I'd say no more than $200 but I'd prefer to pay less. I really only use cross body bags for work/every day because I can slip them into my work tote. I've used a grey Tumi for the last few years (NAS) purchase. I like it but it's a little small and doesn't fit my glasses if I have my phone and small wallet in it. Bags are a low priority for me but I enjoy seeing how others wear and choose them.

Carol, sounds like you are in good company!

LJP, I echo Suz on a belated CONGRATS! Bagallini is popular with some of my clientele, for age same reasons.

Personally, I'm a BAG PERSON! I LOVE HANDBAGS!!! I swap them out many times a week. It gives me GREAT JOY. I have about 25, and more or less stick to that number. I cannot store more at this point.

My bags are what you see first when I am out and about - which is always because I lead an urban walking life. I am never without a bag. It's the next most important practical item in my life after shoes. They must be dressy, and convert to crossbody. Most of my bags are Furla.

I typically spend between $450 to $550 on a handbag. Sometimes more, and sometimes less if I am lucky on a sale. I am open to spending four digits on a bag.

It’s funny how things have changed . I’m so uninterested in bags now and am happy to use one of my functional crossbody bags , or my coat pocket lol, most days . I find using an actual purse to be annoying - and just one more thing to deal with . I have a nice collection of bags of all types and qualities and have zero need for anything new . It doesn’t mean I don’t love and appreciate bags anymore , but it’s one wardrobe category that I never think about now .

My most recent bag was about $350 Canadian, and that was a Black Friday sale a few years ago. I have some older Coach, from when they were all leather and made in the US, and two dressier leather clutches which hardly ever go out now. I’ve aiways liked nice leather bags, preferably leather-lined, too.

Mia--it is amazing what great quality you can get secondhand.

Annabelle--it's amazing how long that piece will last. Quite a unique find.

Irina--is Bao Bao Issey Miyake? You know I went into that store with friends when I was a poor college student living in NYC--went in a couple times. They let us touch and examine everything, knowing full well we wouldn't buy anything. I'll always remember that. The Bao Bao tote is beautiful, as well.

Vildy--it is certainly less nerve-wracking to carry around a less prestigious bag than Chanel.

Cat2--those brands you mentioned all look great for the price point.

Kate--that sounds about like me, too.

Suntiger--You know, my Baggalini does have gold hardware, and I would say it has a more classic shape appropriate for daily use. (And yes, those influencers probably do return those purchases.)

Rachylou--I marvel at how they make something that gets so much wear and tear last that long.

Em--Hermes bag? Ooh, picture, please.

Sal--Does tracking wears take time? I am curious about this.

I’m cheap I guess? All of my most beautiful and beloved purses were thrifted and very special, unique vintage—purchased from Goodwill for $1.25 back in the day. The golden days of thrifting for such gems are gone now, as lamented by many other ladies into vintage who thrifted a lot. So I suppose my purses are now priceless in a way. I love very special, unique, and handcrafted items generally. Designer labels don’t always say that to me.

If I did spend money, it would maybe be $200 for harness or saddle style leather, so it wore well. (Mom life! I need it to stand up!) But I really don’t care about designer labels and logos. I want something that feels unique and special to me. I live near Denver and every woman and her dog owns a designer label purse. Or it’s very utilitarian and a backpack from a sports/outdoors label. It’s basically all about status symbol. Drives me up a wall. 8-10 years ago, I used to buy purses from Target that were stylish and then donate when I tired of them. (So I didn’t wear out my special vintage purses.) I know today that is probably very taboo to do. fast fashion and all. But when you’re young and poor, it works.

My current carry is a larger Kate Spade quilted leather handbag. My best friend’s husband gifted me several of her purses after she suddenly passed away, as a way to remember her. I’m careful with it because the leather is soft and thin, and I have a feeling it could scuff and damage easily. I switch it out every couple of months to keep it fresh.

I do like a good handbag and have a small collection!!! I am very fond of handbags, part of it is a reminder of my childhood when playing with my mum and grandma's handbags, both of them had great pieces. My mum still has a few from my grandma and I hinted that I wouldn't mind looking after one of them when the time is right.

Personally, I find certain prices extraordinary as they not always reflect the quality. I am OK with the limit that I set myself (my max is £500) as I prefer focusing on the quality rather that the brand and look after them by cleaning/conditioning the leather as well as rotate them seasonally.

My eldest handbag is 12/15 years old and still going strong. The majority of my handbags are from the same brand as I like their ethos, the structured shaped and the fact that they are produced in Europe by skilled artisans.

I’ve spent up to $350 on a bag, but that was maybe 10 years ago? I’ve kind of stopped looking, after finding a perfect-for-me bag at thrift for $35. I’m fussy now, and look for certain characteristics. I generally want a flap-over without zippers (which scratch my hands), a wide strap (skimpy ones cut into my shoulder), and light weight. I don’t think I would spend $$$ on a bag nowadays, but I did recently splurge on a nicer than average suitcase

I've paid four figures for a bag a few times --

A Burberry at the flagship store in London
A Chanel at a consignment store in Manhattan for a milestone birthday
A Gucci in Florence
A Louis Vuitton in Paris

Each time, it was as much entertainment/vacation splurge as it was a fashion purchase, although I will say all those bags are still in regular rotation (and after this season of Succession I'm very glad my Burberry isn't all-over signature plaid LOL). And I feel like each time was a very special circumstance that I don't really see being repeated any time soon.

