Good investment (designer) handbag?

Sales are coming up where I live (well they start on the first of July) and I'm considering investing in a good quality handbag* (after rereading Angie's posts on handbags). Ideally I'd need two: one neutral colour and one bright, but not sure if my budget will allow that. At the moment I have only three handbags: a black vintage clutch my mom gave me, a red medium sized tote from Esprit (wear and tear starting to show, but I haven't regretted going for red) and a brown messenger type bag that I don't seem to use a lot anymore.

I think my best bet would be a medium sized bag in a timeless classic style that would last me a few years, and that would be appropriate for business and smart casual. Does anybody have any ideas on what to get (still undecided about what to buy first: a neutral or a bright colour). Any favourites?

(*A bag is not my top priority, but I would really like one, and the sales might be the best period to have a look around. A few weeks before I found YLF I moved house and I ruthlessly went through my closet. I got rid of loads of stuff, and I'm glad I did because most of it was unflattering, too small or too big etc. but now I find myself looking at an almost empty closet and I feel quite overwhelmed. I'm almost starting from scratch (need dresses, skirts, pants, shoes, tops for the warmer weather, knitwear... and coming winter will be exactly the same) and my budget is limited.)

17 years ago

Julia

Active Member

Inge, I'd go with a neutral one first, you'll be able to wear it a lot. I like white or cream in a structured style for work or smart casual. I'm sure it will last a long time if it's in a timeless classic style and color. Good luck!

Anonymous

This is my experience for what it's worth. Last year a friend told me I should upgrade to a good bag and I agreed. I spent $350 on a Coach bag. It's nice but heavy and bulky and I soon tired of lugging it around so now I am using wristlet type clutches to run around with. Nice and light weight and holds everything I need for the day. I guess I regret spending so much on the other bag.

Nicole

Veteran

I have great luck finding designer bags at Marshall's and TJ Max for well under $100. I have several mid range bags (like Liz Clairborne and DKNY) that I use the most. And I have some no name bags that I use for awhile, while the bag is in style, then I move on.

To me, the bag itself is far more important than the brand. I don't like big bags, I don't carry alot of stuff. It has to have at least one small outside pocket, so I can easily access my phone. I don't like alot of internal compartments and it has to be comfortable to carry.

I recently bought a white patent Liz Clairborn bag (for $12 at TJ's). Once I transferred my belongings to that bag, I have not had the need to change. It is definately a spring/summer bag though.

Maybe you should start with a mid range bag that will get you into autumn, and put your funds to building your wardrobe back up.

shiny

I'm like Nicole, I have a range of bags I got at Marshall's, TJMaxx, and Target (which as great knockoffs of the current trends for very little $). I also always seem to love the bags that ATL comes out with, but inevitably, they break on me before the season is out, so don't recommend them anymore.

I also used to collect bags as sort of a hobby: anytime we'd go on a trip, I'd find an unusual, one-of-a-kind bag to commemorate the occasion. The kind of bags made my independent artists.

I do not like buying bags just for the brand name. In fact, I especially do not like bags that have their logos plastered all over them as part of the design!!!! Like the ubiquitous Coach bags.... but they aren't the only ones.

However, a few years back, I was in a consignment shop and my girlfriend talked me into spending $20 for a Coach logo bag, a small one, it has the logos but red straps. For $20, I said what the heck, I'll give it a try....

I rarely use this bag BUT I fell in love with the construction!! There really is a difference, you get what you pay for. Coach is quality. Everything from the zipper to the seams to the lining...

SOOO...

Last summer I went to the Coach store and checked out their bags that don't have logos all over. I.e., their leather bags. I ended up with a mid-sized Ergo bag in tan, which I carried all summer and throughout spain. It was perfect size and worked great.

Then last fall I went back and splurged on the handbag you see in most of my pics. It's a winter white/cream with gold hardware. I LOVE this bag and it's the first bag I've ever bought that I could see myself using for years and years and years. (Provided I keep it clean ... so I bought the leather cleaner).

If you are looking for just one bag, a winter white/cream bag is going to be the most versatile, hands down.

I do not currently own a black handbag, if you don't count my Kate Spade backpack (also purchased for $5 on consignment). For the past five years, I've been shopping for a quality, investment black bag. And I just haven't found one I like. Now that I have this cream bag, I don't think I need a black one.

Finally, if you want to go the designer route, do try better-end consignment shops. This can give you a chance to try them out inexpensively and see how you like them.

Oh - and my very fashionable girlfriend (the one that talked me into buying that first Coach bag) recently invested in a Fendi. I have to say, it is the most dog-ugly bag I've ever seen in my life!! You couldn't pay me to carry this bag. So just because it is designer, doesn't mean anything... however, I do admit the Fendi is very well made. It's just hideous.

I loved Shiny's post because I too am a bag freak.
I say go for a neutral bag that is well made and that you can see yourself carrying almost anywhere wearing almost anything. I personally agree with Shiny about the quality of designer bags, and they are really all I carry. That said, I got all of my designer bags on sale. For most of the winter, I carried a metallic leather Chloe bag, and let me just say, metallics are SUCH a great neutral. Before that bag, I was so used to switching bags with my outfits, but everyday when I got dressed, the Chloe bag worked so I just kept using it. And it never ever stopped looking as good as it looked when I got it. Now, for the summer, I am carrying a camel leather Prada bag and I love this color for the summer. It's fresh, but it doesn't get dirty like white. The leather is so so so soft and anyone who sees the silk lining and construction on the inside of it always comments about what high quality it is.
The Nordstrom near me is having a presale for handbags and I just picked up a Marc Jacobs 40% off. Also, check out http://www.designersimports.com, which is a great website that carries heavily discounted authentic designer bags. Also, if you have them, check out Loehmann's and Nordstrom Rack, which have great discounted bag selections.

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts and suggestions (I'm still grinning about the Fendi bag Shiny;-). This is very good advice.

I agree: I don't necessarily want a designer bag, I don't care about brand names and especially dislike big designer logos on clothes and other fashion items. I'm more of a subtle girl. But I do want to invest in good quality and thought the sales would be a good time to have a look around.

I'm not particularly fond of white bags, but am strongly leaning towards a cream one, or maybe a metallic leather. They seem to be very versatile and could be good for all seasons.

Consigment stores are a good idea too and I like Nicole's suggestion of going for something mid range right now. No use in having a terrific but ridiculously expensive bag and nothing to wear it with right?-)

I live in Belgium Lissy, so no Loehmann's and Nordstrom Rack here, but I am going to browse designerimports.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Such astute and entertaining advice from our forum members, Inge! You have bag-thinking to do. Perhaps you'll find this post helpful:

http://youlookfab.com/2007/10/.....-handbags/

My two cents worth: get a cream or red handbag that you can use all year-round and don’t be bogged down by designer labels. A fab Zara handbag will do just fine.

That's very sound advice Angie, thanks. I'm going to reread that particular post and will keep you guys posted about any handbag purchase.

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