Talk to me about handbag quality?

Hi- I am wondering what is reasonable to expect for handbag quality and longevity? Assuming quality increases with price (meaning you get what you pay for ..), how long would you expect a leather handbag in the $200-300 price range to last with daily use? I purchased a Perlina handbag in this price range during last year's NAS, and 1 yr later, the inside liner in 1 pocket has ripped, and some of the outside decorative seams are coming undone. I was surprised at this, but this is my first real hand bag, so I don't know what to expect. I would love to hear from you handbag addicts and/or gurus on YLF:
*Is 1 yr typical for handbags in this price range?
*Do you have any recommendations on a brand/price range for a "timeless" classic handbag that will last for years?

I know many of you see your handbag as an accessory to swap out and you all look great doing so, but I am not into changing my handbag daily. I really want something basic, classic that just looks great and lasts forever, and I am willing to pay for it. Thanks!!!!

14 years ago

StacyJo

(website)

Active Member

A topic close to my heart! I'm thinking that if only you've had this purse for one year and the lining is not holding up, something is amiss. I'd look into taking it back to Nordie's and have them repair or replace it. They are pretty good about that. A bag at that price point, IMO, should hold up longer. Nordie's does have a great collection of classic bags...Let me see what I find and I'll send you the links shortly.

modgrl

Veteran

If you are using it every day, it sounds like you are getting your money's worth. I am tough on handbags, and everything else really, and they do tend to show some wear after a time. If the outside seems are coming apart on a leather bag, you can take them to a shoemaker to be repaired. Maybe Nordie's will repair it for you?

As promised:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/el.....ltback=100

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/co.....tback=2505

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/li.....tback=5545

There are so many, so hopefully this will get you started in finding that perfect day bag!

Barbara

Rose, I certainly would not expect a Perlina bag to fall apart! A good cobbler can easily repair it for you.

StacyJo does have some great picks!

I LOVE Tignanello leather bags and own several. They are priced under $200, in fact, most of mine I found at Macys and T J Maxx for under $100 each. The construction and high quality leather is unbeatable. Each bag has gorgeous hardware and impeccable attention to detail. Here's their website link: http://www.tignanello.com/

Anonymous

I'm reading the replies with interest. I've got a couple of Tiganello bags that I paid under $100 for on sale. One especially in a semi-metallic pewter leather has seen heavy, nearly daily use for at least a year and a half. It is still going strong with a bit of wear where one strap attaches to a ring due to the times I've stuffed something heavy in it. If I'd been more careful it would still look like new.

Scarlet

I keep my handbags for YEARS. I would be pretty upset about anything falling apart within one year.

Sylvie

I don't have any recommendations for you but I wanted to empathize. I too am a one-at-a-time handbag user.

I bought a Fossil crossbody off 6pm in December and the handle stitching gave way yesterday. Fossil has a 1 year warranty but you have to ship the bag back and I'm not sure if 6pm counts as an authorized retailer.

In my ideal world, I should get a year of use for every $100 spent on a handbag, but maybe that's ambitious.

In your shoes, I would definitely take the bag back to Nordstrom's and see what they can do. After all, that is the advantage of buying from them.

I'll be watching this thread closely to see what you decide on for your next bag.

Good luck!

RoseandJoan

Yes please try to speak with customer services about your quality issues.

The best quality handbags I own at that price range are Hidesign which is part ot the Radley Group, Farhi and Cuero handbags.

I would cry if anything happened to these bags.

Michelle

I agree with StacyJo -- there are some genuine issues at work if your $200+ handbag is falling apart after a year. Trust me, that's not the norm for a truly top-notch piece! I bought my first ever investment bag last winter and used it all season long. I'm not easy in my bags in general, but my Kooba bag is in fantastic condition and will likely stay that way for some time. Don't resign yourself to a life of expensive but short-lived bag purchases -- your quest is totally feasible!

A Lady From TX

Member

I am generally pretty tough on purses and only rarely change them out when the mood strikes me. That said, I am pretty in love with Coach's leather handbags. The leather is treated the same way a baseball mitt is and only gets better with age. The hardware and seaming is also fantastic. I purchased my "everyday" black bag over 3 years ago, and with a little leather conditioner every few months it still looks like new.

I am not a big fan of the Coach cloth bags, but for quality, durable good looks, their leather is hands down my favorite.

Freckles

Years ago I bought high quality but more expensive bags and I thought I was tough on them then.

Now there is no way I'd go near one with a ten foot pole.

I spend about forty nights a winter season in a hockey arena stuffing my bag under my seat on a concrete floor, many other nights are spent in another hockey arena with bench seating and bag thrown on again a concrete floor, more nights...

Well, you get the idea.

Being tough on a handbag is all in relation to how you yourself use it. IF you feel that it has no lived up to the quality your expected for the life you give it by all means try to return or get said bag repaired by merchant.

Rose

You all are wonderful!! These responses are super helpful!! thank you so much!
StacyJo- I <3 your suggestions!! I LOVE the Cole Haan and the Liebeskind leather bags- those look like exactly what I am after and excellent NAS price for the Liebeskind bag... I will at least take my Perlina bag in to Nordies and see what they say, they have been awesome before with me when I have had quality issues in shoes, etc which is one reason why I am loyal to Nordstroms... thanks again, this is really helpful to know what you all experience/expect.

biscuitsmom

I *highly* recommend Brahmin bags....they are usually in the $200 range, but come with a 2 yr guarantee and I have 2 that get really heavy (near daily) use that are 3 yrs old and still look like new- inside and out and I know of others who say they last for yrs and yrs..... SO glad to hear you are taking the bag to Nordies! Good luck!

Glad to see that they are helpful...I love living vicariously for the NAS! Definitely take the Perlina bag back and I'm sure they will make sure that all is done to satisfaction.

rachylou

I'd say there's a gap between what you do get and what you should get.

Wear can show on the handles and edges pretty quickly with daily use (esp. if abusive like me). Keys have a way of ripping linings. Pieces should not slough off, though. I have a $30 Target satchel that is still going strong after a year with daily use (I've had it longer, but started using it regularly last year). A $200-300 bag should beat that.

There's a book out about the death of luxury. The big bucks no longer mean quality.

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