I have a pretty big bag collection and most of them were in the low three figures. Since the pandemic I'm not into buying new bags as much, although I still enjoy using the ones I have.

I've never owned a designer bag - not because I'm against it, but because practicality & quality come first for me, then unobstrusive logos & a round shape. I only consider a bag if it ticks ALL my boxes, no matter the price, but I think the most I've ever spent on one is £100-£150.

In the past, I've spent anywhere from:
~ £7 on the Uniqlo half moon bag (guess it wasn't selling as well over here so I bought it discounted for hiking - before it went viral!)
~ £10 on my teal oval belt bag (a surprising workhorse, since there's no way it's real leather but it hasn't flaked or peeled with almost daily use over 3 years - bought on a whim because of its handsfree convertibility)
~ £80 on my Steve Madden Bbrenda sequin purse (I expect to keep this one for life - convertible from a circle clutch to crossbody with a double zipper for security!)
~ £100 on my chocolate leather backpack (bought from the men's section because I needed something with a padded laptop sleeve but also wanted a curved top).
~ I also have a circle backpack for city excursions, a straw circle crossbody for the beach & a travel backpack, but I don't like having to switch things out regularly lol.

TL;DR: I'd be open to a designer bag if it was curved, sturdy yet lightweight, practical to carry, big enough & in my autumnal colours. That's not a huge ask, is it?

I think $100 is my max. I usually wait til I find something fabulous at half price. I do have two Furlas that I bought that way. I also like Kate Spade and have snagged a few for a bargain at places like Marshalls or TJMax.

So...the consensus is:
most of us spend/would spend only 3 figures for a bag.
A few of us have spent 4 figures, but these bags tend to last decades (I marvel at how these bags last that long.)
Many of us buy things on sale/secondhand that can take quite a beating, and many of us prefer almost sporty, practical bags, like crossbodies, fanny packs and backpacks.

I think what I liked most about this post is learning there are many great brands that are in the cozy medium between designer brands and Target--that have high quality and durability, but don't cost the price of a celebrity engagement ring.

I like to shop sustainable brands and there actually aren't that many fancy bag brands out there who produce certified bags. I've been looking for a new leather handbag for a while now and haven't seen anything I liked. In everyday life I just use messenger bags or backpacks. I would be prepared to pay up to 300€ I think, but only if the bag was exactly what I was looking for. My everyday bags that I own right now were all under 100€... Good quality and construction, but no fancy name brand.

I have gotten away from my desire for designer bags. Lately I have been wearing Madewell and LuLu Lemon cross bodies. I have a simple black Poleme bag and a black Claire V bag that I use in dressier situations. I am in the market for another Claire Vivier though. Love her bags/ well made and many under $500. There is also a French crossbody l am hot for -Rivedroite Custine waist bag. It's only $70.

I'm not much of a bag person, mostly due to lifestyle I think; Not living in a city I keep things that might otherwise be in my purse in my car, and with apple pay and a mobile phone app that opens my car, I generally go into stores and friend's houses without a bag at all.

I have three small crossbodies which I mostly use for vacation travel, and then a couple of tote bags; one ancient brown suede that is looking a bit ratty, and one nice Cuyana zip tote. Have a few Longchamp totes, from when I used to be able to get them at the Dublin airport for €70. I have a few clutches too, which I use for going out to dinner/events.

I use a nylon fanny pack crossbody most of all and that was probably under $30. My crossbodies & totes are all under $200 each.

I covet Bao Bao bags, but can't justify the cost, at least until I have some perfect occasion for it.

I love bags but I have never spent over $500. I laughing told a friend that I am going to give myself a luxury bag as soon as my grandson graduates from college.

On another note. A friend gave me a Bagallini for traveling. I am going to use for the first time next week. I will bring another bag too.

I’ve spent four figures on 3-4 bags, when I was working and could afford it. Two Mulberry bags (one to celebrate a major professional milestone), The Row, another by a designer that isn’t in business anymore and the name flew out of my brain.

Chuckling to myself that those of us who like wearing bags without flashy logos have been doing 'quiet luxury' long before it became a trend lol...

Also marvelling at all the folk who have had people gift them bags that they still use - that's quite a feat!

Interesting, and of course we all have different priorities, budgets, and tastes! I appreciate the respectful nature of this forum that there is no judgment of anyone who pays anything from single to four digits for a bag!

It’s a funny thing about “quiet luxury” and logos, etc. I am not a fan of logos but my designer bags (namely Stella McCartney and Issey Miyake) are recognizable enough without logos that there are multiple knockoffs of each. I buy for *design* not logos. If I love a design, the quality is commensurate, and it suits my needs, I will buy the bag!