I realized as I was ‘researching’ (i.e. online shopping) for this post that I am four months and 53 posts into this blog and this will be my first post about handbags. It might surprise you to learn that as obsessed as I am with clothing and shoes, I am not equally as obsessed with handbags. I tend to buy one new bag per season and wear it with everything. I think that’s mainly because I am lazy and don’t like having to transfer all of my junk from bag to bag each day.
But when I do fall in love with a handbag it’s usually something that’s way out of my price range – like Fendi, or Prada or this Marc Jacobs:
Love the gray, love the gold, love the flap.
Now on principle I have no problems with a handbag costing $428, or even $1,428. Just like with boots, you really get what you pay for in terms of materials and craftsmanship when it comes to handbags. And a good, classic handbag can last you for years.
But I do have a problem with me personally paying more than $200 for a handbag because I’m so darn rough on them. Because I carry the same bag everyday, by the time the season is over my bags tend to look like I ran them over with my car.
So with that in mind I set out to find a similar bag for a price that wouldn’t make me cry if I got a big blue ink mark on the side (which ALWAYS seems to happen to me) and here’s what I found…
Tignanello Stitch Saavy Bag – $139
This bag is a no. There’s gray and then there’s pewter. The difference being that one is a beautiful, classy neutral and the other is a gaudy, shiny mess. I’ll let you figure out which one is which.
This bag is much better. The color isn’t quite as gray as I would like it to be, but the overall shape of the bag is much closer to the Marc Jacobs that I love and the price is great. But while I actually quite like the look of the dark leather detailing on the straps I’m worried they make the bag look too casual to carry at work.
Ferre Large Leather Bag – $195
Now the description for the color of this bag says it’s ‘blue’ so there’s no telling what it looks like in person. But online it looks like a really pretty steely blue-gray and that would be fine with me. My only concern here is that the strap is pretty short and I’m afraid this bag would end up living in my armpit.
And finally,
Fossil Modern Cargo Convertible Flap Bag – $158
This one is by far my fave. The color is almost dead-on and it shares the same gold detailing and flap pocket as the Marc Jacobs. Yes this bag is probably too casual to carry with suits to work, but at this price I could afford to buy another bag that is more work-appropriate as well.
Or I could just spend the $428 on one bag that will work for all occasions – as long as I don’t actually run it over with my car.
Decisions, decisions. Help me decide.
Shea Brakefield
Do We Love It? 
November 30th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
I have that exact Marc Jacobs bag. While it is a really pretty color, the leather scratches and wears down easily, revealing a light, whiteish gray leather underneath. I have been able to cover the scratches up with a dark gray sharpie, (ghetto), but it still drives me crazy- plus at this price point it shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Im all about the “investment bag,” but this one doesn’t seem like its going to be in such great shape for long.
So, long story short, if you are in it for the color, get the MJ- the gray is amazing. If you are looking for a bag that is going to remain in pristine condition for a long time, I might search elsewhere.
December 1st, 2011 at 11:02 am
Thanks Brooke! That is super-good to know. I would have been seriously disappointed to spend all of that money on this bag only to have it get all scratched up so easily.
December 2nd, 2011 at 6:35 am
No prob! This is an embarrassing revelation, but I love to watch qvc. Last nigh Rachel Zoe was on, and she actually has a couple of pretty gray bags- just FYI.
Ps- I really like you blog!