it’s ended up being much less seasonal than I expected. Red and crystals continue to come back around, and I love it as an easy way to make a simple evening outfit feel more glamorous.
After around 20 wears, mine still looks excellent. I haven’t lost any crystals, the handle hasn’t lost its shape, the zipper still works perfectly and I haven’t noticed any corner, lining or stitching wear. The biggest downside is the size. My Abacus is too small to fit my iPhone Pro, which is annoying if I don’t have pockets. It does fit my ID, cards, lipstick and keys, so I tend to use it when I only need the essentials.
JW PEI bags FAQ
Is JW PEI a luxury brand?
No. I’d describe JW PEI as an affordable contemporary fashion brand rather than a luxury designer brand. Its appeal is getting fashion-forward designs and a more expensive-looking aesthetic without luxury pricing.
Is JW PEI a good brand?
Yes, based on my experience. My Abacus has held up extremely well since November 2023 and the JW PEI bags I’ve handled look and feel better than their price would suggest.
Is JW PEI a dupe brand?
Some JW PEI bags definitely give me the look and feel of luxury designer styles for a lot less, which is part of their appeal. For example, some of the structured, croc-effect and top-handle styles tap into the same handbag trends you’ll see from luxury fashion houses. However, I wouldn’t describe every JW PEI bag as a direct designer dupe. JW PEI is its own fashion brand with named designs including the Gabbi, Abacus, Lucia and Thea, and many of its bags have their own recognizable silhouettes. If you love the aesthetic of luxury handbags but don’t want to spend designer prices, JW PEI offers plenty of styles that tap into similar trends while being sold under JW PEI’s own brand.
Are JW PEI bags real leather?
JW PEI is known for using vegan materials rather than animal leather.
Do celebrities wear JW PEI?
Yes. JW PEI bags have been carried by celebrities including Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski, Megan Fox, Irina Shayk and Anne Hathaway.
Are JW PEI bags worth it?
For me, yes. I think they’re particularly good value if you want a fashion-forward or statement bag without spending designer money. I’d just check the dimensions carefully and think about whether a very trend-driven style is something you’ll still want to wear in a few years.
Shop the best JW PEI bags
If you’re looking for an affordable bag that feels more expensive than its price, these are the JW PEI bags I’d shop right now. I’ve included a mix of more classic structured styles and trend-led statement bags, so there’s something whether you’re looking for an everyday bag or a fun evening option.
Follow
For more fashion, style, sale alerts and what’s trending now.
More bags to love
