Fancy Purse People!

VulgarGirl

I have decided to buy the wifey a nice fancy purse for Christmas. Ideally something she could carry to work and be able to fit a few file folders in if she needed too. She likes bold colors, but not crazy patterns, and needs to be able to put it on her shoulder. I'm thinking around $500 is my cap. I wanted something good that will last her awhile because she will carry the same purse day in and day out. Oh, and she hates when it has the little logos all over it. Like the little C's or the LVs on the whole purse. A small something saying the brand is fine, just not covering it.

Show me the purse porn ladies!

huskypuppy14

Kate Spade has some bold colors and no logos. That might be a place to start.

sarawifenow

I am still obsessed with London Fog. They are pretty affordable and they have a lot of cute colors.

http://www.londonfog.com/bags/handbags.html

 

This is my current bag from them

 

 

 

abbyj700

I got this from my bossman last year for Christmas in red. I carry it every day and love the hell out of it! 

Jells2dot0

I buy almost all of my purses here:

http://www.modalu.com/

 

They have a few items in bright blue or yellow. They ship from the UK for about 15 pounds and you may have to pay customs on it as well.

ShesSoCold

I agree with Kate Spade. Really really cute purses without being overly girly or juvenile feeling. Good quality too. 

esstee33

Mmmmm, Fossil. Like this one: CLICKY

lovegood90

Love Kate Spade!

I got this Michael Kors purse for my birthday around 2-3 birthdays ago and it still looks brand new:

http://www.michaelkors.com/jet-set-top-zip-saffiano-leather-tote/_/R-US_30F2GTTT8L?No=15&color=0600#

buttercup1958

Sometimes Modcloth has really good purses too. I have the Cambridge Satchel in bright red and I love it. I also agree with the Kate Spade suggestions.

abl13

J crew has a nice leather tote in multiple colors:

 

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/handbags/totes/PRDOVR~A4399/A4399.jsp?color_name=persian-red

 

I really want this but do not need any more bags.

lacqueredlover

I'm a big fan of Cole Haan, great quality!

plainjane0415

Gigi New York also has classic bags in different colors and styles.

http://www.giginewyork.com/

I'm not sure if she is into this, but you can also get initials monogrammed on the bags.  Their monogrammed bags are very classic too, not the over the top gaudy stuff that monograms can sometimes be.

jenna8984

Her taste is exactly like mine!! I was never into expensive purses, I always preferred $30 ones from Marshall's that I could swap out a few times a year. But then DH bought me a cobalt blue leather Coach purse (no logos) and I'm obsessed with it. I get so many compliments.

amelisha

Agreed that Kate Spade and Michael Kors are two good options within your price point. 

I looooove my Fossil bags, but it's not a status brand so I don't know if that's the kind of thing you'd want. 

climbingsingle

Definitely London Fog or Kate Spade. 

wandajune6

I love the Kate Spade idea as well. Michael Kors and Cole Haan are other favorites. While not super-trendy, Dooney & Bourke makes high quality leather bags that have a variety of fun colors. I'm also in lust with Rebecca Minkoff brands (check Nordstrom) and they have great colors.

A few tips:

• If she's hard on her bags, go for a pebbled leather rather rather than something smooth and shiny- they'll look nicer longer.
• Skip Coach. This might be controversial but I think their brand equity has been damaged enough that it's not worth the money.
• Check how heavy it is, if possible. Some bags are crazy heavy and miserable to carry.
• Consider entry- if she's riding the train, a purse that zips rather than snaps gives more security.
• Avoid suede.
  

Fran1985

jenna8984 said:

Her taste is exactly like mine!! I was never into expensive purses, I always preferred $30 ones from Marshall's that I could swap out a few times a year. But then DH bought me a cobalt blue leather Coach purse (no logos) and I'm obsessed with it. I get so many compliments.

I got my bridesmaid a colbalt blue coach purse and she raves about it- she says she gets so many compliments. Coach has been doing a lot of bold colors

sarahufl

I like Fossil- their leather is really, really soft. But it also gets dinged up pretty easy, so if you are too hard on it, it could be a problem.

I have this one, that I really like. I also have this one for weekends when I don't feel like carrying a big bag.

dcbride86

Kate Spade is definitely my vote.  Kate Spade bags are classic, and can easily be used for both work and everyday.  Also, Kate Spade is definitely fancy, but itsn't "showy" with the brand showing like Coach can be.

Here are a couple cute bags that come in bright colors: 

http://www.katespade.com/classic-nylon-phoebe/PXRU5394,en_US,pd.html?dwvar_PXRU5394_color=648&cgid=ks-handbags#start=13&cgid=ks-handbags

http://www.katespade.com/cedar-street-medium-harmony/PXRU4423,en_US,pd.html?dwvar_PXRU4423_color=448&cgid=ks-handbags#start=5&cgid=ks-handbags

http://www.katespade.com/CHARM-CITY-OSTRICH-MARYANNE/WKRU2131,en_US,pd.html?dwvar_WKRU2131_color=687&cgid=ks-sale-handbags-wallets#start=34&cgid=ks-sale-handbags-wallets

http://www.katespade.com/hampton-road-colette/WKRU1985,en_US,pd.html?dwvar_WKRU1985_color=375&cgid=ks-sale-handbags-wallets#start=56&cgid=ks-sale-handbags-wallets

 

raissyrais

Jells2dot0 said:

I buy almost all of my purses here:

http://www.modalu.com/

 

They have a few items in bright blue or yellow. They ship from the UK for about 15 pounds and you may have to pay customs on it as well.

