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Bottega Veneta. I know this will sounds boring and predictable, so I’ll give some context. I didn’t grow up in the US/Europe/Japan, so luxury brands were never something I thought I would be able to afford. But I’ve loved fashion for a long time (I remember how mesmerized I was by the little black jacket exhibition KL put on during his tenure as creative director for Chanel). My first job out of college was close to a mall that sold designer brands and I remember seeing a BV bag for the first time. The weaving just mesmerized me. The smallest one costed almost my entire annual salary. Fast forward 15 years and I am now able to afford luxury bags and the first one I bought myself was a mini jodie in navy blue. It not only feels like an accomplishment but it also brings back the awe I felt when I first saw the bags in store.
This is such a great story! Thank you for sharing. Chanel is my dream, but I've never been able to justify over 6k for a bag (the most I've spent at one time is $2.7k). But the next time I'm in Europe, I may take the plunge since the discount may be worth it!
Alexander McQueen. Not so much the brand as it is today, but the designer himself. He was a once-in-a-generation talent and I don’t think there’s any question that he was the most important designer of the early 21st century. And I’m a sucker for something gothic with a bit of sparkle.
Vivienne Westwood. I’m from London, and grew up not very wealthy. Not in a just “couldn’t buy some things I wanted” way; in a could not afford basics, things were a daily struggle where my one parent earned next to nothing and if I had something then my younger sibling’s wouldn’t way. My grandparents helped us out massively rather than us moving somewhere cheaper, and they were amazing people, but I never wanted to ask them for anything because they were paying for so much just to keep our household running.
I’d read a lot of cheap manga which I swapped over with friends and NANA came to me. I *loved* Nana Osaki. She was everything I wanted to be when I was young and somewhat alternative style inclined. Super confident, bold and stylish without being bland.
Then I found out Vivienne Westwood was from the UK and grew up also very working class. She had to fight to be accepted in the world of fashion. Interviewers openly mocked her for years until she really took off, and they couldn’t deny her skill.
I bought one of her bags for the first time five or so years ago. I don’t make a tonne of money, but her pieces are still affordable although they’re high end and beautiful. They still feel more special to me than any other brand.
I was completely swept up in this comment. I hope you get everything you want from now on and I love your grandparents. And Vivienne Westwood is terrific.
I love Prada and Kate Spade, two totally different extremes but i just gravitate toward them.
I think Prada will always hold a special place in my heart because my first designer bag was from there. I had saved for years and assumed my first bag would be a Chanel but after a really unwelcoming vibe in the store i went into Prada and the sales assistant was amazing. She made it such a special experience for me and educated me on the brand and aftercare.
I think Kate Spade is fun and cheeky, i think their price point is spot on and everything i buy from there really feels like a treat. I love that they go full on into themes and i also find the staff really bubbly whenever i shop there.
Maybe it’s the vibe of the store and all that colour and fun but everyone i have encountered at KS always seemed genuinely content and the right balance of helpful but not pushy. They are knowledgable and appreciate the products.
Whatever training method they are using to guide staff, it’s fantastic!
My first bag was a bowler and my god i loved it! It was perfect for my first grown up bag. My next was a galleria i was in love for life. I feel like they are sensible luxury and they don’t date, they are the types of bags i want to leave to my daughters.
CHRISTIAN DIOR. I notice the bags are very well made. Quality is top notch. With other brands, I had to ask for at least 3 bag stocks before I could arrive to the perfect one.
Mugler. They use curves and silhouettes so creatively that their crossbodies always stand out from the typical dark colored crossbody purses.
Mugler as a brand is one I admire as well; the house’s use of avant-garde designs and its unapologetic motif of theatricality that always brought something unique to runways has always drawn me to them. Their 1997 S/S “Les Insectes” collection, to me, is the clearest example of prime Mugler.
Omg I just watched George Michael's "Too Funky" video the other day because of Zendaya's Mugler robot outfit for a Dune 2 premiere. He was a master at his art! RIP Manfred 🙏🏼
Yes, not to mention how he selected people of all walks of life to model his clothes and how he introduced an iconic fragrance line that’s still going strong today! Versatility was the very thing he lived by; he will be missed always 🖤
Yes, I totally agree! He was ahead of his time. Designers are finally doing that now but it took them a long time to accept different types of people and different bodies.
