NBR Handbag Poll

s-a-r-a-h · May 2011

I need a new everyday adult purse (something that looks professional and can fit all my work crap). I found one that I really like at Nordstrom but it's $250. I think I've only spent that much on a purse once, as my limit is usually around $125. I have friends who have no qualms about dropping $300 on a Coach purse, so I'm wondering if I'm in the minority or if it's the norm to spend a small car payment on a purse.[Poll]

rssnlvr · May 2011

I buy all my purses at Target. On sale. In fact, I hesitate to spend more than $30 (as in, I usually won't).

ali-1411 · May 2011

I have a Coach purse that I've used nearly every day for the last 5 years. Its still in great shape. When the time comes, I wouldn't hesitate to spend $300 on a new one.

I wouldn't spend $300 on four different purses every year, though. That's a bit much

HSartteach · May 2011

rssnlvr:
I buy all my purses at Target. On sale. In fact, I hesitate to spend more than $30 (as in, I usually won't).

This. The last one I bought was from target and was 35$. I just can't justify to myself spending that much money on a purse. I'm just not that type of person. If I could carry everything in my pockets, I would.

BoxerMomma · May 2011

i usually buy bags at target b/c i know theyre going to get beat up and used as a diaper bag most days. i love the bags at anthropologie, i got one off the sale rack and with a birthday coupon last year. i think i ended up paying like $75 for my anthro one and it's my favorite purse that i've ever had.

now, if i was working, i would want that purse you shared for sure. i would want something more grown up looking for everyday use. but i still dont think i could bring myself to spend that much.

Mrs.Froggianna · May 2011

I usually buy stuff at Target or Kohl's, but I've got a serious weakness for Kate Spade and I've bought one $300+ purse. The others I've bought at their sample sales or the outlet. If you LOVE the bag and will use it often for several years I don't see anything wrong with splurging now and again.

Taytee · May 2011

I haven't had a real purse since Abby was born. Before then, mostly from Target like others. Went shopping on my weekend trip to find something more grown up and I had a hard time. I may end up dropping $300 on a Coach purse to find one I love. Otherwise, the only other thing I tend to use besides the diaper bag is a Hawaiian print mini-handbag I got from the nestie clothing swap 3 years ago! Let's just say it doesn't go with everything.

AustinBride06 · May 2011

I think I probably only have one that I spent over $400. But in my defense, it was worth 5x more... (exclusive limited edition Marc Jacobs "Stam")

ETA: the 3 other bags that I carry the most are in the $300-400 range (all list for 5x more than that). But lately I've been carrying a cross-body bag that I got on sale for $35 and a canvas Banana Republic tote that was probably about $20. I don't buy expensive bags anymore.

smb29 · May 2011

I like to buy at TJ Maxx/Marshalls/DSW (I usually find TJ or DSW has the best selection). I usually don't spend more than $50ish, but can get a bag that would be $100-$200 in a regular store. I'd love to have a $300 purse, but I'm probably too much of a bargain shopper to ever spend that.

ditzydi_2000 · May 2011

I usually only buy a purse once every couple years so I don't really mind spending a little extra money for one when I decide I want to buy one. My recent purse splurge was for a LV that DH said he was going to buy me for my birthday this month but we ended up buying in May before the prices went up.

Besides the LV purchase I say I wouldn't spend more than $250 on a purse.

Sinafey · May 2011

Does a pretty swanky diaper bag count? I spent about $160 on the Jujube Behave, but it pulls double duty and nobody ever believes me when I tell them it's actually a machine washable diaper bag.

Prior to it I always bought at TJ Maxx and thought $30 was extravagant, but my purses would get beaten up and look like crap with a few months. I've had the Jujube for about 6 months and it looks brand new so I'm thinking that I'll be willing to shell out extra cash for quality in the future.

MrsAJL · May 2011

I have 6 purses and they were all retail for over $300. I either got them as gifts from the outlet or paid outlet prices (so nothing over $180). However the one I really liked the most was a $25 one from Target I got a long time ago (and lost!)

I'm really partial to leather handbags and they're expensive (except St. John's Bay from JC Penney. I kind of like those, but the sometimes remind me of my grandma, but I digress.) Even if the body of the bag isn't leather, I prefer leather trim or all fabric trim. I HATE vinyl. It tends to crack and break very easily.

