Handbag suggestions?

Parent Cafe
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<p>This is a frivolous question, but I am spending too much time on this, and I know that I will get some great ideas from my CC friends!</p>

<p>I am in the market for a new handbag. I use only one bag at a time, and usually keep them for 2-3 years. Most of my bags have been Christmas presents from my husband (chosen by me, of course!). A couple of them were Coach bags, before they changed their style from traditional to trendy. (I realize that they still sell some of the old styles, but I am looking for something different now.) The last one was Brahmin, their most traditional style (black leather with some brown croc trim). I’ve had it for over 3 years and it is worn. I hate everything they have now.</p>

<p>I have two problems with most bags these days:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>open top - I like a bag that closes securely. Most bags these days have magnetic or toggle closures. I prefer a zipper top (although I don’t like the way it looks) or at least a style that minimizes the chance that things will fall out if the bag tips over.</p></li>
<li><p>no interior compartments - Most bags these days have one large interior compartment, with a few pockets and small zipper pockets in the lining. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>I am looking for something fairly simple, not too huge, in black or brown leather. I am good at finding nice bags on sale or on discount sites.</p>

<p>I found a couple of possibilities on Zappos from Etienne Aigner, a company that makes very well-priced bags. I love this one:</p>

<p>[Etienne</a> Aigner Vienna Satchel at Zappos.com](<a href=“No results for Etienne aigner vienna satchel maple etienne | Zappos.com”>No results for Etienne aigner vienna satchel maple | Zappos.com)</p>

<p>It’s not as big as it looks in the photo. It’s on the large end of the size range I am looking for. I love the internal compartments (click on “additional views” to see a good photo of the inside), but the top is open. I ordered this one in maple, and a similar one with a zip top, and they came this morning. Unfortunately, the one in the photo is even more open at the top than I thought it would be, and I know that I would have a problem with items escaping. The other one is secure, but I don’t like it as much; it has too much decorative hardware and somehow the shape is not attractive. So I am going to return them.</p>

<p>All suggestions gratefully accepted!</p>

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<p>I know you said you’re not that happy with Coach, but I just saw the Hailey Crossbody Bag from Coach…different from anything I’ve seen from them recently…but more updated than there old “boxy” handbags. It’s really nice…and roomy without looking bulky.</p>

<p>The one I saw is solid black leather …not the sateen printed fabric.</p>

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<p>^^If you find a nice bag please post it - that EA one does look nice. I have the same thoughts on bags as you and on top of it am cheap. :-)</p>

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<p>Oh no! A handbag thread!!! Won’t be able to stay away from checking on this!!! </p>

<p>My favorite handbag place to shop is TJ Maxx - you can find such a variety from inexpensive to quite expensive, and I like how they often arrange them according to color - so much easier to browse through them that way.</p>

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<p>Too funny! This was my bag for a few years too! I used it at first strictly for “dressy” occasions and then used it every day. It went well with black or brown, which is why I loved it. It was bit small for me for everyday use. I bought it on sale, had coupon, and a gift card for Lord and Taylors.</p>

<p>Like abasket, my favorite store for bags is TJMaxx! Love their prices for bags! Six months ago I bought a Makowsky bag there and I love it. I use it for everyday.</p>

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<p>NYMom, I know what you are talking about - selection of a handbag for me is a long, agonizing process :slight_smile: I buy one bag and keep it for 3-5 years. I avoid trendy stuff and prefer security features such as zip top, small strap to keep the bag under my arm, etc. I have to keep my bag fairly small so I do not overload my shoulder. My current bag is a Calvin Klein, and when it croaks, I’ll buy another Calvin Klein bag (50% clearance at Macy’s). Their bags are very well made, have no offensive logos, and the quality of leather or fabric is amazing. My bag looks like this (but it is just black leather):</p>

<p>[eyelet</a> hobo bag - Handbags + Small Goods- Calvin Klein](<a href=“http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3729825]eyelet”>http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3729825)</p>

<p>Check their site for other bag styles - there are some nice ones, if you find something you like, check if Macy’s clearing them out.</p>

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<p>I feel the same way about Coach! I thought it was just me. I found a wonderful black Kate Spade bag that I am using now. Black pebble leather, top zips shut. Perfect. </p>

<p>I am truly bummed with the direction Coach has gone. :(</p>

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<p>One feature that I enjoy in my current handbag is an outside pocket (no closure for that pocket, which is fine) on the backside of it for my cell phone. This makes for little fumbling on my part when the darn thing rings at the most inconvenient times! Even though it does not close with a button or zipper, it has never fallen out of my bag. I am one who likes to secure my valuable items in a zipper compartment if the whole bag is not entirely zipped because I don’t want everything tumbling onto the floor in my car if I stop short and my bag tumbles off the front seat.</p>

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<p>If you really like the old Coach styles, you might check on ebay. You can find both gently used and never worn bag of older styles.</p>

<p>I love Coach because they last and last - but like you, I am VERY PICKY about the features. A closed top is a must for me!</p>

<p>There are also some nice practical Dooney and Burke styles this fall (in addition to the cutesy HS prints!!!) I had a D&B bag plus wallet years ago, and it NEVER wore out!</p>