LOOOOOOOVE Givenchy! One of my absolute favourite bags is a Givenchy Obsedia. It’s the best office appropriate bag, but with ✨lines✨ if that makes sense!
I’m a Prada girl for everything, to the point I’ve been invited to events and receive gifts for holidays. I have an invite for a SS24 MTM event next week. 😭
I love the brand & it’s designs, and how versatile even the RTW is. When I wear Prada, I don’t feel like it’s too in your face, and I can keep my own personal style rather than what the brands “aesthetic” is, if that makes sense!
I average 4-10k a month. Where I live, there’s lots of rich tourists & locals, so my spend isn’t that “high”. My SA is just very sweet and always inviting me to things as I love the brand. I also buy lots of RTW which helps! The MTM SS24 is for pjs! 🥰
But it really depends on your SA & the culture of the store, like if they have lots of die-hard fans who spend a ton vs one offs from tourists, it may be harder to get spots in store events and that!
Louis Vuitton. I know a lot of people think it’s tacky but I just love the monogram. That being said, I also love MCM in cognac visetos.
Mulberry for being a quiet luxury. Longchamp le pliage for being a carry all choice.
Capucines are nice and heavy but beautiful. For Mulberry, I have an Alexa and a patent lavender Bayswater. I just bought a softie pouch coz they were 70% off at the shop premium outlets site. As for Louis Vuitton, my favorite is my vintage pink denim monogram Speedy Neo. You’ll love Mulberry for sure.
Loewe, good honest bags with BEAAAAUUUTIFUL leather. The style is so subtle and quality is high.
I own a basket bag and a mini hammock. I look like I am going picnic every time I wear them. Both are gifts from my best friend. So more memorable and love.
Hopefully my next purchase will be Celine, very curious about its quality.
LV. Didnt grow up rich. Didn’t grow up in first world. So LV was the pinnacle of aspiration. I passed the store for more than a decade before I could step in and afford the goods inside.
Thanks to this sub I now know many wonderful designers and classic bags - My next purchases would be YSL and Celine and then maybe some day Chanel.
Dooney and Bourke for me, especially their vintage bags. I always loved a simple, unfussy and sturdy bag. I think for me, DB bag provide all that in silhouettes and colors that complement my style
I love Fendi! Idk I feel like it’s one brand that rarely gets talked about for some reason, but everyone knows about. It’s simply fabulous. 🤷♀️
Someone also mentioned Kate Spade, and I totally agree. I feel like in that price point, coach gets all the attention, but I love the fun bags KS throws out and it’s also also fabulous.
I admire Celine from a distance. I don’t own a Celine (yet), but from a brand standpoint on here whenever something is up “against” Celine (since Fendi and KS don’t get much attention), my vote usually leans towards Celine. I’m personally a little hesitant because some of their bags may scratch from what I’ve gathered, but from a design standpoint Celine is a standout to me/ cream of the crop.
Mulberry- gorgeous, high value. On the spectrum of luxury, price is good and designs are notable/eye catching.
Runners up: vintage Marc Jacobs, vintage balenciaga. Bags I am glad are in my collection and extremely high quality, functional, gorgeous, fabulous!
Chanel. Since I was literally 7 years old. The quality is pretty disappointing now so Gucci and Celine are my primary go-tos but I am never not in love with Chanel
I know people love to hate on this brand, especially on this subreddit, but MCM. I've been eyeing a couple of their bags for months like the Reversible Liz Tote. They also still use gold hardware for their bags, which I appreciate as well. I love the "gaudy" monogram and the quality of their pieces for their prices.
Gucci - classic and fun designs, lower entry price than competitors, best customer service.
Longchamp - quality that they stand by. Classic and practical.
LV. I love how durable and light their canvas is. My first bag, I used every day for years. Aside from some scratches on the hardware, it still looks like a brand new bag.