This is where I buy some of my purses too.I love the Kate Spade Saturday. If you are willing to go a bit higher, the Louis Vuitton Speedy is $750. I bought mine a few years back, not sure if the price has changed. Also Monserrat de Lucca has some very nice leather goods for $500 and under. Chloe and Elizabeth and James are good for those too.

levioosa

My coworker has this purse, and I have major purse envy for it.  

http://www.michaelkors.com/hamilton-large-saffiano-leather-tote/_/R-US_30S2GHMT3L?No=4&color=0001

I also like this one (it comes in brown that I would like, too)

http://www.michaelkors.com/jet-set-travel-medium-saffiano-leather-tote/_/R-US_30S3GTVT6L?No=11&color=0001

I just saw this one in red and kind of like it too

http://www.michaelkors.com/jet-set-top-zip-saffiano-leather-tote/_/R-US_30F2GTTT8L?No=15&color=0600

I really like MK.  I probably would stay away from Coach.  Their quality has really decreased in the last few years.  Kate Spade could also be nice, and Cole Haan is also good quality.  

Jells2dot0

raissyrais said:

Jells2dot0 said:

I buy almost all of my purses here:

http://www.modalu.com/

 

They have a few items in bright blue or yellow. They ship from the UK for about 15 pounds and you may have to pay customs on it as well.

This is where I buy some of my purses too.I love the Kate Spade Saturday. If you are willing to go a bit higher, the Louis Vuitton Speedy is $750. I bought mine a few years back, not sure if the price has changed. Also Monserrat de Lucca has some very nice leather goods for $500 and under. Chloe and Elizabeth and James are good for those too.

I hadn't looked on the Modalu website for awhile, but guess who just added to their Xmas list? LOL

lovegood90

raissyrais said:

Jells2dot0 said:

I buy almost all of my purses here:

http://www.modalu.com/

 

They have a few items in bright blue or yellow. They ship from the UK for about 15 pounds and you may have to pay customs on it as well.

This is where I buy some of my purses too.I love the Kate Spade Saturday. If you are willing to go a bit higher, the Louis Vuitton Speedy is $750. I bought mine a few years back, not sure if the price has changed. Also Monserrat de Lucca has some very nice leather goods for $500 and under. Chloe and Elizabeth and James are good for those too.

You can get Chloe bags for under $500?! Tell me your secret!

theartistformerlyknownas

I'm a Michael Kors aficionado. I have one like this in cobalt blue and love it.

http://www.michaelkors.com/sutton-saffiano-leather-medium-satchel/_/R-US_30S4STVS6L?No=4&color=0519

lizz0915

Below are some great options that should meet the requirements you posted. Nordstrom is a great place to look, you can find designer bags on sale but their return policy is the best.

http://www.michaelkors.com/dillon-large-crocodile-pattern-embossed-leather-tote/_/R-US_30H4SAIT3E?No=29&color=0602

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kate-spade-new-york-cedar-street-small-reena-tote/3939680?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Rose+Water&resultback=1766&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_5_B

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/see-by-chloe-nellie-tote/3530812?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=3754&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_11_B

peachy13

Another Kate Spade vote from me! You're a great wife!

kaos16

Have you looked at Big Buddha at all?  They have some really nice and interesting bags.  I find the quality of them to be great.  I have a mustardy yellow one that I use as a carryon when I travel, it's huge.  She could definitely put a few files in one of them.  Macys and Saks often have good deals on them too. 

AzAnnie

I am a Coach girl! All leather, no signature stuff. They last for years.

southernbelle0915

I second Kate Spade and Michael Kors - not the MKMKMKMK ones. 

I'm also a Coach girl. I agree with your FI though and hate, hate, hate the purses with all the C's on it. This is what logo bags (not just coach) say to me, "JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, I AM CARRYING A (insert designer) BAG." I've gotten some plain leather Coach bags that have lasted and stayed looking good for years. Usually they'll come out with plain leather ones in bold colors for spring and summer. Not sure if those are already out, but it wouldn't surprise me. If you want to save money/get a nicer bag for your buck, see if you can find a Coach outlet near you.

amelisha

lovegood90 said:

raissyrais said:

Jells2dot0 said:

I buy almost all of my purses here:

http://www.modalu.com/

 

They have a few items in bright blue or yellow. They ship from the UK for about 15 pounds and you may have to pay customs on it as well.

This is where I buy some of my purses too.I love the Kate Spade Saturday. If you are willing to go a bit higher, the Louis Vuitton Speedy is $750. I bought mine a few years back, not sure if the price has changed. Also Monserrat de Lucca has some very nice leather goods for $500 and under. Chloe and Elizabeth and James are good for those too.

You can get Chloe bags for under $500?! Tell me your secret!


See by Chloe maybe? If not, I am also dying to know, I love Chloe!

Kauris

I like Henri Bendel, they claim to have the quality leather of Louis Vuitton at a Coach/Michael Kors price point.

ETA right now they are currently offering 20% off any purchase of $150 or more.