Handbag wardrobe?

Jan

Hi, newbie poster here. I am wondering how/if you started a handbag wardrobe? I think I should start with a basic black for everyday. Any recommendations? Also what do you all think is a good price point for a good quality leather bag? Thanks.

12 years ago

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Aquamarine

Anonymous

I think you can't go wrong with starting with a classic neutral in the best quality you can afford, but can you really ever have too many bags?

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I got some great responses to my bag question here:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-edit-them

There are also some links, in the responses, that are really helpful

12 years ago

Jan

Active Member

Oh thank you. I will be perusing those links!

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

We did a post recently sharing our handbags - might be some fun ideas/photos in there.

12 years ago

RunswithDolphins

Active Member

I love this question. I bought my first really nice handbag about 8 years ago at the urging of my daughter. I was going on my first cruise and decided on a neutral toffee coloured bag Christopher Kon bag. It's the softest leather and has a really comfortable strap that tucks right snuggly under my arm. It's just the right size, doesn't weigh me down but holds enough stuff. It cost between $250-$300.

Well I learned a very important lesson on that trip. We went with friends and landed in Barcelonia and because our room wasn't ready we stopped at an outdoor cafe and took the group photo. Almost immediately a man came along and grabbed my friend's backpack which had their passports, credit cards, jewelry, etc. He probably would have got my bag too but I had the handle wrapped around my hand and kept in my lap covered up by a napkin. We spent the next day getting them temporary documents. I held my new bag close to me at all times and I now never take expensive bags with me when I travel. My friend's insurance covered her losses and when we hit Florence she replaced her jewelry at the Ponte Vecchio!

I still love that bag and wear it a lot, especially in the warmer weather. My only regret is that I didn't also buy it in black. Here's a photo I just took - sorry for the flash strobe - I'm still learning how to take good pics.

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12 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

Some things to think about, rhetorical of course :

How do you like to carry your bag? This is will narrow your search considerably.

Consider your life. What situations require a particular type of bag?

What color(s) are neutral for you? Or what colors would work well with most of your wardrobe?

Looking at bags can be overwhelming! There are way too many options. I was just at Zappos and they had something like 4000 bags... and that was just handbags. Yikes.

I like to make sure I have the following:

**a clutch for dressy occasions... don't need it often, but really need it once in a while
**tote big enough for a novel and water bottle
**cross body bag for quick shopping trips so I can be hands free
**straw-ish tote for summer

Another thing to consider: If you really love to wear color, you might prefer a neutral color bag that goes with everything. If you love to wear neutrals, you might like colored bags to add interest. I tend towards neutral clothing colors, so I use my colored bags much more than my neutral black one. Your mileage may vary.

12 years ago

Susie

Veteran

In my opinion, you can never go wrong with black
But I am also very fond of my pewter, red, purple, yellow, and dark green bags too!

I think you first need to decide what shape you prefer, how you like to carry it (on the shoulder, satchel on your arm, clutch, cross body) and what size. Years ago I preferred only single strap shoulder bags. Several years ago, I switched to satchels, collecting quite a few in different colors. It's probably still my preferred shape, but lately I am loving clutches and using them as everyday bags.

Gosh the price can vary so widely. You can find a nice one for under $100, especially at places like TJ Maxx or ebags, on up to several hundred.

We recently had a post showing our collections that would be fun to take a look at.

12 years ago

Jan

Active Member

That's a great bag Runs with Dolphins. Unfortunately, I hear more European travel tales including a theft of something lately. My daughter had her iPhone stolen in Barcelona. They now call it "apple picking".
I think I need to start with a good black bag and. The shape is important. I have one too small and another that everything gets lost in.
The Price is hard to swallow, but I think the bargain bags of the past have not met my needs. The hunt is on...

12 years ago

minimalist

Veteran

Jan, I'm on the same hunt. Have already swallowed the price, but I want to find ONE, just one, high-quality, versatile bag that will do it for me.

QFBrenda makes a really good point about color vs. neutrals.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I spent a lot of time finding a black leather tote last year that was no too big, and ended up with a Longchamp. It serves me well, and I love the neutral design. I paid enough for it, but it will last me for years. I recommend starting with a black baglike you said, and then add a lighter one next.

Unfortunately, Barcelona has gained a bad rep lately because of all the theft and pick pocketing. I think it has a lot to do with the financial crisis in Spain, a lot of people there have nothing now.

12 years ago

Jan

Active Member

Yes, that is true Ingunn. The youth have been hit very hard there too with terrible unemployment. I would visit regardless to see the beautiful Gaudi architecture.
I will put Longchamp on my list to investigate.
Amy, let me know how you make out in your hunt.

12 years ago

VernieJane

Active Member

I think its a good start to have at least one high quality leather handbag that is also roomy. But deciding between brown and black leather is not easy... If you invest in quality bags, say one bag per year, you'll quickly have a collection that you'll be able to use in rotation for the next 10-15 years. Bag trends do change, but a good, sharp leather bag will always look good.

One site that has some sales on bags from time to time that I found...I love their new UGG Jane Shearling tote in both colours... That said, I don't think UGG's quality is worth the money... Nine West is a brand that usually has affordable pièces that will become old standbys.

12 years ago

Neel

Veteran

I am just starting to build my handbag wardrobe. Since 95% of the time I lug kids around with me (and their diapers and change of clothes and food and water), I prefer huge bags to accommodate all of that and yet look trendy and polished.

I have added a black studded tote, a white studded tote, a green oversized tote and an animal print shoulder bag to my collection (If that can be called a collection!) of handbags. I have a few clutches and one small burgundy sling bag (these get the least mileage as they come out for special occasions only). I am looking at adding a cognac handbag and a red handbag if I come across the right one. Then I think I am pretty much covered.

12 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Not much time to read other comments so please excuse if I'm repeating.

First and foremost - consider your lifestyle. What exactly do you need the handbag for?

When I was in full time job with car as the main way of commuting, the sky was the limit, or mu personal preferences. But, I did not worry too much about the strap lengths, closure mechanisms, for example.

When I stopped working and moved to using bike on a daily basis, the crossbody bag was a life saviour. I need two free hands.

I also have the upscale backpack as Angie calls it.

These fit my own necessities plus e.g. water bottle when I'm out with the child.

Also, are you many-bags person or prefer to have less? In any case, you can't go wrong if you buy good, quality thing.

12 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

I love handbags but am very, very picky and buy a new one only every few years. I almost never toss them out, but prefer to put them in storage when I tire of them. I buy the best I can afford (which is different for everyone, obviously). I think scale is so important, too. A lot of online sites have a scale silhouette, which is helpful in seeing how a handbag will look on you. I am 5'4" and can be overwhelmed by too big a bag. I agree with all the advice about color here, too. Only you can decide your needs there. Generally, a dark one for winter and a lighter color for warmer weather is a good starting point.

12 years ago

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