Handbags...again but on a budget this time

[Maya Moonstone]

Hi

I have just read two handbag threads on PS and I am convinced that I should get a new handbag for the winter. I have a Coach bag at the moment, but it is a khaki canvas and light blue.

I really want a new handbag, but have to stick to a budget of less than $500. Anybody have good ideas? or Links?

What I would like is a shoulder bag, medium size and not too many small pockets. Something like the Burberry Heath bag. I like neutral colors - red, dark brown or black.

Anybody used www.designergoodsonline.com or www.thestylemarket.com before?

Thanks
Maya

 

[AGBF]

The idea of spending $500 on a handbag makes me feel faint! Don''t get me wrong; I can spend money as quickly as anyone on this board...but I prefer to put my money into things that will not depreciate. If I spend $500.00, I want gold. If I spend $100,000 I want home improvements. A pocketbook will depreciate. So will a car (except perhaps a classic?). I would still put $100,000 into home improvements before I bought a classic car with it!!!

Yikes!

Deb

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''m half asleep so forgive me if I''m missing something here, but that first site, designersgoodsonline has brand new arrivals at huge discounts. Wouldn''t this be a site selling knockoffs?

If you want to spend $500 hunt around for something you like but not from a unreputable site - shop from the neiman marcus site, nordstrom, or where ever you like to shop. There''s no way to guarantee any random site is selling authentic bags, so it''s best to stick with a company you''ve heard of when spending any decent amount of money.

 

[MelissaSue]

oyvey.. I never spend more than $15 on a purse! I change them so frequently.. So.. when I see "on a budget" I think.. "I just got two purses at the mall the other day for $4 each.."

I suppose you couldn''t go buy a knock off of that burberry bag for say $60 at a purse party or something?

 

[marvel]

Check out e-bay. You can get some really good ideas on bags that you like. Can''t go wrong with Louie Vuitton!!

I''m a handbag junkie...my daughter has to drag my away from the purses whenever we are at the mall.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Maya - did you know that there's a coach outlet store up in at the Burlington Outlet mall? May be worth checking out.

http://www.outletbound.com/cgi-bin/enh_center.cgi?state_cd=WA&geocity=4S4VR2F6

ETA: There's this one too, in Tulalip, with Coach and others stores like Banana Republic.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=71

 

[Maya Moonstone]

I can't describe myself as a handbag junkie, but I do like good quality and don't mind paying for it either.

I drooled over a Marc Jacobs and a Gucci handbag, but at more than $1000 each, it is just too much! (I see it as 20% of those diamond studs I desire!)

I buy maybe one good handbag a year, and although I am rough on my bags - I use the same one for months and it goes everywhere with me, I clean it regularly if I see scuff marks etc, and they are stuffed with rissue paper and in their cotton bags when I don't use them.

This will be my xmas gift from hubby. I recently got a new cellphone, had a dent removed from my car after an encounter with a yellow pole (but that is another story - howeverbeware of those poles that jump at you!

) and got a new wedding set with the diamond I wanted. So, instead of asking for more jewelry, that will be a lot more than $500, I would like a handbag. And if I can get what I want for even less than $500, say for $250, then maybe I can have something else as well.

I am cautious of e-bay. I do not want a knock-off. MC, what makes you think they sell knockoffs? Thanks for the hint, I will visit the outlet store in Tulalip.

I would love a LV, but they are really pricey!

Maya

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I am cautious of e-bay. I do not want a knock-off. MC, what makes you think they sell knockoffs?

I haven't any concrete evidence, but these types of sites make me suspicious because there are tons of knockoffs floating all over the place and any site could easily be one of these merchants. How would you know without purchasing? Designergoods has a terrible return policy. . ."To ensure our competitive prices, DesignerGoods Online is dedicated to a strict return policy. We apologize, but we charge a 20% fee on returnable merchandise total(please refer to our following Returnable & Non-returnable Merchandise chart below for complete category information).", so you'd be charged for finding out!

Maybe you can find another site where you can return for a full refund if the handbag ends up being fake.

Let me know what you think of the Tulalip Outlet. I may head up there

 

[cutes814]

Maya,

I have used designergoodsonline many times before. My friend recommended the site to me after she made her first purchase and had the merchandise verified that it was authentic. I''ve been using them since 2 years ago. I''ve purchased a Prada messenger, Prada waist bag, Prada keychain holder, Versace wallet, Prada wallet, Dior wallet, and Dior saddle bag from them.

The only reason their merchandise is discounted is because the styles are out of season. I personally don''t mind out of season merchandise at all! Brands such as Prada, Gucci, Dior, and Burberry never go out of season to me.