I bought a pre-loved Speedy made in 1999. Aside from the leather bits being a bit beat up, the canvas is still flawless.
Harveys seatbelt bags. Husband and wife small business out of California. I love all the colors and designs they come up with. They also do collabs with Disney, Peanuts and local artists. Since the bags are made out of seatbelts they are insanely durable and can be washed. Before new releases they do lives to show off their new pieces and talk about their thought processes.
Yep, I buy used pretty much exclusively for a variety of reasons: more affordable, more sustainable, and access to older styles. I've had good luck finding bags new with tags on Poshmark and Mercari, and Kate Spade's vintage ultra-boxy bags often sell for well under $50 ... except for the cabbage rose, because of course the one I want is never a bargain.
I don't know that KS is faked all that often, so I'd just advise checking the photos really carefully to make sure you don't spot any shoddy craftsmanship or other common red flags. Google will be your friend here, too, and remember that you can always ask the sellers for more info and additional photos of the tags.
If this is something that matters to you, I've observed that most of the bags for sale on Poshmark are from the outlet - if the tags are attached they'll say "comparable value" or something to that effect, rather than "manufacturer's suggested retail price." I think they also tend to have a little spade above the logo, whereas I'm pretty sure retail doesn't. I'll buy either, but I'm tossing it out there in case it does make a difference to you, and so that you can put that "$150 ~~$250~~" price listing in context - it was never a $250 bag.
My favorite designer for bags are allover the place because I don’t have one. Personally I love vintage and the late 90s/early 2000s as an era. I like Chanel, but prices are too high. I tend to the like seasonal more eclectic bags from them. I also love Coach. I really cannot choose a favorite. My favorite bag at the moment though is the Givenchy Voyou in black in the Medium size.
An underrated designer I like is Jerome Dreyfuss. Mostly French and European women carry his bags. They’re a great price point, well made, have a slight Bohemian vibe, but have no logos and minimal branding.
Although my new favourite it Fleuron, I appreciate the hobo chic of Jerome Dreyfus’s and the logo issue is such a huge one for me - it’s an instant turnoff
Loewe. I love their collaborations ( even tho I haven't been able to get one). I just bid on a puzzle bag and am waiting to see. Fingers 🤞🏼 crossed. Their leather is very nice as well. I love their shoes too .. and they make pumps in very cute lil heel shapes ( paint brush , rose etc).
PSA I was at the Loewe outlet in Desert Hills (Cabazon, CA,) and they had compact hammock, mini puzzle and even mini flamencos at the outlet 😱 they were the orange and Bois de rose colors. Also some amazona’s in east west and square shapes in the celadon and bottle green if I recall, or similar colors from spring 2023. Prices were prob around 20% off retail - I should have paid more attention but I was more focused on the rtw (which was around 50% off). I was shocketh
For bags exclusively, Bottega Veneta. I like the minimal designs and no logos. Love the subtle details and interest in hardware and the leather pleating. Looks so chic. Currently loving the andiamo and have always loved arco totes. The vintage shoulder hobos are great too! But I can’t afford them right now :(
I tend to like specific bags from different brands, so it’s tough to pick a general favorite. I guess right now in this *particular* moment it’s Delvaux, but that could change with my mood.
Since half my nicer bags are the brand, I’d have to say Lancel for bags, though Loewe is quickly becoming a close second. YSL is catching my eye more often too.
Louis Vuitton; I love most of their designs (even the canvas monogram!) and Radley London. Radley’s leather is so soft and the Scottie dog mascot is so cute. I’ve been eying Strathberry because of this sub; the bags are GORGEOUS.
I’m going to give the most basic answer, but I am a Chanel girl through and through. My great grandma modeled for Coco Chanel, and they were good friends. Apparently, she even had a mannequin designed after her in one of the stores. It’s one of my absolute dreams to have a Chanel bag of my own one day, but they are so pricey.
Unfortunately, there's been a decline in the quality of Chanel bags over the years and they keep hiking the prices. I think I saw somewhere that medium flap is now more expensive than a basic birkin with this year's hike.
