Where have all the leather purses gone?? (colored, medium, light)

[kayanne]

Lately, nearly all of the purses for sale in mid-price stores (JCP, Kohls, TJMaxx, DSW, etc) are fake leather. Even a couple years ago, I could easily find nice looking leather purses at many different stores for $50 or so. Not any more! Pretty much the only real leather ones are designer names (Michael Kors, Coach, etc) and cost at least $200, and usually much more.

Is there a cow shortage I didn't hear about?

[silibran]

There are plenty of leather purses in department stores like Macys. Not so much at Kohl's. I have seen leather at TJMaxx.

I beg to differ with you about finding leather purses for $50 a couple of years ago. A couple of years ago, I counted myself lucky to find one for $100. In fact the last $100 leather purse I found was purchased at TJMaxx almost four years ago.

A decent quality leather purse usually costs more than $100 now, although you can sometimes find them on sale. I paid well over $100 for my last Fossil, and I got a substantial discount. The brand The Sak can sometimes be found slightly cheaper than the norm.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...sl_1e0rz99ji_b

Also check QVC purses, selecting for leather and for lowest price first.

Good luck!

[gypsychic]

I agree that you have to pay good money to get a quality leather purse. I actually bought one online several years ago - a hand-painted artisan leather purse, probably just under $100. That purse was worth every dime, it still looks just as great as it did when I bought it - nothing raveling, fraying or coming undone. And it goes with everything.

[kayanne]

Originally Posted by silibran

There are plenty of leather purses in department stores like Macys. Not so much at Kohl's. I have seen leather at TJMaxx.

I beg to differ with you about finding leather purses for $50 a couple of years ago. A couple of years ago, I counted myself lucky to find one for $100. In fact the last $100 leather purse I found was purchased at TJMaxx almost four years ago.

A decent quality leather purse usually costs more than $100 now, although you can sometimes find them on sale. I paid well over $100 for my last Fossil, and I got a substantial discount. The brand The Sak can sometimes be found slightly cheaper than the norm.

Amazon.com: the sak handbags: Shoes

Also check QVC purses, selecting for leather and for lowest price first.

Good luck!

No, I definitely was finding purses in that price range a couple years ago. I got my favorite coral-colored purse 2 summers ago, a medium sized Tignanello (sp?) bag, at a shoe store (probably DSW or Rack Room) for $50-something, and I got one from Macy's online on Black Friday for $20!!

I understand that prices of everything go up, but purse prices seem to have skyrocketed. I did buy two fairly small leather handbags clearanced for $130-140 recently, which was the best I could find after a few months of looking. I'm still trying to find a new mid-size structured purse, but the ones I've liked are in the $350-400 range. I'm not that desperate yet, so I'll just keep looking.

[Ohiogirl81]

I always have good luck at Wilson's. Some people look down their noses at that store, but I've never gone in there and not found something suitable.

[arleigh]

I some times find old leather purses at thrift stores , I use the leather for making other things.
Just recently the crafts stores started carrying leather so that's my source for now ,but it surprizes me that people aren't making things like that for them self .
Being your own work, it would have greater value.
Plus making it your self , you can make modifications to suit your self, as life changes.