Beware of sites that sell Louis Vuitton for discounted prices. LV does not allow outlets to sell their merchandise. LV always has the same styles for purchase. I guess the other brands allow it since they are always coming out with different styles ever season. The older versions have to sell somewhere.

 

[pearcrazy]

Maya, sometimes there are some cute Dooney and Bourkes to be had on QVC. Also, I found an adorable bag at the Cole Hahn outlet. The website has some yummy bags too. My sister is a handbag fanatic and she''s found some great designer bags at TJ Maxx.

 

[AndyRosse]

I would get the LV Speedy bag for a little over $500

 

[moremoremore]

deleted

 

[youngster]

Hi Maya (and this is for you too MC), I''ve been to both the Tulalip outlet mall and the Burlington outlet mall. The Burlington mall is substantially smaller and, from the exterior, much less upscale than the Tulalip mall. It''s really like a larger version of a strip mall. Tulalip is shiny, new and huge. You could spend all day at Tulalip (and, come to think of it, I did one recent Saturday!). That being said, the Coach outlet store was superior at Burlington. They had lots of stuff at both outlets but the Burlington store had much better prices. (However, I think I wandered in there during a super mark-down sale.) The bags at the Tulalip outlet store were marked down but the stuff from the current season was only marked down by maybe 10%. They did have some stuff that was 30% off and some from summer that was close to 50% off. I''d call both stores to see what they have and what has been marked down before going up there. By the way, the Tulalip mall does have a Burberry store as well.

 

[Mara]

haha, I second the LV bag for $500. That''s so me.

Otherwise I''d get a Prada or Gucci that is last season or similar on one of the discount sites aka Overstock sells Prada and I think SmartBargains sells Gucci or Coach?

As someone else noted, LV does not have sales on the bags like Prada and the other brands that come out with new season styles all the time. So I think there are alot more LV fakes out there than anything else.

 

[Kaleigh]

Maya,
I love handbags myself. MMM has given you a great source. I would purchase from her source in a heart beat. The other sites, I''m not sure about and wouldn''t want to risk my money on a fake. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[AGBF]

Do you say, "purse", "pocketbook", "handbag" or any of the three interchangeably? I think usage is regional!

Deb

 

[AndyRosse]

Date: 10/24/2005 9:12:10 PM
Author: AGBF
Do you say, ''purse'', ''pocketbook'', ''handbag'' or any of the three interchangeably? I think usage is regional!

Deb

Pocketbook is something my mother says. I catch myself saying it, but to me, it seems oldfashioned. I say purse and handbag usually, with handbag or just "bag" being used more often I guess.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 10/24/2005 9:47:13 PM
Author: Rascal49
Pocketbook is something my mother says.

When my daughter was little she called it a, "pockabush". Toddlers are darling. But they grow up .

Deb

 

[Maya Moonstone]

Hi

Thanks everybody for the advise and links.

I had a look at the Louis Vuitton Speedy. It is just not me, I like long shoulder straps and - dare I say it? - th LV bags just aren't my cup of tea

MMM - the Birkin is beautilicious! It is so sad that I have champagne taste and a beer budget.

I told my husband last night that I want a Burberry. He doesn't like the idea - in his mind it is showing off because it is a recognized name brand. But then again he thinks $100 is a LOT for a handbag

He spoils me rotten but I think he will definitely draw the line at a handbag that is more than $500, especially considering all the goodies I got this year - did I mention I got a ruby and diamond ring for my birthday and new wedding set for our 5th anniversary? Yeah, yeah, I know only a HUNDRED times

My handbags are chosen for the same reasons I buy shoes - always black or brown leather shoes, that are comfortable, but still fashionable and will last for years. That is why I really like the Burberry and the versatility of it - it goes well in summer, winter with all colors, black and brown.

It seems as if I have to search a little bit more. I really like this one as well: The Hampton Hobo from Coach in black suede

Maya

 

[MissAva]

I love Coach! My mother has bags from there that are older then I am and to be honest if you get a classic style and avoid massive hardwear or the print stuff I think they will always be in style. JMO.

 

[dani13]

Hi Maya!

Handbags are my OBSESSION (besides DIAMONDS, of course)

. Anyway, I just bought a really adorable big, slouchy chocolate suede bag from a specialty store here in NJ. You can check out his website- on it they have a list of stores that carry their bags. The website is www.christopherkon.com. It is a high quality bag and I have only had it a week and I have already gotten so many compliments on it! It was about $430, but there are cheaper bags there (e.g. not so big).