Purse--go for it or no? - YouLookFab Forum

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Purse--go for it or no?

BethT

I love this purse from Talbots, but have never come close to spending that much money on a purse before! I can easily afford it, but is it worth it? I don't switch purses often, so it'll be carried nearly everyday for a few months until the seasons change. Are more expensive purses made to be carried only a few times? Will I ruin the poor thing and cry?

I kinda love my crappy purses that I can throw on the ground at the movie theater and wipe clean later on. I know if I go out I can drag out a cheapy purse, but then what's the sense in buying a cool purse that I love if I have to keep it wrapped in plastic in my closet? I haven't seen a cheapy version of this purse anywhere, but should I just stick with a $40 Liz purse from JCPenney anyway so I don't worry about ruining it?

I realize it's not a $2,000 purse, but anything over $50 is going to be sticker shock for me for a while. Baby steps.

Kelsey Tassel Doctor Bag

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21 replies

Latest reply was from

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

A high-quality leather purse is going to hold up better to use, not worse. Good leather ages nicely, becoming more supple and broken-in with time. I've been carrying my Fossil bag just about every single day for a year, and I'm still really happy with it.

P.S. Angie has a great trick for cleaning suede with a Magic Eraser.

Jules

Veteran

Agree with above. I'm pretty hard on stuff, actually, but I wouldn't be too worried about this purse - I'd just buy and wear it to worn-in perfection. Even the suede is a colour that will hide dirt well.
That reminds me, I have to see about getting the zipper repaired on my beloved 4 year old dark teal messenger bag for fall.

Shelly

Whilst I don't have super expensive bags i do have some nice leather bags that I am happy to use when the mood strikes. I must say that I always feel more put together with a nice bag.

Anonymous

It's a very nice purse. Does it go with your wardrobe? If so, go for it, and use it.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I understand your concerns, Beth. I had very similar reservations earlier this year when I wanted to splurge on a bag I had been eyeing. I did buy it, and I'll tell you why...

I love bags. I usually go for stylish but not very expensive ones. If they aren't pure leather, they don't last over a year of hard use, and I don't mind it AT ALL. Like you, I'm a real tough user. I like to plonk my bag at my feet in the car, at movies, sometimes even busy restaurants. When I'm shopping at a mall, I will simply throw my bag on the floor and dive into beautiful things----ooh-ing and aah-ing over pretty stuff....bag forgotten Then I will throw the bag on the floor again in the changing room!

I care for my bags well. When they are back at home, they get wiped clean, and go inside soft cloth storage bags and are stuffed to maintain their shape etc. And they do just fine!

In fact, the more expensive leather bags don't show ANY signs of distress. I have 4....they just go on and on....looking just as great despite the abuse One of them is going on its 7th year....I'm terribly sick of it because I have used it EVERYDAY for a couple of years and use it very often even now...but it still looks just the same.

So don't worry about 'ruining' a bag....just go for it. This one will wear very well. It's a beautiful bag

Here is the beauty I bought!

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Staysfit

Veteran

I have to agree with Maneera, I think my expensive bags last a long time. I have some Coach bags that are 27 years old. It felt like I was spending a fortune then to purchase them, but they still look nice, I feel like I really got good value from them, and now I am giving them both to my DD who asked for them because she likes their look.

Shelly

Oh, sorry I forgot to say:

Get the purse!!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

They have a 25% off sale right now so that brings it down a fair bit. I think it is a very nice shape and neutral color so would be versatile. If you have seen it in person and tried it on and still love it, then you should buy it.

Joy

Veteran

The only problem that I sometimes find with nice leather bags is that they can be heavy even with nothing in them. Just something to consider. I avoid using my most expensive bag because of this. I agree that they will stay looking great much longer and can usually be repaired or polished if they do show wear.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like the design but if you're concerned about the price, I wouldn't get suede. In my experience suede does not hold up like leather, either on shoes or bags. I would look for a style like this in 100% leather or a coated canvas with leather trim. Both leather and coated canvas clean up better than suede, especially in a lighter color like camel.

unfrumped

Veteran

It's a beautiful bag and I only have suede concerns , like CocoLion.
As a more general response, I'm not a big handbag person myself and have mostly bought mid- range leather bags at TJMaxx. But I do know that my bag strategy is mostly seasonal use of a different neutral main handbag that goes with most everything- lighter in summed, darker in winter-- and some others fot a change with special outfits.
So if I were to fall for a cool but pricey bag, I'd consider if if I thought I'd use it most every day for a season ( and next year's season ).

