Handbag lovers: is it worth it for a luxe handbag? - YouLookFab Forum

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Handbag lovers: is it worth it for a luxe handbag?

Roxanna

Veteran

So I'm contemplating buying a luxe handbag (not sure which one, though the Givenchy Antigona has caught my eye). I love handbags and have one luxury one that I love, but I wonder if the luxury names are *that* much better to command the prices they do. The rest of my handbags are all in the $200 - $500 range, and I love them all. I am primarily concerned with feel and quality of the leather, construction and design details. Do I have to pay in the low-to mid four figures to get this? Those with luxury handbags, do you love them enough to justify how much you spent?

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Echo

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I love mine. You wouldn't know they're luxe because the logo is tiny, but the quality is great and they've held up where previous bags failed. I waited until the holiday season to purchase them because of the sales.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

My handbag shopping price range is usually like yours, and I've been tempted by those Antigona bags, also, along with some recent Ferragamo and Balenciaga models. I got one in the Antigona shape from Yoox in the fall, but hated it and sent it right back for being an empty shell. I have not taken the plunge on anything truly big ticket, I will be interested to see what other feedback you get.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think you pay for design and style once you pass the $500 price point, not functionality. The luxe bags actually might be less durable since they often are made of softer, finer leather and incorporate more intricate construction features. I think owning a four figure bag is more about appreciating the design and celebrating the history of the brand or designer than about the actual quality from a functional perspective. Such bags are works of art and can command prices to match; whether or not it's worth paying that much for a bag is an individual choice. Not everyone aspires to owning an original piece of art, but those who do find great pleasure in having such a piece in their home.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm not a handbag lover, but I do love my Gucci Queen Mum purse. I think a finely made bag has something to offer, even to someone like me. But I got this purse 20 years ago. I'd take a magnifying glass with me these days and examine every seam, every bit of hardware.

Mellllls

Veteran

I don't think I have a handbag that was more than $300 so I don't think I can help you

Anonymous

I agree with Gaylene . I own one that was bought in the 4 figure range, and although it's still going strong almost 15 years later (i only use it in the winter, and even now, not everyday ) ,I don't see it as so superior in quality than the $400 ones. Yes, I bought a designer name, and it's definitely a collector piece, but in the big picture of things, I don't go around marvelling over the super-duper quality every time I wear it. I do go around marvelling at the super-duper coolness of it though

Anonymous

And to finish answering your question: did I feel justified buying it? Yes. I made it a 40th birthday present to myself. Every woman should own at least one real designer handbag in their life, or so I read, and I decided I liked that sentiment. Not sure I'd do it again, but I'm pretty glad I have it.

Day Vies

Veteran

I'm into styling not logos so any logo on my bag needs to be tiny or on the inside of the bag. I love thick buttery soft leather and top quality construction inside and out. Having said that I think you need to carefully inspect any bag (inside and out) you choose to invest in. Look at how the handles are attached. check out the stitching of the inside lining. Are the snaps and clasps attached securely?
People tend to use luxe brands as short hand for quality and style when many brands are resting on the laurels of past quality/longevity while currently passing off lower quality construction and materials as equivalent.

Lisa

Veteran

I think the quality of the material and the level of detail SHOULD dictate the price of a handbag, but too often, it's the name of the fashion house creating it that decides the price.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have a Gucci bag that I got at a consignment store that I love. Well I just I love it even though it is a bag. Not sure I would pay full price for it. It looks like it will last a lifetime. I also have a very expensive Italian leather bag that is not a particularly famous designer bag but is very cool looking and beautifully made. I got it on sale. I love it too. It will probably last a lifetime as well and I doubt anyone else will ever have one.

An ex boyfriend (in early 1980s) bought me an expensive Italian bag that is still going strong. It is beautiful.

So my opinion is a beautiful well made bag can last a lifetime and has nothing to do with the designer. I seem to favour Italian bags.

Staysfit

Veteran

Well, I bought a Ferragamo bag for myself as a 5oth birthday present this year. It is the first truly expensive bag I have owned. The others are in the price range you describe. I would say that the quality is maybe slightly different in that the lining is leather instead of cloth. Otherwise it seems maybe the same, but the design is exquisite. I absolutely love the bag. It it is by far my favorite and I have no regrets whatsoever. I would say to go for it if it is something you truly love, if it makes your heart sing, and if you cannot find anything else that will fill the same purpose.

Anonymous

Day Vies summed it up perfectly. I agree with everything she wrote and follow her advice myself.

Joyce B

Veteran

You ladies are making me feel less guilty about keeping the $300 bag I am thinking of keeping.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

From what I have seen I have to agree it is the styling rather than the quality that you are paying for above a certain point. There may be exceptions but I have not seen them yet.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I'm a big handbag gal so I have lots of purses in the sub-$300 range. I love Kate Spade and try to get them on sale. But I splurged and got a Chanel purse for my 40th birthday. I love it and will use it for a long long time (and pass it down to DD someday). That said, I don't use it any more than my other cheaper purses. I go with what goes best with my outfit, whether it's the Jason Wu for Target purse or the Chanel.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

I don't "get" handbags. To be fair, the most expensive bag I have ever bought was only about $70 (although I do have a few bags from Marshalls with an "original" price of like 150). I have found that my more expensive bags do not last any longer than $20 bags from Target. Then again, maybe there is more of a quality difference with higher prices. Personally I usually get tired of bags before they wear out, so I'm not sure it would ever be worth it to spend that kind of $ on one. My last two bags have been leather Tignanello bags. I was incredibly disappointed in the way the first Tig bag I bought actually did wear out right away. I have had Wal-Mart bags and fake patent Guess bags that have lasted way longer.

Roxanna

Veteran

Thanks everyone from your replies! It's so illuminating to hear different perspectives on the subject. I, too, thought it was the styling commanding the premium and not necessarily the quality. I have a Tods bag that i love and use a lot, but I wasn't sure if I should save up for another luxe bag or explore some of the awesome Canadian designers out there that sell bags with interesting design details at quarter of the price. A lot of you brought up inspecting the quality of the bag closely and I will for sure do that. I guess it will be whatever makes my heart sing!

Kailua

Member

I cannot afford to buy a luxe bag, but if I could I would buy one that was sturdy, with a classic style that would last years to come.

Bprincezz

I have several Chanel purses and love them all. They are good quality and last for years. I have not regrets.

unfrumped

Veteran

I wouldn't do it personally because I'm not a bag person and because I don't feel comfortable with that expenditure, probably interrelated as I would consider paying for find jewelry, and basically both are adornments and a bag even has a use!
That said , if I WERE tp do so, I don't think I could just go get something calculatingly( " must add a good bag") but would explore like a treasure hunt, see what makers and materials , shapes I was drawn to, and then be ready when one " called my name". Or do without until it did.

Echo

Veteran

I agree with some previous posters in that I don't think one is paying for increased quality much past the $500 or $600 mark, but instead paying for styling/brand/history/etc. I do have two high end designer bags, and while I adore them and am not sorry I have them, I generally prefer dabbling in mid-range bags. I tend to tire of accessories quickly and enjoy having something in every style and every colour. Mid-range designer bags are much easier to play with that way.