Some places to look for expensive handbags at affordable-ish prices are Nordstrom Rack, NM Last Call, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, DSW, and the brand outlets (Coach and Cole Haan have nice outlets with a good selection. I really love Cole Haan bags.)

mrs.wildman · May 2011

A few years ago I got a $300 GC to Nordstrom and decided to blow the whole thing on a purse. It really hurt to spend that much money on a bag, but I'm still carrying it every day. Since I work, I don't carry my diaper bag with me everywhere - I just swap my wallet out to my diaper bag on the weekends.

I was able to justify spending this much $ on a bag in that a) it matches pretty much everything I have (black) b) is a timeless design - bowling bag style and c) how many pairs of shoes do I have that I've spent $50+ on and only wear once or twice? This is my most used and most prominently seen accessory. Additionally (d) every other purse that I've bought at Target/TJ Maxx/Ross generally falls apart within a couple of months. This bag has held up and still looks great.

That said, as much as I love my bag, I'm bored and want a new one. I find it hard to justify spending $300 when it's my own money, but will probably break down and do so soon - maybe for my birthday in a couple of months. I feel so much more grown up with a fancy handbag

atlantic · May 2011

This is the way I think of it... if you were going to wear the same outfit every day, you'd be willing to spend a bunch of money on it, yes? It's totally worth it (provided you can still eat and such) to splurge on a handbag you love, especially if it will be an every day bag. I want to see the bag you're eyeing!

I've been trying to splurge on a bag for about two months now and just cannot find one I love. DH got me a really pretty Rebecca Minkoff bag for mother's day but i just didn't love it enough for the price tag, so back it goes.

labbielover07 · May 2011

I'm going to sound crazy, but I dropped $500 on a Louis Vuitton bag about 5 years ago. I love it and it is still in great shape. It is a classic and will never go out of style. I also have 4 Coach bags which aren't as expensive, but not cheap and they hold up just as well. Of course right now I'm not using any of them (except a Coach wallet) because I just put everything in my diaper bag, but I used all of those bags every single day until DD was born. I'll have them all forever! I love a nice bag!

MrsAJL · May 2011

I wanted to add that since having Molly, this is what I carry around (and it just drops so nicely into her diaper bag.) I don't even bother carrying a purse on date nights. Just this whale thing.

SaraLouiseBride08 · May 2011

I realized a few years ago that I'm also partial to real leather. I usually get my purses at Rack, TJ, etc ... and spend between $100-$150. I can get a name brand, real leather very nice purse for that. They are all still in flawless shape! I just bought an awesome black leather purse for my birthday this year ... and have never used it.

Now I'm carrying a $25 Nine West leopard print bag from TJMaxx ... it's vinyl and makes a great diaper bag ;-)

L L CG · May 2011

$1100 for the bag, $700 for the wallet. LV.

I will never, ever do it again. DH insisted because he wanted to buy me something nice with part of his signing bonus with his firm. I've had them for 3-4 years. Now that I want to change bags, I feel guilty and don't do it. I've thought about just switching for a couple of years and then busting out the Louie again in the future. That's prob what I'll do.

I'd buy a fake LV in a heartbeat if I could find a good one.

molliedb · May 2011

i have purchased one expensive bag (kate spade, about $300). i was married with no kids and we had a different level of expendible income back then

since having kids? $30? lol

amyliisa · May 2011

I do love me a designer handbag, but I can't think of any purse I've ever spent more than $30 on. I received a Coach bag several years ago as a gift, and a couple years ago I stumbled across a really nice all leather Fossil bag in excellent condition at an upscale consignment shop, that I splurged on for $25. Most recently, I received a gift from my employer for 15 years of service last winter, and I got to choose the gift from the 'corporate gifts' website, so I chose a Kate Spade bag. I luuuuuuurve it, but I would never have spent $300 on it. (although now that I've been spoiled by it, I'm much more likely to consider spending that on another one if/when I need one).

joyco · May 2011

I wouldn't know a Coach bag if it hit me in the face. I use a fancy fanny pack that my sister made for me, I am that awesome. I wouldn't spend more than $20 on a bag. Ever.

I ditto HSArt when I say I'd prefer to carry everything in my pockets.

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