First "nice" handbag questions

By HappyBaker May 8, 2017

I've never had a "nice" handbag - and am thinking of buying one because I need a new bag anyway - are designer handbags really worth it the price? Do they last longer?

I normally just buy bags from Target or Marshall's, but I use the same one until it falls apart. Do you actually have to take care of them in some way I don't know about?

I'm looking at a Dooney & Bourke Small Lexington Shopper if that helps, I need to go to a store and check it out though!

Probably stupid questions and I feel like I should know these answers by now as a woman in my 30s! :-)

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20 comments

SweetiePie
honeydew / 7463 posts

May 8, 2017

Check out Dagne Dover if it's a tote you'll be using for work!
kayla0416
apricot / 275 posts

May 8, 2017

I had always gotten cheap Target/department store purses too until last summer I decided to splurge and got a Kate Spade bag as a graduation gift to myself. I've been using it almost a year now and it still looks brand new, and so cute. I LOVE it. It would be really hard to go back to a cheap bag now, I think I'm hooked...
SugarplumsMom
bananas / 9227 posts

May 8, 2017

I'm not into buying bags, but my mom is. All of the bags that I've gotten from her lasts years and years without issues. For instance my favorite bag is older than I care to share (haha). It's large (laptop size) and has taken a beating, but it's still fully functional. It has withstood textbooks, jam packed as a hand-carry for numerous flights and even became a diaper bag. It's been in rain storms, hail, snow, placed on the ground in public transportation and even impaled by some kid's hockey gear (and it only got a slight nick). I don't do anything to it and it still looks good. It's Coach, so not the most expensive of bags, but I always return to it. I definitely think that a well-made bag is a worthwhile investment, especially if you tend to be bag loyal.
azjax
kiwi / 578 posts

May 8, 2017

If it is made out of good leather with nice finishes, then yes! If you're looking for an investment piece, I would stay away from anything super trendy or odd-sized.
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

May 8, 2017

I think materials are key, I mean, some really expensive handbags are made out of canvas, I don't know if they're worth the price, other than the brand!

I personally like mid priced brands, I have had my share of designer (luxury) bags and I find for my lifestyle, the bags priced around $150 are just fine, if even a bit much.

I think the biggest thing with bags is weight. The bag can be gorgeous, but if it weighs 5 pounds with nothing in it, it isn't practical to be carried every day.
Anagram
eggplant / 11716 posts

May 8, 2017

@HappyBaker: It probably depends a lot on how well you take care of your purse. Personally, I am really hard on purses, because I throw pens and sippy cups (that leak), and half eaten kid snacks, and whatever else in there...And then forget about it and leave it. And I'll sling it over my stroller and it may-or-may-not sometimes drag against the wheel. Etc. So in my case, no my nicer purses have not lasted longer, but I suspect the problem is me.

I have a few Kate Spade bags.

I would also recommend that you join the mailing list for Dooney & Bourke, so you are notified about sales....and then wait for a sale. I've gotten all my Kate Spade bags for at least 1/3 off. So that makes a big difference on a $300 bag.
lamariniere
pineapple / 12566 posts

May 8, 2017

I have one designer bag that I've used nearly every day for the last two years and it still looks great. I love it, and it still gives me a little flutter to carry it. I read a lot of reviews about this particular bag, and it has definitely lived up to my expectations. It was worth it to me, but I wouldn't buy any old bag just to have a designer bag. It was really the only bag I had my eye on and I wasn't interested in other models from the same brand.
T.H.O.U.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts

May 8, 2017

Personally I think there may be a happy medium that I like. Nothing designer but not stuff that falls apart from Target. I like department store brands that I can use for a couple of years. By then I usually want a new style or am at a point in my life where I need it to function differently. I try to stay between $75-$125?
HappyBaker
nectarine / 2242 posts

May 8, 2017

Thanks everyone! Yea I guess I should caveat that to me "nice" at this point is like $100 ish haha. So I'm not going full throttle designer The one I have my one on is on super sale at Macy's otherwise I probably wouldn't consider it! I think I'll just head there and see what strikes my fancy, I agree I don't want to get a more expensive one just because, I want to love it!

Thanks for all the ideas and answers!
Mrs D
grapefruit / 4545 posts

May 8, 2017

I've had various "nicer" bags...I havent quite jumped into the top tier (Chanel, LV, Gucci, etc).