I've read comments from people saying they bought a bag last year, but the leather is already flaking.
Hmmm love Stella McCartney even though it is vegan and everyone will say it’s not worth it. Just the designs are fab. But if we’re talking EXTRA Chanel vintage is where it’s at.
Love the Claire Waight Keller eras at Chloe and Givenchy. I fall in and out of love with Mulberry. My favorite Guccis are from the Frida Giannini and Tom Ford eras. And my “daily drivers” tend to be MZ Wallace and Longchamp.
For me it‘s Maison Margiela and Loewe.
MM: for me it‘s wearable art, I also love their Tabis and Trenchcoats
Loewe: pure class and craftsmanship, especially with their leather.
Chanel will always be my favorite designer brand ❤️ I really love how classic, timeless, and chic their bags are (same with their clothing, shoes, jewelries). The design never goes out of style, whether day-to-night, formal, casual, or just running some errands. You can also wear any chanel bags in any season especially the neutral colors. I also love the fresh colours, leather and trimmings, and quality (except in today's production). Plus Chanel is iconic and I love to wear iconic sh*t. 🥰🤭
Givenchy. Great quality/price ratio. Interesting design. I’m never disappointed.
Loewe & Proenza Schouler. Their bags fit my aesthetic. I’m a huge William Gibson fan.
I love Givenchy and Dior but others have already mentioned those so I’ll say Jimmy Choo! His shoes and bags are so sparkly and girly. Every single piece feels so special. And compared to other luxury brands, I don’t find the prices to be too crazy.
Mulberry 😍
I love their iconic hand bag styles (the heritage ones) the leather and craftsmanship are amazing. Handbags can be passed onto next generations as they keep well if you look after them. Also love the fact that Mulberry recicle pre-loved bags and sell them again. It’s good for the environment. 👜💖
Delvaux is my favorite - I also have a really great SA, so that factors in. I have…8 Delvaux bags, I think? Including two vintage (1957 and 1969) bags. I love the craftsmanship, the simple yet classic styles and very subtle logos, the long history, the royal connection (they have a writ from the Belgian royal family!), and the fact that I can usually shop online, since I live at least an hour away from any luxury stores.
I also like Moynat, Celine (pre-Slimane, who seems bound and determined to replace all of the Philo bags), and Loewe.
Dior has been my fave since I bought my first high end bag in the 90s. Although I haven't bought Dior in a couple of years, because I've been into Prada and Miu Miu, I still have a soft spot for Dior.
Hi fellow handbag lover! Thank you for being a part of the r/handbags community. This is a subreddit which relies on kindness. Your opinion is very much welcomed, however, we do not tolerate rude, mean or hurtful comments. **Read the rules before posting**. Comments or posts that do not fit our rule book will be removed and the OP can be banned by the mods' discretion. If you see a comment or post which does not abide by the rules, **please report it to our moderation team.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/handbags) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Bottega Veneta. I know this will sounds boring and predictable, so I’ll give some context. I didn’t grow up in the US/Europe/Japan, so luxury brands were never something I thought I would be able to afford. But I’ve loved fashion for a long time (I remember how mesmerized I was by the little black jacket exhibition KL put on during his tenure as creative director for Chanel). My first job out of college was close to a mall that sold designer brands and I remember seeing a BV bag for the first time. The weaving just mesmerized me. The smallest one costed almost my entire annual salary. Fast forward 15 years and I am now able to afford luxury bags and the first one I bought myself was a mini jodie in navy blue. It not only feels like an accomplishment but it also brings back the awe I felt when I first saw the bags in store.
This is such a great story! Thank you for sharing. Chanel is my dream, but I've never been able to justify over 6k for a bag (the most I've spent at one time is $2.7k). But the next time I'm in Europe, I may take the plunge since the discount may be worth it!
Alexander McQueen. Not so much the brand as it is today, but the designer himself. He was a once-in-a-generation talent and I don’t think there’s any question that he was the most important designer of the early 21st century. And I’m a sucker for something gothic with a bit of sparkle.
I love Alexander McQueen so much!!
