Handbags - designer appeal or design appeal? - YouLookFab Forum

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Handbags - designer appeal or design appeal?

Thistle

Veteran

This is a new to me site with less well known (to me!) designers with some amazing pieces, particularly this one (although I doubt I could get it over my shoulder!): http://roztayger.com/product/n.....are_vivier

It did make me wonder, though, how much of a handbag is designer appeal (status, etc.) and how much is true quality materials and design. I try really hard not to be "advertised to" and yet I know I am.

http://roztayger.com/

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Angela K

Veteran

Well, I can only speak for myself. I just recently got on the designer bag bandwagon and find that the quality of the bags is a major selling point. The details are nicely done, the leather is richer and the bags are heavier. My designer of choice is the Michael line by Michael Kors and when you compare one of his bags to the knockoff versions there is really no comparison. So obvious that my husband even commented on it.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I know what you mean, Thistle! To a certain point, I think the quality is better when it's "designer". But some of the more iconic ones surely are that expensive because of their name and reputation, and not reflecting the actual production costs. However, they need to be impeccable to maintain their status, I guess, so they are probably of very high quality and longevity. The tote you've picked looks great.

Personally, I prefer to shop at a price point above Highstreet, but below iconic designer. That way I feel I get the most out of my budget. I like your choice, Angela K, and would easily consider doing the same if i were in the market for a new bag.

Dee

Veteran

I think there's probably a tipping point. For example, a $200 handbag is far better in terms of quality and construction than a $20 handbag. But scaling up again, I'm not convinced that a $2000 handbag is that much better than a $200 one. I agree there is probably a point where you're paying more for the name than the quality.

ETA: I have not actually tested this, since don't own any $2000 handbags, so this is entirely theoretical.

Anonymous

I agree with Dee. While I'm drawn to certain designer bags, I know they are not in balance for my family's budget. I try to be content with good quality leather bags that have design features that make my life easier instead.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

Me, if I were doing an impression of a handbag person*: I'm with clearlyclaire on the point that quality and features are the main thing. But I don't care about names or status at all. If a designer bag really did have much better quality and it seemed worth the price to me based on that, I could see going in that direction.

And the weight of a bag can often be too much for me. Better ones can weigh more, yes...but better ones can weigh more.

* <-- Not an actual handbag person; neither do I play one on TV.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

PS, that is a very attractive tote, but yes, the handle looks small.

rabbit

Veteran

I respond mostly to the saturation and depth of color, feel (of the leather), and hardware color, as well as the minimal amount of detail and a comfortable size and strap. I buy bags at Marshalls/T J Maxx so they are more in the 200$ marked down to $60 range and am often most attracted to the ones that look more casual/rugged/retro like Fossil.

cciele

Veteran

I think handbags are like denim, but the price range is wider

For both, materials and workmanship vary across price points. In general, cost is correlated with quality, but that correlation flattens out in the upper ranges (I think; I've never experience super high-end denim or handbags.

A lot depends on personal preference -- with perhaps a weighting toward fit for denim and functionality for handbags.

Brand loyalty also comes into play. Certain denim fits me better than other brands, so I gravitate toward that. For handbags, certain brands have the look and thoughtful design I like, so I just focus on those brands (you all know I'm a big Hayden-Harnett fan!)

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I love the hand-feel of nice leather, so I pet my Kate Spade very often - I do have a Zara leather shopper too with a nice leather, and I pet that too! I am more of a quality girl, I suppose than a brand girl!

unfrumped

Veteran

What clearlyclaire said.
I am trying to be more discerning and look at the details of finishing work. I go for real leather. But, there are some design features that are important to me, such as how the handles or straps fall or don't, how the bag opens and closes, being not too big, not too heavy--I like for the bag to be very user-friendly. Many of the trendy satchels are too heavy and stiff for me. Also will not buy blingy hardware, logo's.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I enjoy the quality and style sensibility of designer bags, which is why I have a lot of them. I'm a Bag Lady - and not a Shoe Lady - so paying for designer bags works for my style persona. But I love my non-designer Zara bags just as much. High-low works for me in all aspects of my style - apart from my hair and specs. I spend a small fortune on those. But that's my drama - and worth every penny.

carter

Veteran

I don't give a flit who makes my bag, only that it feels right to me. It's a happy day when I find a high quality designer knock off in a Florence market. It's a toss up what's best about it...no logo pieces to remove, or not paying for the designer's name.

dicey

I am not really a bag person, but I had a long search for a bag that was right for me. I didn't want to pay designer prices but also found most of the faux and cheap leather off-putting. A few months ago I got a Harvey's seatbelt bag for about $100. It is made from woven seat belts, so super durable and fun. I can avoid the leather question completely. Not a solution for everyone, but it was exactly right for me.

http://www.seatbeltbags.com/medium-tote-black.html

rabbit

Veteran

ooh I like the seatbelt bag!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I like both too. I do find that the few designer bags I have give me a lot of pleasure. Not because of any branding, I'm not a fan, but because of the quality & design aspects.

Anonymous

Almost all of my everyday bags are designer (a few Kate Spades and a Marc Jacobs at the moment), which is actually kind of unusual in terms of my wardrobe as a whole.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the "security blanket" aspect of the branding. It's kind of like insurance that, even if I'm having an off day fashionwise, I've got a chance of coming across as someone with some kind of clue about what I wear and some level of taste.

But I don't think I'm buying these bags because they're a name brand. What happens is usually more like this: I usually want really nice leather and good quality all around because I'm hard on my everyday bags and, well, because nice leather is nice. Then I want something that's current and stylish and also meets my picky functionality requirements. So by then I'm looking for something that's probably not going to be cheap. And, since I'm really deliberative and indecisive on big purchases, I'm going to be most interested in bags I can "visit" a few times in person before I buy, or at least read a zillion reviews of and see a zillion pictures of online. Which, in that range, usually means the big designers instead of something lesser-known.

For things like dressy bags, on the other hand, I'm all about bargain non-designer stuff from wherever I find it. Maybe because functionality and quality are less important for something that only gets used once in a while and I want something cheap enough that I won't feel guilty about replacing it just because I'm sick of it.