@VeryHappy - I like those very much too!! I guess I should scratch the full pay schools from D2’s list and only focus on the gives merit ones! lol
I have a coach bag from probably the mid 80s. I remember paying something like 125 bucks for it, and it was a big deal. I actually don’t use it any more, but I am considering starting again. I do have another plain black coach bag that I use for part of the year. I’ve had it for several years now. I’ve had a variety of lighter colored bags for the spring and summer… Including a couple of Kate Spade bags. They don’t last as long, bc lighter colors get dirty. I use one bag the entire season, except when I go on vacations someplace warm during the cold months.
I don’t own any Longchamp bags, but I have purchased them for grad presents. I go for leather bags for me, in boring colors. I have considered red or bright blues for “fun.”
There is a designer who plasters his initials all over his purses. Those initials happen to be my initials. Normally I do not buy things emblazoned with someone else’s initials. For some reason it amuses me to carry a bag with my initials all over it.
I’m not brand loyal but I seem to always choose structured styles. I have almost the same style in different brands. I’m pretty rough with my purses, too, so buying a really expensive one would be money wasted on me. My recent big purchase is a Kate Spade that I love (but have already scratched!) Plus, my philosophy is to not buy a purse so pricey that I have an empty wallet to put in it. 
Coach and Dooney Burke are my favorites and my guilty pleasure. Hey, flip flops and pocketbooks always fit ! I get last years’ models at the outlets, even have a Coach work bag (thanks Mom). I use very small bags, either wristlets or cross overs so the prices are not outrageous. Funny story, my son bought me my first Coach pocketbook (he had a girlfriend with good taste lol) when he was 18 and I was 48, now I’m hooked.
My favorite was a tan woven with butterflies and flowers, I think it was a Coach, I wore that thing out, really cool summer bag!
My friend bought me a very nice understated Vera Bradley back pack which I use for work; it’s black with creme trim. I have a white Ferragamo bag someone gave me in the 1980’s that I have never taken out of the box because it’s not my style.
Other than that, I use Lands End back packs. When I go out, which is rare, I put my phone in H’s pocket.
If I were you, I’d find a high end consignment shop and see what you can get for it.
Vuitton…bucket bag…Gucci blue handbag, tote…MarcJacobs black, red…Prada…black tote, yellow sac, small black, Versace yellow…chloe red…Chanel cream, a few others…Yep, I am an expensive person to keep in purces
I am eyeing a Nancy Gonzalez blue alligator bag. Just gorgeous.
Nancy G is great! I have a black alligator clutch with embroidered flowers (using alligator).
I like Sang A, Celine, Chanel. I just got a great Margaret Howell messenger bag in London.
I don’t live logos tho.
I say if you can afford and want a yellow bag for one season, go for it. You can always sell it later.
I just found my perfect purse!
Ooohhh… This one, too. The black is very professional. B-)
I have a Michael Kors Kempton in teal and an LV.
I like Chanel’s classic quilted bag and tote bag for work. I do like Prada’s style, especially the ones without their logos. If you don’t mind very gentle wear, you can get very good value on therealreal.com. I recently bought a Prada bag my my sister-in-law. If I didn’t tell her where I got it, she wouldn’t have known it was second hand.
Yes to The RealReal and Yoogi’s. That’s where I get a lot of my fancy shoes - unworn, in boxes.
I have a sister who loves handbags. She once owned a high end handbag store in a wealthy area.i think the designer bag is different for different people. For some a bag that is over $100 is high end where my sister carried bags that were easily $500 and up. She stays away from the Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade type of brands as she is into the construction and feels like as the bags get mass produced they take steps to save money. Things most of us don’t notice. If you want a colored bag Kate Spade has nice bags in a wide range of colors. Look for sales. Nordstrom will have their anniversary sale in the summer and it is usually a good time to pick up a new fall bag.
I am a brown, cognac or black bag person. I have a couple of Fossil bags that are prints that I sometimes use for travel when I want a light weight bag. Actually Fossil makes some nice colored leather bags that won’t cost a fortune.
This is the tote I’m using right now http://www.shoplaggo.com/all-bags/remy-ox-blood mine is a black with a bit of metallic shine to the leather. I prefer to normally carry a cross body so the tote is out of my usual routine.
My favorite color is blue and I wear a lot of it. So when I saw a beautiful dark blue leather Gucci bag this spring I had to have it. It’s a little brighter than navy and has worked really well as a daily bag. I’ve come to the conclusion that a classic high end bag is worth the cost in the long run because they last for years and years. I wouldn’t spend that much though for a novelty bag or a colored bag that doesn’t work with lots of outfits.
I also have several LV monogram bags, one of which I never travel without because its exterior pockets are perfect for keeping up with a bottle of water, hotel key, etc.
Yes to Chanel, Prada and Hèrmes.
I do, and they were gifts or bought at clearance and I don’t love any of them or feel jealous of anyone else’s. I actually hate giant bags with flashy zippers. They all look trashy to me no matter the price.
My favorite purse is this little piece of middle class older lady Americana: https://www.verabradley.com/us/product/Style/Color/12728-12728081?CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=45957093488&CATCI=pla-334746677244&cm_mmc=PLA--GS--02-01-2016-_-_mkwid%7Csijr76sVS%7Cpcrid%7C183522434117%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cpdv%7Cc%7Cslid%7C&gclid=CLiXts-UytMCFRlWDQodgU0Hyw
because your wallet is so accessible and there’s an open top pocket for your phone on the back side. I have it in several colors, all of which I bought for $14 at a super sale with coupons. That’s all I want!
I haven’t actually bought a bag in decades. My M&F liked to give me a Coach bag for Christmas every few years (this was the old, classic Coach style made of that great leather), and then they switched to Dooney&Burke. My father died in 2010, and I’m still using the last bag they gave me. I was still using the one before that at the time, and had this one in reserve. They last forever, and I am too lazy to switch purses.
ETA, I think that I have only bought 1 bag in my life. I was travelling to Guatemala and bought a lightweight canvas bag that could be worn with the strap across the chests and had secure pockets. Walmart. Haven’t used it since.
I have seen cute pastel Kate Spade bags in TJMax, but I don’t know what I’d do with one.
I can absolutely understand the appeal, though. Who was that designer who made expensive evening clutches that looked like shells and so forth? I used to salivate over them in Vogue.
I have two LV bags in different colors. Got one from my DH and another from my son few years ago as a birthday gifts.