Ankita

(website)

GET THE BAG! ❤
Agreeing with everyone who's said leather holds up better.
Now I understand where you're coming from and about taking baby steps... so if you really really like this bag,I say go for it!
My MOST used and abused bags are all leather or suede leather and I've had them for more years than I remember... trust me they show NO signs of tearing apart like majority of my cheaper bags.
Leather will soften with use but it will rarely ever come apart.
There are ways to keep suede leather in tip top condition, so don't let that scare you away. I always get one of those special brushes for cleaning suede shoes from the local shoe store and give my suede bags a good clean every now & then. Just store it in a dustbag and you're sorted...no need to even keep it with stuffing to hold its shape...trust me nothing will happen to it!
P.S.- Keep it out of the rain that's all! Haha!

Brooklyn

Veteran

I love it but I echo the concerns of others about it being suede, especially pale suede. I bought a fossil suede bag in a camel colour that became so dirty so fast it lasted me less than a year. And I did try the eraser trick. I think it helps here that the corners (one of the chief wear areas) are not suede. But I would weigh that up before buying.

Anonymous

I'm in camp suede concerns, too. It will start to show wear in that colour, and if that will upset you, I think your first foray into pricier bags should be polished leather, not light suede. I bought the Dooney&Bourke red suede & leather bag at last year's NAS and it's been a fail for me. Plus, as Joy said, the thing weighs a ton. Yet my 20 year old Bottega (that I could never afford to repurchase today) and my 6 year old Tods -- both polished leather--have held up like a dream.

Cerinda

Veteran

If you don't buy it, how much will you spend on "crappy purses"? Is it a wash?

Leighways

(website)

Which one are you actually going to use - this one, or dozens of cheap knock offs?

My bags are all gifts, second-hand or borrowed. I tend to try save my money for things like shoes, but the few purses I do own a great quality, last forever, and are always being used. The ones I don't are simply sold on or swapped to cover the cost of getting something else. Proper leather bags last a lifetime and are well worth extra money, my last one is still perfectly intact after almost 5 years of use.

Suede is just for going out I feel, because as everyone above me has noted, wear will show - but if you have a lot of dinners to attend, nights out with girls, etc, this is the bag for it, those being places where you're less likely to put the bag on the floor, get it dirty etc. It's semi-formal but big enough for anything you could possibly need, including a light jacket.

To me, it looks like a great starter bag, it's clean, simple, pretty easily styled - these days, natural tones and texturing goes with everything. I think my major concern will be that it might date a bit so maybe in the long term it's not the best shape - tassled things tend to go in cycles of popularity.

BethT

As expected, lots of great advice from everyone! Thanks!

At the moment, I'm leaning toward getting it. I have to order it, so at least I can carry it around at home and really get a good feel for it. I always feel goofy "trying on" a purse at the store.

I also have suede concerns as I've had good and bad luck with suede before, so I'll have to really give that some thought.

Again, thanks!

viva

Veteran

I share the suede concerns, although as Jenn has said, you can go with Angie's Magic Eraser trick for stains. (And maybe you can spray it to protect it first? Like shoes? I've never done that, but I don't see why you couldn't. Maybe that's a good question for the forum.)

On the other hand, you LOVE this bag, and it's 25% off. To me, that makes it likely a really good purchase, and a great entry point into nicer bags. It's not outlandishly priced, and to me, it's a design that is perfect for every day. If you do get it, don't save it for special occasions! Use it as an everyday bag.

If I remember correctly Beth, your goals are about things like making better choices, making some upgrades (like your hair), and feeling more in control of the choices you make (no guilt about returns). To me, this kind of adds up to treating yourself better and reflecting a sense of personal worth or value in your fashion choices. (Forgive me if I am way off here.) For all of these reasons, I would encourage you to try the bag, and if you love it, keep it, use it, and enjoy it.

Colette

Veteran

Some very good advice here. I can only add that if you truly LOVE IT and have the budget available, you should try it. I would spray it right away, but just use it and enjoy it.

tricia w.

(website)

I love the bag, it has great style, but...I've had suede bags, and usually after a season of everyday use, the suede gets dirty, and shiny in the areas of wear. A nubuk block can help spot clean the suede; it does so by removing the top layer of the leather.

Anonymous

If you're hard on bags, I'd stay away from suede, especially if the bag will be used frequently. (Speaking from experience.) But it's hard to beat a high-quality beautiful leather bag to elevate an everyday outfit.