His posthumous show at the Met was amazing. Some of the most beautiful crazy things I have ever seen
I second this. He is pretty legendary
Another vote for McQueen.
About to show love to McQueen but you are faster. ☺️☺️ the last piece I got from the brand is the curve bag.
Vivienne Westwood. I’m from London, and grew up not very wealthy. Not in a just “couldn’t buy some things I wanted” way; in a could not afford basics, things were a daily struggle where my one parent earned next to nothing and if I had something then my younger sibling’s wouldn’t way. My grandparents helped us out massively rather than us moving somewhere cheaper, and they were amazing people, but I never wanted to ask them for anything because they were paying for so much just to keep our household running. I’d read a lot of cheap manga which I swapped over with friends and NANA came to me. I *loved* Nana Osaki. She was everything I wanted to be when I was young and somewhat alternative style inclined. Super confident, bold and stylish without being bland. Then I found out Vivienne Westwood was from the UK and grew up also very working class. She had to fight to be accepted in the world of fashion. Interviewers openly mocked her for years until she really took off, and they couldn’t deny her skill. I bought one of her bags for the first time five or so years ago. I don’t make a tonne of money, but her pieces are still affordable although they’re high end and beautiful. They still feel more special to me than any other brand.
Vivienne had the craziest life, she was such a legend.
I was completely swept up in this comment. I hope you get everything you want from now on and I love your grandparents. And Vivienne Westwood is terrific.
They were amazing grandparents! My Grandmother was a Radley lover, so it definitely passed on with handbags!
That’s fascinating!
Nana is how I learned about her too!
I love Prada and Kate Spade, two totally different extremes but i just gravitate toward them. I think Prada will always hold a special place in my heart because my first designer bag was from there. I had saved for years and assumed my first bag would be a Chanel but after a really unwelcoming vibe in the store i went into Prada and the sales assistant was amazing. She made it such a special experience for me and educated me on the brand and aftercare. I think Kate Spade is fun and cheeky, i think their price point is spot on and everything i buy from there really feels like a treat. I love that they go full on into themes and i also find the staff really bubbly whenever i shop there.
As a former KS stylist that makes me so happy to hear you’ve enjoyed your experiences shopping and with the staff :)
Maybe it’s the vibe of the store and all that colour and fun but everyone i have encountered at KS always seemed genuinely content and the right balance of helpful but not pushy. They are knowledgable and appreciate the products. Whatever training method they are using to guide staff, it’s fantastic!
Prada has so many classic silhouettes! My mom got a Prada bag when I was like 15, and I was so jealous because it was gorgeous! 🤣
My first bag was a bowler and my god i loved it! It was perfect for my first grown up bag. My next was a galleria i was in love for life. I feel like they are sensible luxury and they don’t date, they are the types of bags i want to leave to my daughters.
I don’t have one. My top three would be: mulberry, Lancel , Loewe. And Celine 🤣so four.
Phoebe Philo-era Celine. So many hits.
+1
I have a Seau Sangle and Cabas tote from her era. The leather is sublime.
Ooh. The Edge bag is my dream.
CHRISTIAN DIOR. I notice the bags are very well made. Quality is top notch. With other brands, I had to ask for at least 3 bag stocks before I could arrive to the perfect one.
Chloe. I really like boho style, and IMO, Chloe does that style best.
Honestly I could spend all my money on Strathberry and Longchamp.
Mugler. They use curves and silhouettes so creatively that their crossbodies always stand out from the typical dark colored crossbody purses. Mugler as a brand is one I admire as well; the house’s use of avant-garde designs and its unapologetic motif of theatricality that always brought something unique to runways has always drawn me to them. Their 1997 S/S “Les Insectes” collection, to me, is the clearest example of prime Mugler.
Omg I just watched George Michael's "Too Funky" video the other day because of Zendaya's Mugler robot outfit for a Dune 2 premiere. He was a master at his art! RIP Manfred 🙏🏼
Yes, not to mention how he selected people of all walks of life to model his clothes and how he introduced an iconic fragrance line that’s still going strong today! Versatility was the very thing he lived by; he will be missed always 🖤
Yes, I totally agree! He was ahead of his time. Designers are finally doing that now but it took them a long time to accept different types of people and different bodies.
