Nice handbag suggestions, please?

[SleepyatDVC]

I want to get my Mom a really NICE handbag that is worn across the body and ample enough to put lots of stuff in.

Ok, let me preface by saying that I am not knowledgeable about handbags, much less "designer" handbags. To me they are just bags to store all my stuff. I have a few inexpensive bags purchased at Target, Marshalls, etc., a few knock-offs, and a few REAL designer bags that my MIL gave to me as gifts.

I treat them all the same, meaning I just throw them around. When they get worn and icky, they get discarded and replaced by another. I will admit that the "real" stuff holds up MUCH better. However, for the price, I could just get a bunch more and replace. Lol.

The only bag I never really use is a LV that my MIL bought and lugged all the way from Paris because... it just isn't me. I actually traded bags with my SIL because she liked the one I got better (bucket bag) versus the one she got (now mine) which is bigger and kinda looks like a business brief - rectangular with a handle (like a shopping bag). Lol. I didn't mind trading (her mother after all) because I had a similar looking bag already (cheaper of course). Also, the fact that it is expensive is also a deterrent. Lol.

Sorry, I got sidetracked... Unlike me, my Mom LOVES handbags and she has closets full of them. LIKE me, she is loathe to spend too much money on them. She, too, is of the camp, more is more.

She is going on a business related trip to the Far East. She needs a nice handbag because she doesn't want to give a bad impression. So, no cheapie Target bag or a knock-off. It has to be able to be worn cross body and big enough to carry all her important documents while traveling (flying/train/etc) and hopefully isn't too heavy. AND she doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg.

She went shopping over the weekend and bought a Guess bag. It was the only one that she liked that was in her price range. I think she paid around $40ish for it on sale. It was HEAVY though because of the ginormous metal lock on the the front. She's thinking of taking the lock off because of the weight. Besides, is Guess even a good handbag brand? I thought they were jeans/clothes. Did she just buy a Gap or Espirit handbag?

Sooooo, I was thinking of getting a nicer bag for her as a birthday present plus early Mother's Day gift. Where should I start looking? I would like to start on-line if possible. And what can I get for the money? I was thinking my budget would be around $60-$200. What brands should I be looking at? Anyone know what brands are popular (maybe TOO expensive) or at least acceptable in HK and China?

I can afford more but neither, I nor my Mom can fathom spending too much on a handbag. What's inside the bag should always be worth more than the bag itself. She'll get mugged for her bag rather than what is inside it. Lol.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

This is the bag she bought in brown.

http://shop.guess.com/Catalog/View/...ossbody Bags/Renee Top Zip Crossbody/SI248732

It's actually cute but her comment of removing the metal lock just cracked me up. So, I want to find her something comparable but LIGHTER.

 

[KibbyCat]

A friend of mine recently started selling with Thirty One gifts. Not sure if you're familiar with them, but it's purses, handbags, totes, etc. I had a party for her and was able to see all their stuff up close. Very nice quality, and cheaper than "designer" purses. [I'm like you, though - I don't like to spend more than $25 on a purse (and that's on the high end; normally I try to spend $10 or less). I love purses, but I want to have money left over to put in the purse!] The customer special this month is half-price purses when you spend $31. You can order online, and if you don't know someone that sells these near you, they'll assign you to someone in your area that can help you if you have any issues. Their Pop Crossbody bag ($48) and the Organizing Shoulder bag ($39) can both be worn across the body and are lightweight. They can also embroider things on them. Might be something your mom would be interested in.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

A friend of mine recently started selling with Thirty One gifts. Not sure if you're familiar with them, but it's purses, handbags, totes, etc. I had a party for her and was able to see all their stuff up close. Very nice quality, and cheaper than "designer" purses. [I'm like you, though - I don't like to spend more than $25 on a purse (and that's on the high end; normally I try to spend $10 or less). I love purses, but I want to have money left over to put in the purse!] The customer special this month is half-price purses when you spend $31. You can order online, and if you don't know someone that sells these near you, they'll assign you to someone in your area that can help you if you have any issues. Their Pop Crossbody bag ($48) and the Organizing Shoulder bag ($39) can both be worn across the body and are lightweight. They can also embroider things on them. Might be something your mom would be interested in.

Thanks for the link! Some of the bags are really cute. Normally, Mom could just run down to Chinatown and pick up some really cute bags on the super cheap. Not necessarily knock-offs, more like "inspired" by the knock-offs. LOL. She really doesn't care about brands, only if she likes the look of the bag. I don't think she's ever spent more than $20-25 for a bag in her life (except for this Guess bag) and all of her bags are cute and last forever.

She takes pretty good care of them (unlike me) so she has literally closets full.

This is the ONE TIME she is looking for the BRAND NAME. So, your suggestion wouldn't work. But thanks. People in HK & China, especially business people, are kinda snotty over there. "You gotta have money to make money" attitude."

