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Choosing a handbag that will last for a few years?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I was wondering if there are any guidelines on choosing a handbag that will be stylish for quite a few years. I hate handbag shopping, they are down on my list of things that I prefer to shop for, but I realize that a great bag can add a lot to an outfit. I was sort of formulating a plan in which I would buy one really spectacular bag a year, until I have all the colors I want (black patent, cream, white, brown, red). Since I haul a lot of stuff around, and probably will for the next 5 years or so, a tote style will work best for me. But what sort of details should I look for? Are there embellishments and things that go in and out of style or date a bag that I should avoid? Any guidance in this area would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Patience

Veteran

Ana, I'm afraid I can't answer your technical questions but here's my two cents.

1. You can't go wrong with Coach.
2. I think handbags are very personal things so if you find one you really really love you'll probably use it for a long time.
3. I'm not sure what features would date a handbag and I know you'll avoid downright gaudiness. In other words, I think you have good enough judgment to to choose something that will not date.

Angie's blog post today had me looking around. This reminded me of your last handbag search:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3.....65094.html

And I am seriously considering it for myself.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I found a couple of bags that I like. Now, I wouldn't really consider buying these (for obvious reasons), but would these be considered "classic" styling that I could use for about 5 years? I'm probably willing to spend up to $500 if I was only going to be buying one major bag that year:

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/p.....Product+ID

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/p.....Product+ID

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/p.....Product+ID

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/30471

Thank you!

Anonymous

Try http://www.designersimports.com
Look around. they have some great things that fall under $500.

They have some great prada bags at great prices:

http://www.designersimports.co.....gs_all.htm

I have this one and I love it:

http://www.designersimports.co.....2958_c.htm

By the way, I LOVE that first YSL black leather bag, and the Chloe is amazinggg. Those are the kinds of things that make me wish I had a million dollars.

mirah

Lissy I love that Prada bag!

Ana, I am not much of an expert on designer bags but from my view a classic and stylish bag would have the following qualities.. ( and these may differ from your style preferences :)..)

1. a neutral color as your list already includes

2. fine quality leather if you are not against leather..patent seems to be trendy to me but a fine grained and soft leather looks timeless

3. minimal studs, links or other embellishments. at the most links at the straps connecting the bag.. and that too in a platinum/silver and matte finish ..

4. shoulder length straps such that you can tuck it under your arm with ease..not too long nor too short

5. fairly structured.. not too slouchy or too stiff and roughly rectangular (vertical or horizontal)

To me the Chloe handbag in the last link you have above is perfect!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is a good strategy, Ana. I have been building up my handbag collection for years, but unlike you I love to shop for bags of any description!

Remember that your handbag needs to be healthy ( go back to the Oprah post on our site). Patience and Mirah have offered superb sound advice. Few things I’d like to add:

o You don’t need to play it safe with a handbag. If it’s a little unexpected – GREAT
o Patent has become a basic, like skinny jeans. We are into our 4th season of each. Go for it. Personally I prefer cracked patent. More of an edge.
o You’re still young. Be mindful of matronly styles.

Brands are less important. Better end handbags tend to be well made and that’s always nice. But cheaper handbags can be just as fab. Let the hunt begin!

Julia

Ana you have great taste, all four of your links look great to me. I love the YSL and the Tufi Duek bags the best. I hope that patent will stay and last for many years to come, I consider it a classic but I could be wrong.

Julia

Angie's post came out while I was writing. I'm glad that patent is considered as a basic.

Nicole

Veteran

Boy I have to admit that I cannot relate to this topic at all. I don't find any of those bags all that attractive or practical. And I couldn't bring msyelf to pay hundreds (never mind thousands) of dollars on a pocketbook! I don't think it's a matter of what an individual can afford either. There is just a cap in my mind of how much something is worth and how much I'm willing to pay for it.

With that said, Ana, why don't you keep your eye open at off price stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx etc. I see designer bags in there in the $200-$300 price range, that have original MSRP price tags of several hundred dollars more. Often times, they get put on clearance to just move them out because they are so expensive people are not buying them.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for the advice, everyone, and the link Lissy! It's very helpful. I'm excited my plan will work then! I think I'd rather have a few really phenomenal bags (even if I have to save up for a year or so on the side) than a bunch of so/so. I will keep an open mind with regards to price point and look for interesting details and quality, as you suggested Angie. Also, in regards to a healthy bag, I'm thinking I want to keep my bag 3 pounds and under, and am going to look into buying e-textbooks so I don't have to carry giant math books (as math book always are) around with me all over campus, just my laptop.

I'm glad to hear patent is a basic. I love the look of it, and I think that's about the only type of black handbag I would carry. Where can I find cracked patent? I've never seen it before.

