Designer Handbags You Love, That Everyone and their Mother Doesn't Have (Gucci, brand)

[LittleMissSunshine]

I will be the first to admit that I am a BAG lady.

I love bags and I have a ton. I have way more Coach than anyone should (started when I was 19 and just kept going) and a few Fendi, LV and other recognizable brands.

But the older I get, I am starting to get sick of A) so many people having the same bag as me and B) seeing so many disgusting knock offs floating around. So I am starting to branch out to other less logo-obsessed and less faked designers as well to just change up my collection a bit.

Any of you ladies admire or buy bags of other designers outside the typical Gucci, Coach, Louie, etc.? Would love to hear about everyone's taste and maybe learn about some new brands.

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My most recent handbag purchase was a Rebecca Minkoff. I LOVE her bags now and can't wait to get my hands on another. Would really recommend her if you like soft, smooshy leather.

I have also been admiring TANO brand handbags lately, and would love to add one of those to my collection soon.

I adore Balenciaga and all the wonderful colors, but I totally can't afford one!

[andthentherewere3]

I am a Dooney & Bourke bag lady. I bought two on eBay the past month in anticipation of spring. One of the bags is ivory, and is "soft and smooshy leather", it is just gorgeous. It's a solid color in a big, slouch style, simple, and doesn't look like every other bag out there.

I know what you mean about Coach, it seems like everyone has Coach bags. Brighton is also pretty popular here, but I haven't bought any of their bags, just some jewelry, and I have my eye on their sunglasses.

[ivanabacowboy]

I personally am not into the highly over-initialized designers like LV, Gucci and the like. I like leather bags rather than fabric.

My sister got a gorgeous Isabelle Fiore (sp?) satchel at one of the Nordstrom or Neiman outlets. I had my eye on a few at Ferragamo (not cheap tho...).

My personal all-time favorite bags in the not insanely priced range (say under $400), not highly over-initialed/logo'd categories are:

1) Via Spiga. I have a leather and stud version I think of a "motorcycle" type bag. This bag is awesome! I love everything about it, the shape, the color, the style, the leather. This is my "kick around" bag. And the more it gets worn and kicked around, the better it looks. Sort of like your favorite pair of old shoes.

2) Cole Haan. They make some quality bags.

3) Brighton. I love their organizer bags. I love these things! It still looks brand new like the day I got it. And best part is under $200...

4) Dooney. I love my Dooney All-Weather Leather Dome Satchel. The bag has nary a mark or anything on it and has been well used. The bummer is they discontinued the AWL line last year or the year before.... I find all of Dooney's fabric patterns and logo bags to be exceptionally ugly and poor quality in my taste. Like what were they thinking putting candy and popsicles on a bag lol!

5) Frye. Yes, the folks that make boots do make handbags. Quality real leather bags that will last forever.

6) Brahmin.

[sierraAZ]

I love the two Marino Orlandi bags I have. He's an Italian designer - Pelletteria Marino Orlandi - Products. Got them from TJ Maxx. Excellent quality, classic and timeless look. I haven't seen them anywhere else in town, but I wouldn't buy them at full price anyway.

I guess he's not totally unheard of in this country: marino orlandi handbag?? - The Purse Forum

This whole blog may be useful for purse addicts.

Here's a distributor: - Evelana Boutique, Marino Orlandi Official Distributor, New Designer Fasion Shearling Fur and Silver Fox Coats and Car Jackets

Apparently can be found on eBay, too, but I generally don't do eBay for such items.

[CTR36]

I love, love Kathy Van Zeeland bags. That's all I buy nowadays. My latest one is a patchwork type belted shopper that my DH got me for Christmas. I get compliments all the time.

[Michelle1210]

I love the red one, even my husband said it was nice, marino orlandi, Idont see any one walking around with that bag,
I do have to agree I hate seeing coach. makes me want to run the other way

[kaykay]

I started getting into the Brighton handbangs when my husband bought me one for my birthday.

[cathyde]

It's funny...I just bought a Coach bag, and I went out of my way to get one that doesn't look like a Coach bag!

No big Cs all over, no big Coach name anywhere on it...just a simple white bag with chocolate brown piping.

I love Coach for its quality but, honestly, I've never paid as much for a bag as I did for this one.

I would love another bag for spring/summer, but less expensive. I'm going to look into the sites mentioned.

Any others for me to check out, that are off the beaten path?

[Kumud]

The beloved Jimmy Choo Alex.
Not everybody own the real one, as 99% of those that Ebay and others sell are REPLICAS! Beware , nobody in their right mind is going to part with a brand new, latest coleection $1000+ handbag for $300/$500... I think.

Ditto abut Coach.
My first purchase was the Scribble hobo when it came out 3 years ago.These days I only spend money on their scarves and stuff.That was once I became aware of the ghettoization of the brand .

[AnotherDayInParadise]

Right now I am a two-bag lady... I switch back and forth between a tan leather Betsy Johnson and a black cloth/green leather Kate Spade. I am itching for another, so I love this thread. I am leaning towards another Kate, but her color palate hasn't changed much. Classic, I suppose, but I think I was looking for something different.