So, she wants to make sure her accessories (purse) aren't looked down upon. Dad bought a new suit too. Looks smashing on him. It was a Ralph Lauren for over $600 but there was a sale at Lord & Taylor (I think) for 50% off and another %age off after that.

 

[niccikatie]

I always have awesome luck in the sale section at katespade.com.

 

[beachbunny]

Yes, they are very brand conscious in Asia. I wouldn't take the Guess bag if my goal was to impress - and never a fabric bag.

Since brands don't matter to your mother, I would consider loaning her your LV - even if it's not what she wants it's only for the one trip. She can use another bag for the plane and the LV for the business meetings.

Do you have designer consignment stores in your area? I would look there - you can usually get 50-75% off last year's styles.

At the cheapest, I would go for a Coach bag. They know Coach. Do you have a Coach outlet nearby? Or try Kate Spade's sale section on the web site. They know Kate Spade.

Popular brands in HK include LV, Dior, Channel, Mulberry, ... you get the picture. All VERY expensive.

Finally, if you can't find anything "designer" at your pricepoint, I would go with a nice real leather bag.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Yes, they are very brand conscious in Asia. I wouldn't take the Guess bag if my goal was to impress - and never a fabric bag.

Since brands don't matter to your mother, I would consider loaning her your LV - even if it's not what she wants it's only for the one trip. She can use another bag for the plane and the LV for the business meetings.

Do you have designer consignment stores in your area? I would look there - you can usually get 50-75% off last year's styles.

At the cheapest, I would go for a Coach bag. They know Coach. Do you have a Coach outlet nearby? Or try Kate Spade's sale section on the web site. They know Kate Spade.

Popular brands in HK include LV, Dior, Channel, Mulberry, ... you get the picture. All VERY expensive.

Finally, if you can't find anything "designer" at your pricepoint, I would go with a nice real leather bag.

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'll take her to the Woodbury Commons Outlets one weekend and see what we can find. While trying to shop online I found a 30% off Coach Factory Outlet coupon that expires this weekend.

One problem with shopping online is that it is hard to tell how big/small the bag is and the weight, of course.

I'll see if she wants to borrow my LV. But I never found it to be a useful bag, myself. It's like a glorified tote bag. I throw my tote bags on the floor, etc. and I throw all kinds of crap in it, that I wouldn't in such a nice bag. I do, however, use the bag when I see my MIL.

We'll try to find my Mom something she can use solely first because they are trying to travel as light as possible. So, not having to pack the extra purse/bag would be great.

Bless my MIL. She buys me really nice expensive stuff but really not to my taste. She got us a Burberry "camerabag" one year from the Burberry factory in England. And we NEVER used it. First of all, my digital camera fits in my pocket. Second, when my DH bought a nice digital SLR, he also purchased a specialized backpack bag with all the necessary compartments to protect all the parts. The Burberrry bag just had a big empty space inside and was bulky outside. Thought about using it as a diaper bag but we had so many other bags for that purpose, it just never got used even once.

I did thank my MIL profusely when she bought me the LV but I told her that I'd MUCH rather have her save the money to use on herself and buy me something a lot less expensive. (So, I wouldn't feel so guilty because I don't use it.)

Mom usually likes to wear crossbody purses normally even when not traveling. She likes her hands free. She just needs the bag a bit bigger when traveling. Her preference for leisure travel has always been those LeSportSac type bags because of the lightweightness of them. Obviously, any good leather bag will have some heft to it. But the added weight of a metal locket was just too much!

I'll mention to her that Guess is not a REAL brand name, especially in Asia. She thought because she recognized the brand and she bought it at Macys, she was golden.

Wish me luck shopping!

 

[marie1203]

D&B could be another option. For that price range you are looking for low end designers. I would avoid Coach since they are now made in China and the quality has gone way down. Marc by Marc Jacobs ( I don't own anything from them not sure where are they made). Cole Haan, I think someone else said Kate Spade already, Rebecca Minkoff, Michael kors, Tory Burch. Nothing else comes to mind right now. Good Luck!
I wish I had you MIL!

 

[pezheadmeg]

I would look at the Kate Spade sale section as well.

But if you make the trip to Woodbury Commons I would check the outlets. I got my classic Kate Spade for under $50. It was the discontinued lining, but I knew as a classic bag--it didn't matter to me.

 

[jgreco]

I have a Coach Swingpack that I use when I travel. I always get lots of compliments and it is large enough for my passport, phone, camera and small wallet. Its not too flashy, but not cheap looking either.

I have one similar to this one,
http://cgi.ebay.com/Coach-Hamptons-...017?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item2eb3f37331

 

[prncess674]

Frequent traveler here!