Angie, how would you characterize "matronly?" Any of the ones I posted above?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Nicole, your post just came out while I was posting. I do visit TJ Maxx and Marshall's and Ross, and always check the bag section, but I haven't found anything I like there so far. I think in my area, those stores get heavily shopped and women ARE buying designer bags there, so all that's left are the really ugly, overpriced-in-the-first-place bags, or the $400 bright neon green bag, which (while edgy--gee, I wish it came in black or white) is not what I would consider a basic that I would spend that much money on. Make sense? I will continue to check those places out, though--thank you for the suggestion!

Also, spending thousands of dollars on hand bags isn't something I want to do either. I wasn't planning on buying those--they were just examples of styles that I like. I think maybe I don't like shopping for bags because I'm so darn picky about them, I can never find any that I like in my price range, so shopping for them is frustrating. Kind of like Maya and her shoes.

Anonymous

Have you thought about fabric bags at all. Do you sew or know anyone who would sew them for you. There are lots of really nice patterns out there these days. It would keep the cost down on materials and you could make another one when you get tired of the one you currently have. They could also be made of something that looks like patent leather, and a lot of people now have home embroidery machines so you could have a bag something like your favorite pair of embroidered shoes. You may be able to find some patterns through google.
After seeing someone on this forum (sorry I don't remember who at this moment) show her collection of very nice and expensive Coach handbags, and asking if any of them are still in style I got a bit of a jolt on the fact that they don't seem to stay in style for all that many seasons. A bag may look like it is built for a lifetime and cost a bunch because it is a fine product but then it is dated and has to go. Seems like such a waste.
If you do want to collect fine leather handbags I think you should absolutely love each one for it's comfort, usability, classic style and color. Like Mirah says minimal imbellishments, and not too heavy when empty.

Anonymous

Also Ana, I normally shop at Nordstrom's and the cost of a handbag there can be daunting. They do almost always have a sale table, but that is usually full of trendy things that are left over. When I went to Macy's recently I was shocked at the huge purse department and the prices were much better. This was in WA so hope you can find the same selection in TX. Good luck.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nice casual JS bag Patience.

None of the handbags you have linked to are matronly, Ana. But some of the styles are more classic than others. I don’t see you with a classic handbag. I see you with a style that’s a little more fun. Sophisticated, but fun. Do I sound obtuse?

lindz

I was also recently looking for a handbag that would be a long-term piece, one that I could wear for at least a couple of years. I ended up settling on a very plain Cole Haan dark brown leather hobo. I looked at probably 100's of bags, but I found that it helped to zero-in on a designer or brand that seemed to have my "style" and was somewhat classic.

I narrowed it down to a Cole Haan or Banana Republic bag- both because they have very simple, clean lines, and are not very trendy/flashy (like Louis Vuitton or Coach). They are also both high-quality leather and well-made.

I really dislike handbag shopping too, but by identifying some general styles (hobo, satchel) and designers that I really liked, it became less overwhelming. OH, and I would definitely recommend going to a department store and trying on quite a few different shapes in person and seeing which look best on your frame.

Also, if you do find one you like, def go home and google the brand/style name- you can typically find great deals at sites like Smartbargains and Bluefly. Best of luck~

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm....I think I know what you mean. So are you thinking the Chloe tote is more on the sophisticated/fun side, and the Tufi Duek bag is more on the classic side?

lindz

I think this tote has really clean and simple lines, I can't see it going out of style any time soon~

http://www.smartbargains.com/g.....%252f%252f

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My perception is that both YSL bags (may he rest in peace) are more contemporary than all the others (Prada , Chloe and Cole Haan included). Do you see that, Ana?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I think so--I have way less experience and confidence with handbags than apparel. Is it because it has interesting details likes snaps or grommets, but is made of "traditional" materials?

What I really like about the black croc YSL tote is the material it's made of, but the really big grommets are what make it really interesting to me. The white YSL bag has a really interesting shape, and the pocket on the outside has snap embellishments that are interesting as well.

I think what I liked best about the Tufi Duek bag was the color, and that the leather looked really soft and creamy, same with the Chloe bag. But if I could find other bags with the same color and materials, that would be okay too. Does that make sense?

Tanya

Veteran

Ana, do you like this one from Kooba:
http://www.kooba.com/pd/p/96300.html

I am seriously considering saving up in the fall for it.

Angie, is this style contemporary enough? I am truly bad when it comes to bags, I know nothing at all about them ( my nicest bag is from Hype, which is not that nice of a brand anyway). And, is this an example of cracked patent you speak so highly off? I wish the hardware was silvertone tough.
http://www.kooba.com/Jasmine_P.....96244.html

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I don't know anything about bags either, Tanya, so you're not alone!

I like the bag, but not for me. Maybe if it was red patent....I like it in general though, and I could totally see you carrying it around!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes Ana! You make perfect sense. You are on the right track with your thinking. Now we’re talking 

Pretty bags Tanya, and yes, that’s cracked black patent. The two kooba bags illustrate a style difference well:

#1 = classic, safe, refined and proper
#2 = urban, contemporary, lots more arty-farty funk

But both are sophisticated, polished and beautifully made. Has the penny dropped?