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<p>NYMomof2 (Just had to add this)
Perhaps spending time on the quest for the perfect handbag is a good stress relief during the college admin season. Just realize that you will not need to have a good mix of reaches, matches, and safeties when it comes to handbags!</p>

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<p>Although I need a new black bag, I am deferring the purchase while I’m doing some updates to my house. I’ve had several Coach bags as well, but I’m craving a Cole-Haan bag for my next bag. I saw some nice ones at Off 5th last spring and Neiman Marcus has some in their sale catalogs from time to time. On top of the sale price, N-M is hurting financially and it won’t be long before they have their 20% off everything deals going to bring in some 4th quarter revenue.</p>

12

<p>Take a look at Tiganello bags. Both the quality and prices are reasonably good.</p>

<p>[Tignanello</a> Handbags & Bags – Huge Selection - Free Returns - eBags](<a href=“http://www.ebags.com/tignanello/brand_search/index.cfm?brandid=43&lastterm=tiganello]Tignanello”>http://www.ebags.com/tignanello/brand_search/index.cfm?brandid=43&lastterm=tiganello)</p>

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<p>I have a large Coach shoulder bag (I forget what the style name is), one of the sateen ones and I love it. I have several nice leather bags but the problem I have is that once they’re full of my ‘stuff’, they are too heavy. The good quality leather bags are sometimes heavy even when they’re empty! I have a Mark Jacobs bag which is beautiful but it’s leather and a style that also has fairly large chain detail so it’s ridiculous to try to carry it around full. I think my favorite bag is my Balenciaga, which I’ve had for an eternity, and I’ve used it so much that it needs a good cleaning and some restoration. I’ve heard of a woman who does this but haven’t gotten around to it yet.</p>

<p>One of my Ds gave me a purse organizer for Christmas a couple of years ago. I forget the exact name of it but it works wonderfully for those bags that are one large compartment.</p>

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<p>The new Coach line is strange. My daughter and I were in the Coach store today and didn’t like anything, which is VERY unusual.</p>

<p>Check out Tano bags (google it). They are often on ebay. It is a soft Italian leather with lots of different styles. I, too, like a closed top. Tano has styles with zippered tops and outside pockets and there is an inside zip pocket and a small slash pocket inside, too. They come in great colors, as well as the basics. </p>

<p>Fossil has a higher end line now that Dillard’s carries with some nice choices. Dooney has some good bags, but they are huge.</p>

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<p>Ok, I am not going to be able to contribute much here. Fundamentally, we have different ideas what a handbag means to us. To me, a handbag is not suppose to be practical. It is suppose to enhance the total look. Who says it’s suppose to organize your life? In the last 10 years, every bag I’ve had has been like a big sac (where I couldn’t find anything) or a small shoulder clutch that’s not even big enough for both a wallet AND a cell phone. </p>

<p>All I could say to you all is “Good luck, when you do find one that is practical and trendy you just let all of us know. I will then go out to buy a lot of that company’s stock, ahead of the market.”</p>

<p>No, I don’t like Coach just because most of them have a lot of Cs on them, just like when Gucci used to have G all over their bags.</p>

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<p>Try Levengers…under Briefcases and Totes, Women’s Organizer Handbags, several for sale prices. Good luck. I feel your pain…it is a major project to pick the right handbag. I am always concerned about handles which can break, hardware which is not sturdy enough, and edging which will fray or discolor. Polishing the leather on a handbag is a problem, too.</p>

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<p>I like Levengers–Steve Levine is real gentleman, and has been guest at my book club (he runs a men’s group). </p>

<p>After 2 years of searching, for perfect bag, walked into Burberry’s and found it, 65% off!!! Pebble leather, interior pockets, top zipper.</p>

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<p>When my Coach bags get worn looking I take them to a shoemaker to be refurbished. It costs $20-$25. Coach used to do that for free. A friend bought one for $1.00 at a garage sale and sent it to Coach but those days are gone. I prefer classics and am glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t like the current Coach styles.</p>

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<p>I second the vote for TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Ross. I have found great designer bags there in the past. Yesterday I found the perfect bag for me at Nordstrom Rack. It was the perfect size, weight (what is it with all the dumb heavy hardware they add to bags these days?) and has the requisite compartments. It was Betsy Johnson, and not the trendy Betsyville which seems too young for me. Oh, and I found a pleather coat at Nordy Rack too- $49 that feels like lambskin, and is machine washable!!!</p>

<p>It was a good shopping day yesterday! gloat, gloat , gloat!</p>

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<p>I have found several great bags on <a href=“http://www.bagborroworsteal.com%5B/url%5D”>www.bagborroworsteal.com</a> in their “sale” section where they sell both “gently used” and brand new bags. My favorite purchase was a kooba (that sounds a lot like what you described OP) for a tremendous discount. They have frequent sales on short notice an have 80% discounts. </p>

<p>I’ve realized that I need a handbag with one strap (with two, one always falls off my shoulder) a secure closure and a type of leather that wears well (e.g. pebbled). I like to have a nice handbag because then, no matter what I’m wearing, I feel like my handbag makes a statement.</p>