Women's handbags

[ddohnggo]

although this is a male dominated shopping forum, i figured i'd ask here anyways. i'm looking to get my girlfriend a bag, something that is a smaller label (no louis vuitton, gucci, hermes, etc... you get the picture.) i'm not the most in tune with women's handbags so what are some good leather ones? any thoughts on jas mb, or jocasi?

thanks.

[Ockid]

go big and get balenciaga!

[Crillz]

a little while ago a smaller designer Mary Ping deconstructed famous handbags (Fendi Spy, et al) and reconstructed them using plain white canvas. i always thought it was pretty cool.

[djrajio]

Cosign on the Balenciaga. They are the "it" bag right now. My ex-gf just bought one for like 1,500+ though...

[mspark]

Ummm...didnt he say a smaller label? If he says no LV,Hermes or Gucci, why recommed Balenciaga?

[onemancult]

www.rebeccaturbow.com

little known nyc designer, makes really amazing stuff. good quality, slightly conceptual, but not overbearingly so. check out the bags in the fall 2006 collection.

[djrajio]

Ummm...didnt he say a smaller label? If he says no LV,Hermes or Gucci, why recommed Balenciaga?

Because Balenciaga is a small label compared to LV, Hermes, etc.

[Analyst]

My girlfriend just bought a Mulberry bag. Very simple made from amazing quality leather. One of those bags that you use for the next 10 years...

[mspark]

Because Balenciaga is a small label compared to LV, Hermes, etc.

I know that but i think when he asked about a smaller label he wanted to go a bit smaller in price as well.

[onemancult]

Balenciaga is not a 'small label' compared to LV and Hermes. The house of Cristobal Balenciaga has been around longer than most current big-name fashion houses.

Christian Dior called him "the master of us all". There is no conceivable way that you could call Balenciaga a small-label and be correct.

[tangerine]

Don't skimp on the pâté. Get the Balenciaga.

[keri]

black medium bag with white topstitching

cute chloe bag!

and I also thin kyou might like to check out www.revolveclothing.com, www.blurfly.com they have lots of stuff there

[djrajio]

Balenciaga is not a 'small label' compared to LV and Hermes. The house of Cristobal Balenciaga has been around longer than most current big-name fashion houses.

Christian Dior called him "the master of us all". There is no conceivable way that you could call Balenciaga a small-label and be correct.

By "small" I am referring to the fact that in terms of market saturation, number of boutiques, and total revenue brought in, LV, Hermes, Gucci rake in much more. Balenciaga is still small comparatively.

[evisu 2000]

i guess bottega would be considered big also?

i also agree with whoever it was that recommended mulberry.

[onemancult]

By "small" I am referring to the fact that in terms of market saturation, number of boutiques, and total revenue brought in, LV, Hermes, Gucci rake in much more. Balenciaga is still small comparatively.

Nowwww I get it.

[junglejane]

a great brand is also Hayden-Hartnett based in NyC, pretty unknown but really great bags. http://haydenharnett.com/ the price goes around $200-600.

Here are a few other brands that make excellent bags, style and quality wise. they may not be small labels either but you definitely see them less than you see your average LV, birkin or paddington knock off. since you don't mention a price range I give you some of the priciest (without including chloe, balenciaga or fendi)

mulberry (759e)

alexander mcqueen (850euros)

botkier (very, very cool bags) (around $690)

jean paul gaultier ($1295)

[mike lowrey]

depends on what style she likes, but for reasonably priced ones my girlfriend has a couple of Le Sportsac bags, they have some nice patterns and I atleast think their reasonably priced ones, not leather though.

http://www.lesportsac.com

my girlfriend also has an obsession with longchamp bags, I think at some point she'll probably have all the colors.. they're nice though!

[junglejane]

tod's ($1,390)

marc jacobs ($1,275)

jimmy choo ($1,850)

[Carl]

My ex swore by Kate Spade.

And i think they're a bit cheaper then most of the ones listed so far.

[mike lowrey]

junglejane, my girlfriend browsed the Hayden-Harnett site, I think you just made me broke

Longchamp:

Kate Spade:

[junglejane]

junglejane, my girlfriend browsed the Hayden-Harnett site, I think you just made me broke

lol, sorry about that.. plus i know the feeling. I wouldn't lean too far towards kate spade, they're a little too boxy and boring imo.. they are more functional than fashionable. it all depends on the gf's taste and requirements!

[Carl]

and Kate Spade, although of good quality, feels like "business" bags. Looks more appropriate on working women.

Huh...can't say i know the first thing about womens handbags.

My ex got this one...

...while we were in NYC and i think its pretty fucking sweet.

[mike lowrey]

and Kate Spade, although of good quality, feels like "business" bags. Looks more appropriate on working women.

true and same might go for longchamp, BUT then again it all depends on what you're wearing and how. but I see your point though.

[herpsky]

i like balenciaga...

[batch]

If by "smaller label" you mean "less expensive label", then I would co-sign on the Botkier and also recommend Kooba.

[ndnyc718]

timeless ...perfect hardware, perfect leathers ...

[ddohnggo]

thanks for the suggestions.

Price isn't really an issue. She just doesn't like bags with logos and she doesn't like bags that everybody else already has. The leather quality is probably what she is looking for the most.

I think she's been interested in the Hayden Harnett bags and mulberry too. What do you guys think of the Gustto Baca bag or the Bulga crescent shape tote?

http://www.revolveclothing.com/productpages/GUST-WY20.jsp

http://www.revolveclothing.com/productpages/BULG-WY37.jsp

[xcoldricex]

munoz vrandecic if she's into more avant garde-ish stuff