Help me decide on handbags

Jen

I have always been having problems finding the right handbags. My problem is that I don’t know which ones are right for me. Even when I try them on in stores, I cannot tell if they look good or not. Dresses, tops, jeans when I put them on I can tell if they flatter or not, but handbags I can’t. I just don’t know what to look for in handbags.

I desperately need new everyday handbags, one for winter, one for summer.
What do you think of these ones? Do you have any recommendations? The safe choices Angie recommended (in the 3-bag complement blog) are out of stock, otherwise I would just buy those. I’m looking for something under/around $300. I’m 5’6’’ and weigh 130 lb. Appreciate your help!!

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....=546457042

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

18 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from sandrine38

philly2

Active Member

For $300 you can get a nice designer tote/handbag. I think BR and Ann Taylor's handbags are overpriced. Bloomingdales is having 20% off most their handbags, although the offer ends today.

18 years ago

AntjeH

Active Member

Jen, here are a few questions that might help narrow things down:
- what's your dominant style of dressing (e.g. smart casual, business casual, etc.)
- what colors do you like and navigate to in your clothing? ideally your bag will not match but complement (e.g. a yellow bag if you wear a blue trench, or a red bag if you wear dark denim and light jackets, you get the drift)
- what's the occasion? is it about a bag for work, or for tooling around running errands, or for going out? or all of the above?
- what do you need to put in the bag
For $300 you can get a lot of bag You might also want to take a trusted friend with you when you shop for the bag.

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

FWIW, I like the second bag best. I don't care much for the last bag--it's kinda old lady-ish. But I dont' have the best taste in bags (0r so I'm told.)

Also, how do you carry a bag? On your shoulder, elbow, or hand? I tend to try bags on by putting them on my shoulder, but in reality, I tend to car them on my shoulder in my hand. My friend just scolded me today for leaving my purse in our shopping cart!

18 years ago

Jen

Active Member

Thanks so much for your reply! To answer your questions, I dress smart casual on weekend, and business casual during work days. I 'm looking for a bag for work, and occasionally go out with friends for lunch/dinner. I prefer a leather bag in neutral color so it goes with everything, and I like to carry it on my shoulder. I want to invest in a good looking and good quality bag so I can use it for a long time. My price limit is $300, the less expensive, the better, of course :). I like the safe choices Angie recommended in her '3-bag complement' blog, but they are out of stock, any other recommendations? Really appreciate your help!

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A super effort Jen. Antje has hit the nail on the head. It's all about your fashion persona (and your practical needs). Are you a modern classic or a little eclectic? Do you like hardware? Do you wear a lot of black?

18 years ago

Jen

Active Member

Thanks for your reply, Angie! I would say my style is modern classic (at least that is what I'm trying to achieve :)). I like how the hardware makes the bags pop. My dressy pants are mostly neutral colors, but not black. I only have 2 pairs of black pants. My sweaters/tops/blouses/skirts are pretty colorful. But my outerwear (coats, trenches and jackets) are mostly black. I hope this answers your questions. thanks for your help!

18 years ago

Jen

Active Member

I forgot to mention I'm 39 years old.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks Jen. Have you considered Coach?

18 years ago

AntjeH

Active Member

Jen, have you ever tried this website: http://www.like.com/bags#1
It's a website for finding related products based on visual appearance. I sometimes use it for shoes, and I saw they have a bag section as well. You click on a bag you like (e.g. maybe you see one that looks similar to the ones in Angie's blog entry you liked) and then you see other bags that are somewhat like this.
The visual search doesn't work perfectly, but for shoes I've sometimes found good pointers to models I might not have otherwise seen from just browsing the traditional shoe shopping sites.

18 years ago

sandrine38

Member

Hi Jen,

One of the most important things to consider when looking for a handbag is of course, the quality. I mean, looking at the quality of the leather, the finish, the hardware and of course, inside (the lining). Where is the bag made? For bags that are not made in the USA, there has to be a label inside that tells you this. If the bag is made in the USA, then the outside label (where the price is), will state so. This is important when assessing the quality of the bag and the price you will be paying. If the bag is too inexpensive, then be assured that the quality will be poor and it was probably mass-produced overseas (and who knows under what conditions). If you are looking for a handbag that will last you for years to come, then paying more money will be worth it, but always if the quality is there. Many known names (Ann Taylor, Coach, etc.), are mass producing their merchandise and are making them overseas because of the cheap labor. Still, you are not paying rock bottom prices because you are paying for them to maintain their stores, personnel and yes, advertising/marketing. All costs are passed down to you, the customer. Some women have become accustomed to logos, and Coach for one, has capitalized on this, but they sell you canvas/fabric bags at the price of a real leather one. So, I always say, be smart and do not go for that trick. Smart women know better and they do not buy this way. They look for smaller brands that offer great quality and affordability. But always, BUY LEATHER HANDBAGS. And even with leather one never knows since there are different kinds of quality. The best leather is Argentine leather (which it is found of course in Argentina, but they also export to Europe -- Italy and France. So what is Italian or French leather is actually the best Argentine leather. The U.S. also has great leather but it is not easy to find bags made here anymore (except for very artisanal work). So, do some search online and you will find great designers, smaller companies that offer unique designs, great quality and affordability. DARE TO BE DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE. You will be pleased I am sure.

18 years ago

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