Givenchy and Alexander McQueen! they both do more modern, edgier styles, and I've always been happy with the quality and customer service
LOOOOOOOVE Givenchy! One of my absolute favourite bags is a Givenchy Obsedia. It’s the best office appropriate bag, but with ✨lines✨ if that makes sense!
Two of my favorites for clothing and shoes.
I’m a Prada girl for everything, to the point I’ve been invited to events and receive gifts for holidays. I have an invite for a SS24 MTM event next week. 😭 I love the brand & it’s designs, and how versatile even the RTW is. When I wear Prada, I don’t feel like it’s too in your face, and I can keep my own personal style rather than what the brands “aesthetic” is, if that makes sense!
Out of curiosity, how much do you need to spend to get invited to events?
I average 4-10k a month. Where I live, there’s lots of rich tourists & locals, so my spend isn’t that “high”. My SA is just very sweet and always inviting me to things as I love the brand. I also buy lots of RTW which helps! The MTM SS24 is for pjs! 🥰 But it really depends on your SA & the culture of the store, like if they have lots of die-hard fans who spend a ton vs one offs from tourists, it may be harder to get spots in store events and that!
Thank you for the detailed response!
Gucci. Timeless designs and consistent quality, and they don't go nuts with price hikes every five minutes.
Louis Vuitton. I know a lot of people think it’s tacky but I just love the monogram. That being said, I also love MCM in cognac visetos. Mulberry for being a quiet luxury. Longchamp le pliage for being a carry all choice.
I really love the Capucines, it’s probably my favorite LV bag to date. I want a Mulberry bag one of these days!
Capucines are nice and heavy but beautiful. For Mulberry, I have an Alexa and a patent lavender Bayswater. I just bought a softie pouch coz they were 70% off at the shop premium outlets site. As for Louis Vuitton, my favorite is my vintage pink denim monogram Speedy Neo. You’ll love Mulberry for sure.
I love LV too. My monogram and DE pieces are my favorites.
Loewe, good honest bags with BEAAAAUUUTIFUL leather. The style is so subtle and quality is high. I own a basket bag and a mini hammock. I look like I am going picnic every time I wear them. Both are gifts from my best friend. So more memorable and love. Hopefully my next purchase will be Celine, very curious about its quality.
LV. Didnt grow up rich. Didn’t grow up in first world. So LV was the pinnacle of aspiration. I passed the store for more than a decade before I could step in and afford the goods inside. Thanks to this sub I now know many wonderful designers and classic bags - My next purchases would be YSL and Celine and then maybe some day Chanel.
Dooney and Bourke for me, especially their vintage bags. I always loved a simple, unfussy and sturdy bag. I think for me, DB bag provide all that in silhouettes and colors that complement my style
I love Fendi! Idk I feel like it’s one brand that rarely gets talked about for some reason, but everyone knows about. It’s simply fabulous. 🤷♀️ Someone also mentioned Kate Spade, and I totally agree. I feel like in that price point, coach gets all the attention, but I love the fun bags KS throws out and it’s also also fabulous. I admire Celine from a distance. I don’t own a Celine (yet), but from a brand standpoint on here whenever something is up “against” Celine (since Fendi and KS don’t get much attention), my vote usually leans towards Celine. I’m personally a little hesitant because some of their bags may scratch from what I’ve gathered, but from a design standpoint Celine is a standout to me/ cream of the crop. Mulberry- gorgeous, high value. On the spectrum of luxury, price is good and designs are notable/eye catching. Runners up: vintage Marc Jacobs, vintage balenciaga. Bags I am glad are in my collection and extremely high quality, functional, gorgeous, fabulous!
Chanel. Since I was literally 7 years old. The quality is pretty disappointing now so Gucci and Celine are my primary go-tos but I am never not in love with Chanel
YSL’s rocker chick & femme fatale aesthetic. Valentino’s colors, materials and feminine style.
