Looking For A Nice "starter" Bag

[baggi]

Hi,

I'm looking for a bag that's less than $350, good quality and durable. Any opinions?


Thanks!

 

[leyla m.]

MIU MIU usually have good shape bags that are roomy and durable and nice and not SO expensive

 

[TheSweetest]

I love miu miu and I totally agree, but I think Furla bags are wonderful. They are super simple, super versatile, and super cute! . They aren't very expensive neither. Cole Haan is nice too!

 

[BritBagLady]

I'm a BIG fan of Orla Kiely. Her leather bags are more like $450 but the coated canvas ones are from around $150. They are true originals and made to last. She has a cult following so isn't over-exposed. Their are a wide range of styles and prints but plainer styles too. Good luck!

 

[mikeijames]

http://www.eluxury.com/browse/product_deta...&SectionID=9000

i always recommend canvas-y, logo-type bags for your first adventure into bags simply so you get over that look (and not waste a thousand on a logo-ed bag you'll hate in three months)...then when you're ready to upgrade go with something more fashion-forward or classic-quality (depending on your tastes). and for your next bag you should budget no less than five hundred.

 

[MJCouture]

I'd say go with a Miu Miu. Some of the styles are very clasic, and very few are over $500, but they are still fashionable.

 

[Plumour]

MIU MIU

 

[chocsta]

I think a nylon Prada is a good choice, they're quite versatile and very durable. Get something in a basic colour like black, and you'll get lots of use out of it.

 

[softgrey]

miu miu-your best bet....
furla-varies from season to season, but usually good
kooba-available at bergdorf, scoop...very cute...looks like marc
orla kiely-love
vanessa bruno-bergdorf, scoop-cute and different-like balenciaga
jamin puesch-cute, whimsical...can go from day to night

nylon prada...too 80's and will look cheap
anything with logos all over it...crap

 

[baggi]

I like Miu Miu myself but the nicer bags are always over 400 I didn't really like the Fendi bag.. but when I saw it on the website it actually looks pretty nice carried.

Another question I have is.. which brand has the best quality leather?

Thanks!

 

[leyla m.]

Originally posted by baggi@Apr 22nd, 2004 - 8:48 pm
I like Miu Miu myself but the nicer bags are always over 400 I didn't really like the Fendi bag.. but when I saw it on the website it actually looks pretty nice carried.

Another question I have is.. which brand has the best quality leather?

Thanks!

i vote for HERMES just for its softness/suppleness

 

[baggi]

Heh.. actually I was referring to the brands listed in the poll

 

[leyla m.]

Originally posted by baggi@Apr 22nd, 2004 - 9:16 pm
Heh.. actually I was referring to the brands listed in the poll

oh hahah sorry!

in that case i dont really know. it depends what leather they use, no?

my MIU MIU is sooooooo soft and slouchy. out of the collection of bags i got , its the one i use the most i think... and its extremely lightweight. thats an important aspect for me

 

[baggi]

Hmm.. I've always thought the heavier the leather the more durable it is (hence better quality), no?

Do you have a pic of your Miu miu bag? I'd love to see it! Also, did you get it online?

 

[leyla m.]

i havent got a pic yet
and i didnt get it online either. i actually bought it in Kuwait "villa moda" discoutn store for less than 100 dollars
it was so great that i got a similar one for my best friend too

but anyways, you must really see for yourself.
maybe you could post pics of ur choices and we could then help

 

[baggi]

OK.. here are the bags that I'm considering:

Marc by MJ

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/products/an/F4V2516_an.jpg

Coach

http://www.coach.com/shop/product_nobefree...ce=&easyask_id= (in WHITE)
http://www.coach.com/shop/product_nobefree...ce=&easyask_id= (in WHITE)
http://www.coach.com/shop/product_nobefree...ce=&easyask_id=
(in WHITE)


MIU MIU

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/products/mp/S4L4850_mp.jpg - over the budget
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/Produc...234&DCLKSLOT=15


COLE HAAN

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/Produc...921&DCLKSLOT=13



And now for the bags I lust for!!

Luella Baby Gisele in green
Dior White Leather Baudrier Bag
Marc Jacobs Small Hobo (the new one)
CelineCalfskin Boogie Bag
LV Bedford Bag in Monogram Vernis
LV Epi Réverie Handbag
LV Epi Soufflot
LV Papillon Vachetta
Prada Buckle Flap Handbag


I've been bag hunting for MONTHS and I keep telling myself "something better will come along.. be patient.. " but i just can't take it anymore! I need to get it out of my system Something nice, casual, and versatile is what I'm looking for.

 

[rayncloudx]

marc by marc jacobs

ok. the ones i like are:
the last coach bag and the 2 miu miu bags.

the cole haan bag looks nice in the picture but it's really in real life. the texture is horrible.. i can't explain it. and the bag looks like it's 'bumpy' b/c it's supposed to be similar to crocodile but it's really not.

also, if you're getting something like a leather tote, make sure you take weight into account. the bag might add a lot more weight along with your books and it'll just be heavy and annoying to carry around so you won't get use out of it.

 

[chocsta]

I'd go for the MJ and the first coach.

 

[softgrey]

i hate to say it...but i think the marc bag is the best one...

 

[As You Like It]

If I could afford something expensive it would probably be a plainer Coach bag. They seem really well made, and they have a lifetime repair warranty. I would stay FAR away from any logo thing. I don't think I would get a knock off of a currently fashionable shape, like a faux-Birkin, because the fad will pass, and while a real Birkin is a lifetime investment, a knockoff won't be worth the leather it was cut from when the fashion passes.

I would not get coated canvas. It gets icky looking right away and doesn't clean well, and it is not like you can just bung it in the washing machine, like you can with a plain canvas or denim bag. I would go for a sturdy leather, not a slouchy one like the MiuMiu, but then again, I only ever have one bag at a time, and use it until it is worn out, therefore sturdiness, maintainability, and durability are of the essence to me. Ditto a style that doesn't go out of fashion, since I will easily tote a bag around for 5-6 years. If I could afford better quality stuff, it would probably be for even longer.

I like dark-colore (black or brown) smooth leather, because you can clean it with saddle-soap and touch it up with shoe-polish when it gets shabby.

I like the Marc by MJ one, but I would have to get it in black or brown if I was getting one. It looks like a good all-arounder. You could carry keys, snacks, wallet, novel, sunscreen, camera, ect. in there, it looks like.