I would have a discussion about what she plans to take on board the plane. Asian airlines are especially strict on carryons so she will be limited to one personal item plus a carry on. While that seems like plenty I always want a small purse (money, passport, chapstick) that I wear the whole time on the plane and then have a small bag on the plane that fits under my seat with all my "junk" that I need in flight and finally a 20" rolling bag for my first 24 hour essentials that I place in the overhead compartment. If the purse is small enough you can always stuff it in your underseat storage bag if they decide to be persnickity about the number of carryons.

I am assuming your Mom is American and will likely always stand out as an American and will be touring the typical sights. Is she attending to business where she will be selling work and a negative "pedestrian look" would possibly be a deterent to selling work? If she is just accompanying your Dad to a dinner or two then just carry a comfortable purse for her tours and pack a small cocktail bag for any business dinners and meetings.

 

[luvmy3]

I love Dooney & Bourke bags so this one would be my choice

http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=50022

 

[ToddyLu]

Ok I have D&B, Gucci and a few others but my favorite travel bags are Vere Bradley. Yes, they are fabric, but very well made and the fabrics are awesome. THey have a red and black print for this Summer that is fantastic and it sorta has a Far East look. There are several styles that cross the body, from her Mini Hipster to Hipster and other commuter bags. Very well priced, light, comfortable and can be washed very easily. All of the purses are lined with a coordinating fabric and I think may just be "different" enough to create some positive comments. They are a completely different type of bag. She has a sale usually al the time online.


Update: The pattern is called Deco Daisy.

 

[Floridagal23]

I am a huge fan of the longchamp "le pliage" line (you have probably seen the totes out and about).


This is a link to one of my favorite bags for travel:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=514218&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

This is a link to another style - it is a little smaller, so I'm not sure what she is planning to carry around.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=514213&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-n-_-n-_-n

 

[akcire]

Sooooo, I was thinking of getting a nicer bag for her as a birthday present plus early Mother's Day gift. Where should I start looking? I would like to start on-line if possible. And what can I get for the money? I was thinking my budget would be around $60-$200. What brands should I be looking at? Anyone know what brands are popular (maybe TOO expensive) or at least acceptable in HK and China?

Thanks for any advice.

I am not a handbag diva, but have lived in China. Chinese women love LV and DB, or Louis Vitton and Dooney & Burke. Chinese friends and my husband's business associates are constantly asking me to buy and ship them bags--they do not trust the bags in China (they are afraid of knock-offs). I probably fedex 15 handbags a year, and most are LV or DB. They just pick them out online and I order (or pick up) and resend.

Personally, those are not brands that like. I would think a nice Hartmann bag in the Wings collection, a Jack Georges, a Brahmin, or even a Lovcat could be fun.

Good places to look would be the Nordstrom or the VonMaur (midwest chain) websites; they tend to have a variety of moderately priced bags.

 

[jldixon62]

My favorites are made by Latico Leathers. I have found them in TJMax and DSW, but if you look for the brand on ebags you'll find a large selection. I like them because they usually have lots of pockets or compartments, most fit my netbook or laptop, the leather is nice and soft so they look nice.

I travel a lot for work and with my Latico I can get away with one bag instead of having to take a purse and briefcase. The ones I got from DSW and TJMaxx were about 90 bucks, the one from ebags was 140 and is my current favorite.

 

[klacey1]

I saw a gorgeous leather crossbody L.A.M.B. bag at Off Saks. I think that's a line that's about Coach or Dooney level in prestige. I thought it was gorgeous and pretty lightweight. Definitely big enough for papers, etc.
I'm also hugely partial to Coach and Kate Spade. I haven't been to Woodbury in a little while, but I'm pretty sure they have both of those outlets there. Check out Off Saks, too. You'll have a variety of designers there.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'm going to write down some of the brand names suggested so I won't forget.

We're going to look around at the outlets this weekend to see if anything appeals to her.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Thanks for all the help. Mom found a Coach bag that she liked last weekend. It is not leather but it is lightweight and looks great but most importantly, she loves it. She picked it over another Coach bag that actually fulfilled ALL of her requirements. The one she picked was actually NOT a crossover bag which I thought was non-negotiable. Lol.

If she hadn't found anything she liked at the Coach sale, she also saw a Dooney bag that she liked as a back up.

Btw, she used the Guess bag she originally bought for church on Sunday and her back and shoulders hurt at the end of the day because it was so heavy! So, that bag is NOT traveling with her.

So, she is all set with a nice bag she can take with her on trip.

Thanks again.

 

[kirstenb1]

Glad to hear. I somehow missed this thread the first go-round. Coach outlets has become my new favorite go-to for handbags. I've found several handbags for really good prices. I just got a tote on clearance for $59. I used to dislike totes, but with 2 outer pockets, can't beat them for convenience when shopping. Anyway, I know they had a lot of styles that would have suited your Mom well. Happy traveling to her!!!