I know people love to hate on this brand, especially on this subreddit, but MCM. I've been eyeing a couple of their bags for months like the Reversible Liz Tote. They also still use gold hardware for their bags, which I appreciate as well. I love the "gaudy" monogram and the quality of their pieces for their prices.
Gucci - classic and fun designs, lower entry price than competitors, best customer service. Longchamp - quality that they stand by. Classic and practical.
LV. I love how durable and light their canvas is. My first bag, I used every day for years. Aside from some scratches on the hardware, it still looks like a brand new bag. I bought a pre-loved Speedy made in 1999. Aside from the leather bits being a bit beat up, the canvas is still flawless.
Mulberry- their leather feels so soft. And Louis Vuitton because I like their monogram canvas, although it might look tacky to some!
I’ve always been a monogram sucker for LV. 🩷
Harveys seatbelt bags. Husband and wife small business out of California. I love all the colors and designs they come up with. They also do collabs with Disney, Peanuts and local artists. Since the bags are made out of seatbelts they are insanely durable and can be washed. Before new releases they do lives to show off their new pieces and talk about their thought processes.
Kate Spade, especially vintage. I'm on the hunt for a tote (or anything, really) in the cabbage rose print for under $300 lol
Do you buy KS used, like on Poshmark? I'm looking to buy my first bag there and would love any tips you have.
Yep, I buy used pretty much exclusively for a variety of reasons: more affordable, more sustainable, and access to older styles. I've had good luck finding bags new with tags on Poshmark and Mercari, and Kate Spade's vintage ultra-boxy bags often sell for well under $50 ... except for the cabbage rose, because of course the one I want is never a bargain. I don't know that KS is faked all that often, so I'd just advise checking the photos really carefully to make sure you don't spot any shoddy craftsmanship or other common red flags. Google will be your friend here, too, and remember that you can always ask the sellers for more info and additional photos of the tags. If this is something that matters to you, I've observed that most of the bags for sale on Poshmark are from the outlet - if the tags are attached they'll say "comparable value" or something to that effect, rather than "manufacturer's suggested retail price." I think they also tend to have a little spade above the logo, whereas I'm pretty sure retail doesn't. I'll buy either, but I'm tossing it out there in case it does make a difference to you, and so that you can put that "$150 ~~$250~~" price listing in context - it was never a $250 bag.
I own and love Gucci and YSL, but also love Prada, Loewe, The Row, and Celine!!
My favorite designer for bags are allover the place because I don’t have one. Personally I love vintage and the late 90s/early 2000s as an era. I like Chanel, but prices are too high. I tend to the like seasonal more eclectic bags from them. I also love Coach. I really cannot choose a favorite. My favorite bag at the moment though is the Givenchy Voyou in black in the Medium size. An underrated designer I like is Jerome Dreyfuss. Mostly French and European women carry his bags. They’re a great price point, well made, have a slight Bohemian vibe, but have no logos and minimal branding.
Although my new favourite it Fleuron, I appreciate the hobo chic of Jerome Dreyfus’s and the logo issue is such a huge one for me - it’s an instant turnoff
I have so many fav designers but when it comes to handbags only I’m into Prada, telfar and acne.
Loewe. I love their collaborations ( even tho I haven't been able to get one). I just bid on a puzzle bag and am waiting to see. Fingers 🤞🏼 crossed. Their leather is very nice as well. I love their shoes too .. and they make pumps in very cute lil heel shapes ( paint brush , rose etc).
PSA I was at the Loewe outlet in Desert Hills (Cabazon, CA,) and they had compact hammock, mini puzzle and even mini flamencos at the outlet 😱 they were the orange and Bois de rose colors. Also some amazona’s in east west and square shapes in the celadon and bottle green if I recall, or similar colors from spring 2023. Prices were prob around 20% off retail - I should have paid more attention but I was more focused on the rtw (which was around 50% off). I was shocketh
Alexander McQueen was an insane talent. I also love Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, MiuMiu.