I have been very pleased with the quality of both Coach and Kate Spade. I also do have a Dooney Burke from college days (remember the colorful logo one?!). Anyways - I appreciate Coach's quality and the way they stand by their products. I have once and my mom once had a bag have quality issues...both times the store took the bag back no questions asked and replaced it. These were both leather bags.

I also had a fabric tote from them - after 5 years the lining pulled away on one side. I took it in to an outlet just wondering if they could advise me where to take it for repair and they said they would try to fix it. She called me and asked me to come in about a week later...they were not able to fix it and offered me a replacement bag from their inventory of similar value (basically...though she never gave a value I interpreted that as dont go pick a super expensive leather tote to replace a fabric one...) - I selected a bag...she said enjoy...and asked if I wanted to damaged one back or not...I said no...

Great customer service...great quality...
MamaG
pomelo / 5298 posts

May 8, 2017

I only have one Dooney bag. It's nice but smallish. I've never had an issue with it. I've had too many Coach bags (sold many of them already) as well as a few other brands. Particularly with regards to Coach, the warranty is top notch. I've never had to use the warranty on my Dooney bag. I will say that particular bag is in my closet and is probably 15 years old. I would still use it, if it fit my lifestyle. My lifestyle at the moment necessitates a crossbody bag.
MrsLonghorn
clementine / 806 posts

May 8, 2017

I have used both a Fossil bag and a Michael Kors - both bought on sale - for everyday, including work. They held up great and would be easy to resell. They look professional, despite daily use. Definitely worth it!
808love
pomelo / 5866 posts

May 8, 2017

I like my Kate Spade. They have great Black Friday sales too.
youboots
honeydew / 7622 posts

May 8, 2017

I am a fan of Marc Jacobs. I've bought them at pretty deep discounts. Because they are leather they hold up well.

These days I just toss everything into my backpack, including my black leather Coach clutch.

For bags around $100 I'd check out the Coach outlet if you have one near you.
gingerbebe
cantaloupe / 6131 posts

May 8, 2017

Coach is a nice mid-level brand that is a good "starter" handbag. The reason I say that is because there is a LITTLE bit of a learning curve to carrying nicer bags. I used to just THRASH my bags because they were cheap and then damaged a few nicer bags before I realized I needed to pay better attention. The leather bags especially were a bummer if they got damaged or stained.

The Coach signature coated canvas is waterproof and extremely durable and perfect for moms. If you sign up for the Coach Outlet email list, they email you when they are having blow out sales (like right now the outlet has a Mother's Day sale for 50% off and lots of nice bags are under $100).

If you're going for leather, I would look for a good quality pebbled leather - coated if possible - as its more durable. I REALLY like my new Lodis tote. I got it at Costco for Christmas and it was only like $80 bucks, but its so nice. You can find them at Lodis.com or on Amazon too.

I'd also look for purses with metal feet so you can set it down - if not, invest in a purse hook you can carry with you so you can hang your purse off surfaces so it wont get dirty.

I personally like a medium sized satchel type bag that I can hang off my elbow but sling over my shoulder if need be, or a smaller crossbody.
smocks
apricot / 483 posts

May 8, 2017

I'll go against the grain here and say... I have multiple mid-level designer bags (Coach, Kate Spade, a few nice leather ones off Etsy) but my favorite purses have been from Target.

The materials in the nicer bags are evident, and make it worth it. But don't buy an expensive bag just because of the brand - make sure you know exactly what you want in a bag! I've always been let down with my Coaches, they're either too structured or not structured enough for what I want them for. The 2 I've had from Target have been perfectly engineered and I wish I could have them replicated with nicer materials!
winniebee
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts

May 8, 2017

You can also scout Marshalls or TJ Maxx -- they have designer brands often for a fraction of the price.

I do think a quality bag is worth it. I have some hand bags that have lasted a decade!
catgirl
nectarine / 2018 posts

May 8, 2017

I have a fair amount of handbags that I have had since high school, so 10+ years - those are mostly Coach, Dooney, and Cole Haan. The leather and treated fabric ones have held up the best. But I have always babied my bags, my friends made fun of me for it for many years.

My go to for the past few years has been a longchamp tote. I like that it looks decent but I don't have to baby it quite as much.
hellobeeboston
honeydew / 7235 posts

May 8, 2017

I've had good look with Dooney & Burke, they're constructed really well and last, and the price isn't too terrible! I personally think its better quality than Coach.
808love
pomelo / 5866 posts

May 8, 2017

@winniebee: I got a great deal on Kate Spade at TJ Maxx.

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