Help me shop for a red handbag?

I've decided to grow my lame handbag collection by adding one quality piece per season for the next little while. I got black squared away in the fall, and next priority is red. I have pretty specific handbag requirements, though. I need both hands free to work effectively with my guide dog, so I need a certain amount of length in the shoulder strap. Because of my ample chest, however, crossbody bags don't work very well.

I've compiled a small list of Nordstrom options to get me going, and here is where you come in...I would really be grateful for some opinions and descriptions. For instance, two of the kate Spae bags are listed as "fire engine red." Is that shade as obnoxious as it sounds? My preference would be for a colour that's saturated without being irritatingly bright, and preferrably a deep red rather than a tomato-inspired shade. I will stay open-minded, though, and I welcome your feedback.

here goes...thanks in advance for your help!

Kate Spade Deanna Hobo:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ka.....tback=7091

Kate Spade Billie Satchel:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ka.....tback=7362

Kate Spade Janaya hobo:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ka.....tback=5792

Hinge convertable bag:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hi.....ltback=611

Cole Haan tote:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/co.....tback=5478

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

The fire engine red on the Kate Spade bags does look pretty bright to me. The Hinge bag is too slouchy and unstructured in style for you (in my humble opinion). The garnet Kate Spade bag is my favorite for you- I like the color and the style. It's a more structured hobo style, but not as structured as the Cole Haan, which reminds me of 50's purses.

Diana

Michelle, on my monitor all three of the Kate Spade bags look the same color - I would say it is a true red, neither too orange or too blue. Very vibrant, but not obnoxious. It is bright though! The cole haan bag is a little more subdued and more on the blue-red side. I like the first Kate Spade bag (Deanna Hobo) the most since it is a nice shape (kind of a squareish trapezoid, I'd say) with a little but not too much slouch at the top. It also has a zipper closure (VERY important for me at least for security and rain reasons) and a fab black and white big polka dot lining. I am very tempted to order it for myself!

The Hinge bag you have linked does not seem to be available in red - it comes in brandy, which looks like cognac, and black. I think it might have once upon a time come in red because there are some photos of it in red.

One thing you might need to think about is that all these bags with the exception of the Hinge bag have about an 8" strap drop. I think this might be a little too short to comfortably carry on your shoulder at all times - I know for me it would work for summer but not winter when you have a big coat adding bulk to your shoulder. I like a 10-11" drop for a shoulder bag.

Polly (thunalata)

I would have described all of the Kate spade bags as more of a tomato red. Not sure others would agree.

The cole haan is more of a blue red, which is what you want, I think, and the cole haan fits with that and is more structured than some of the others.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A beautiful handbag selection! I soooooooo approve.

If the drop on the handle is long enough, in order to manage Reva, I vote bag #1. The outside pockets are sublime. It's a magnificent red.

But if a blue red is most important to you, Cole Haan is fab too.

However, I worry that the drops are too short at 7 to 8 inches. Can you manage Reva with a drop that length?

Auburn

I'm with Angie, provided the handle length works for you (and Reva).

I purchased a Kate Spade bag that is the exact shade and texture of the Jenaya though my shape is a bit bigger.
Anyway, I am LOVING it! It's definitely closer to that tomato red that permeated the runways, but I certainly don't find it obnoxious, nor do I find it difficult to work with in styling. It's not my everyday bag (and I don't think that's what you'd buy it for either), but I love the pop of color it introduces to my outfits and I think it's a more fun and more on trend color than the blue red that has been around for ages. Just my two cents...
If you want to avoid the tomato hues, I agree that the Cole Haan is probably a better choice.
Perhaps order one of each (Kate and Cole) and then invite a trusty friend over to see, in person, what works with your coloring and wardrobe?

Debbie

I love them all. I can see you carrying all of them.
My favorites are the first Kate Spade and the Cole Haan bag. The Cole Hann is just a little more unique to me.
I hope the handle drops work for you!

HeleenH

I like the first one best. It don't think anyone has mentioned this yet: it has a fun lining: white with big black dots.

April

Michelle, here is one with a 10" drop in "Deep Red". http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jp.....ltback=915 It is on sale (yay!) and looks soft and nice. It has gold hardware, but it's not blingy -- the gold is only where the strap attaches to the bag. No dangling medallions for visible branding.

Let me know if you need a more detailed description.

Queen Mum

you have fabulous taste in bags. I really like #1 if the drop is long enough.

I also love the one April posted, though it's worth mentioning that it's a "bucket style." Nice and roomy but also sometimes can have that black hole effect on whatever you put inside. If you're someone that likes bags with lots of compartments for organizational purposes, then I would probably avoid a bucket bag. I personally love the shape of it!

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