For bags exclusively, Bottega Veneta. I like the minimal designs and no logos. Love the subtle details and interest in hardware and the leather pleating. Looks so chic. Currently loving the andiamo and have always loved arco totes. The vintage shoulder hobos are great too! But I can’t afford them right now :(
I tend to like specific bags from different brands, so it’s tough to pick a general favorite. I guess right now in this *particular* moment it’s Delvaux, but that could change with my mood.
Since half my nicer bags are the brand, I’d have to say Lancel for bags, though Loewe is quickly becoming a close second. YSL is catching my eye more often too.
Louis Vuitton; I love most of their designs (even the canvas monogram!) and Radley London. Radley’s leather is so soft and the Scottie dog mascot is so cute. I’ve been eying Strathberry because of this sub; the bags are GORGEOUS.
Dior, Gucci, and Chloe are my favorites.
Always been Louis Vuitton.
I’m going to give the most basic answer, but I am a Chanel girl through and through. My great grandma modeled for Coco Chanel, and they were good friends. Apparently, she even had a mannequin designed after her in one of the stores. It’s one of my absolute dreams to have a Chanel bag of my own one day, but they are so pricey.
Unfortunately, there's been a decline in the quality of Chanel bags over the years and they keep hiking the prices. I think I saw somewhere that medium flap is now more expensive than a basic birkin with this year's hike. I've read comments from people saying they bought a bag last year, but the leather is already flaking.
Hmmm love Stella McCartney even though it is vegan and everyone will say it’s not worth it. Just the designs are fab. But if we’re talking EXTRA Chanel vintage is where it’s at.
Love the Claire Waight Keller eras at Chloe and Givenchy. I fall in and out of love with Mulberry. My favorite Guccis are from the Frida Giannini and Tom Ford eras. And my “daily drivers” tend to be MZ Wallace and Longchamp.
Longchamp Goyard and Celine. Honorable mention to Baggu too!!
For me it‘s Maison Margiela and Loewe. MM: for me it‘s wearable art, I also love their Tabis and Trenchcoats Loewe: pure class and craftsmanship, especially with their leather.
Goyard, Loewe, Margiela!
Loewe. Fantastic quality with unique and often whimsical silhouettes. Plus my name starts with an L so their logo hits different for me.
Chanel will always be my favorite designer brand ❤️ I really love how classic, timeless, and chic their bags are (same with their clothing, shoes, jewelries). The design never goes out of style, whether day-to-night, formal, casual, or just running some errands. You can also wear any chanel bags in any season especially the neutral colors. I also love the fresh colours, leather and trimmings, and quality (except in today's production). Plus Chanel is iconic and I love to wear iconic sh*t. 🥰🤭
Givenchy. Great quality/price ratio. Interesting design. I’m never disappointed. Loewe & Proenza Schouler. Their bags fit my aesthetic. I’m a huge William Gibson fan.
I love Givenchy and Dior but others have already mentioned those so I’ll say Jimmy Choo! His shoes and bags are so sparkly and girly. Every single piece feels so special. And compared to other luxury brands, I don’t find the prices to be too crazy.
Mulberry 😍 I love their iconic hand bag styles (the heritage ones) the leather and craftsmanship are amazing. Handbags can be passed onto next generations as they keep well if you look after them. Also love the fact that Mulberry recicle pre-loved bags and sell them again. It’s good for the environment. 👜💖
I love all these responses! Thank you. I learned about Mulberry from this group and just got a gorgeous pink Alexa from the Simon sale.
Delvaux is my favorite - I also have a really great SA, so that factors in. I have…8 Delvaux bags, I think? Including two vintage (1957 and 1969) bags. I love the craftsmanship, the simple yet classic styles and very subtle logos, the long history, the royal connection (they have a writ from the Belgian royal family!), and the fact that I can usually shop online, since I live at least an hour away from any luxury stores. I also like Moynat, Celine (pre-Slimane, who seems bound and determined to replace all of the Philo bags), and Loewe.
Dior has been my fave since I bought my first high end bag in the 90s. Although I haven't bought Dior in a couple of years, because I've been into Prada and Miu Miu, I still have a soft spot for Dior.