K/R: Michael Kors black studded satchel ("entry-level UWP" bag)

Hi, I've been busy during the holidays and away from the forum for a couple weeks now but will try to catch up soon. Quick K/R on this black handbag. I've been looking for a black bag with a touch of UWP/RATE (or "entry-level UWP" as someone dubbed it) for a while now but nothing panned out:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....wprate-bag

The first bag I ordered online I got a cancellation notice from DSW. I also bought a black studded clutch but the strap broke on the first wear so I returned it. Then I ordered another from ASOS but it was too big and had a weird flap at the top that had no latch or magentic closure to keep it shut. So that got returned too. My current black bags are a Ralph Lauren "doctor satchel" from TJ Maxx and a The Sak fabric purse that I've been using a lot but it has a torn lining and is a little bit small for the amount of stuff I carry.

So recently I was at DSW and found a purse as a Christmas gift for our nanny (a $378 black leather Cole Haan purse that was marked down 70% to $65--score!!!). But I also found this black studded Michael Kors handbag for myself...what do you think? The tag says "Astor" style and the original price was $368, marked down to $219 (that was the regular DSW price). It's a little more than I was planning to pay (I was hoping to keep it $200 or less) but I used my Christmas money. It's large enough to hold all my stuff. I also like the "doctor's bag" satchel style. It's very similar to my RL bag but I like having the option of a shoulder strap, and it has a touch of UWP with the silver studs to make it slightly edgier to go with my P-heavy UWP looks, but still ladylike enough to go with my primary style. I think I would get a lot of use out of it, based on how much I've been using my Sak bag lately. What do you think--keep or return?

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13 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

I agree that is similar to your RL bag, but I really love the stud detail!
Still your style but a bit more casual. The shoulder strap sets it apart too.
I would keep unless you feel that you would just grab your old one because they are both black and similar in size etc.

Deborah

Natalie take this with a grain of salt, but I'm just not quite seeing how this works with your style. It's a very cool looking bag but I'm wondering how it works with your more ladylike style. Is UWP a vibe you are planning on moving more towards? ...ok had another look at photos and a further think and I guess I can see it working if carried by the handles and not the shoulder strap (is it removeable?) I am still not 100% sure though.

RoseandJoan

If I remember correctly Angie (black and white) and April (grey) have this bag in different colours.

I don't know if the bag is UWP or RATE but it does have a certain edge yet the structure and polish to work with your style.

ETA -perhaps after the bag starts to show signs of wear it will inherit the UWP vibe.

Atlantia

I think the structure and shape of the bag combined with the studs make it a good match for you.

bj1111

not you. weird shape for the trim.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What is weird about the trim to your eye, bj1111?

I have this bag in two colours: black & cream and green. I have had the green for about 8 years, and the black & cream for 6 years. And I paid full price.

I do not consider myself UWP at all, but I love my bags! And I *still* love them after all these years. I am never passing them on.

My thumbs are up, Natalie. I think you sport the look well.

rae

I like it for you! The shape is still ladylike, but the studs and coloring add that bit of edge.

MsMary

I love it! I vote KEEP!

Anonymous

Gorgeous! Keep it!

Amy

I like it for you.

Thistle

Gorgeous and will fit your style well. I vote keep!

deb

It is different enough from your other black bags that I vote keep.

kkards

another vote for keep! great shape, and handles and shoulder strap, so you have options.

Transcona Shannon

I like how it's rugged slightly UWP look will juxtapose your ladylike style - I'm totally into juxtaposition these days! I say keep. Plus Angie's comments on how long she's had hers speaks to the quality.

goldenpig

Thanks everyone for the feedback. After seeing everyone's comments yesterday, I just had to rip the tags off and wear it right away (with the outfit above)! I can already tell it's going to be a workhorse for me. For some reason I haven't used the RL bag very much, I think because I like having the option of a shoulder strap when I'm out and about with MOTG and work. This was a nicer/more expensive purse than I was originally looking for (I was thinking big slouchy RATE bag) but I think the semi-structured and more polished appearance will actually work well for me, since I'm not truly RATE (the torn liner in my other bag is really starting to bug me because things keep falling out of the liner and getting lost). Deborah, I'm not planning to change my primary style, I just like to dip my toes in the UWP pool once in a while (my shadow style persona), so the studs are just enough of a UWP reference for me without going for a truly distressed/torn bag.

Julie, I'm impressed that you can remember who owns this bag and what colors they have! And I'm really happy that Angie can vouch for the quality and style herself--the black and white version sounds so cool! Angie, do you have links to your WIW's with this bag? I don't know how to search your outfit archives and I think you don't typically mention the brand in your WIW posts.

Yay, I'm so glad you like it! This is now one of the nicest "investment" handbags in my collection and I think it will be versatile enough to be one of my most used as well!

Jjsloane

I vote keep - refined enough for your style with just a little edge in the studs.

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