Are you considering getting a designer bag and don't know which one to splurge on? I think I might be able to help you with this dilemma!
Being a fashionista on a budget myself, I had to come up with a shopping-for-designer- handbags tactic. And after doing a little research, I found out that there are some timeless designer classic bags a gal truly needs since the rest of the bags are just a slight variation on these 11:
1. Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy Bag
Louis Vuitton have never been more popular than they are right now. But believe it or not, Louis Vuitton Mongram Speedy Bags have been the "it" bags for over 50 years now...
The size of the bags varies from Speedy 25 to Speedy 40 and so does the price: $675.00 - $750.00, they are available in Louis Vuitton online store, but I am sure you will prefer to buy your LV in a Louis Vuitton boutique near you.
2. Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag
Awe... Chanel 2.55 is the queen of designer handbags. It's so stylish, it's breath-taking. They are twice as expensive as Louis Vuitton Speedies and they are too so worth the crazy price. These beautiful bags come in different colors and in 3 sizes - check out the size/price chart at the bottom of Chanel 2.55 - Pure Classic post.
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3. Dior Black Quilted Patent Lady Dior Bag
Yet another stylish, timeless classic. This Dior bag looks stunning and it can be worn with anything, which makes it a fantastic choice for your designer bag collection. It comes with golden hardware as well, in case you are looking for something dressier.
For the price of $1800 you are getting one of the most fabulous bags out there. And by the way, the beautiful classic Lady Dior bag comes in white patent leather too for those hot summer days and vacations (sigh)...
4. Hermes Birkin Bag
This is the bag you have seen on the most stylish celebrities. Although this bag is definitely not my style, I can see why women want to shell out $6.000.00 - $15.000.00, depending on the material, for a bag like this.
Located in Paris, Hermes issues only 5 (!!!) Birkins a week - the waiting lists are endless, of course, and that's what makes them even more desirable.
Want to learn more about Hermes Birkin bag? Check out the history of this legendary bag at 101Suite.com.
5. Fendi Leather Spy Bag
Ah the Fendi Spy Bag. This is another hot classic that any girl would be proud to carry! It has a unique shape and design with its woven handles and leather panels. It also comes in a variety of colors and textures ranging from fur to beads. At $2,250, this bag is certainly an investment but worth every penny!
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6. Yves Saint Laurent Muse
The YSL Muse might not be as recognizable as some of these other bags, but it has a huge celebrity following. Everyone from the likes of Kim Kardashian to Heidi Klum and Jennifer Aniston have been snapped by photogs carrying this super luxe bowling bag. It comes in three sizes as well as many prints and fabrics. Coming in at a price of $1,850, it's one of the more "affordable" of the bunch.
7. Gucci Jackie Bag
This fabulous handbag was inspired by the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Gucci says that this handbag is a testament to the enduring allure of graceful sophistication. This handmade bag comes in many variations and there is also a new Jackie line that has slight changes from the original. This bag is priced from $1,345-20,400 depending on what fabric you choose.
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The Gucci Jackie Bag is a timeless classic, inspired by the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This beautiful bag is handmade and comes in a variety of styles, fabrics, and colors. The original Jackie bag is priced between $1,345 and $20,400, while the new Jackie line has slight variations and is priced similarly.
The Jackie Bag is a testament to the enduring allure of graceful sophistication. It features a structured silhouette, double top handles, and a signature gold-toned double G logo. The bag is made of high-quality leather and is lined with a soft suede interior. It also features a detachable shoulder strap, making it a versatile accessory.
The Jackie Bag is a great accessory for any occasion, from everyday use to a night out. It can be paired with a variety of outfits, from casual to formal. It is also a great investment piece, as its timeless design and high-quality materials will ensure it lasts for many years.
The Gucci Jackie Bag is a must-have for fashion-conscious women. With its classic design and timeless appeal, it is sure to be a staple in any woman's wardrobe for years to come.
8. Marc Jacobs Quilting Stam Leather Satchel
This was Marc Jacobs' first "it" bag in 2006 and has been seen on countless celebs around the globe. The purse was named after model Jessica Stam who needed a large bag for her portfolio. Aside from the fact that you can spot this bag on many celebrities, the quilted leather comes in eye-catching colors and has beautiful gold hardware to complement the many colors. The Stam is priced at $1,275.
9. Dior Saddle Bag
The Dior Saddle Bag debuted in 1999 and was created by designer John Galliano. Although this bag was designed to resemble a jockey's seat, it made a huge splash in the fashion world. While we might not see too many of these bags these days, it remains an iconic bag that has its place in designer purse history. The Saddle Bag came in numerous variations and started at $999.
10. Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch
This "it" clutch is gothic yet elegant and totally luxurious. Not only were women crazy over the chic design, the decorative clutch clasp and knuckle dusters made this purse even more desirable and inspired numerous DIY projects. Starting at $1,495, this clutch is not for the faint of heart.
11. Chloe Paraty Bag
It was a close call between the Chloe Paraty and Paddington, but the Paraty won in the end! This iconic bag is yet another celebrity favorite and made its debut in 2008. This satchel comes in small, medium and large and also comes in an assortment of fabrics. Do you remember when Reese Witherspoon got in trouble with PETA for rocking the python version? You can your own Paraty starting at $1,795.
Well, Ladies, these are the 11 Most Stylish Classic Designer Bags in the world. Hope this must-have selection made your life easier!
Of course, some sources (like "The Little Black Book of Style") suggest Gucci Jackie. O bag as yet another must-have classic, but I just did not think this particular bag was fabulous enough...
Should it too be on this Classic Designer Must-Have Bags list? I would love to hear your opinion, dear Fashionistas...
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ohmygawsh!! the chanel 2.55 bag looks ah-mazing!! so tempting yet soo expensive!!
Olga! Guess what... Silly stuff has turned into 40" LV Speedy ;) After months of saving and was ready to purchase, I spent sometime to get it with the very best price. LV stores, online stores, every single day as the exchange rate affected the price! Until I found that an old friend was visiting Paris! Gotcha... €475 for 40" LV Speedy which let me save almost $150 of the selling price at LV stores in my country and $100 of online stores selling price. What I'm trying to share is if we could have waited for months on saving project, it certainly worth the wait to find a way to buy it with the very best rate. Now, give us advise on designer classic briefcase to go to work with ;)
Hello Haze, please can you recommend the second hand shop. Thank you
I love my purses and I love finding new great ones that will hold lots of stuff...but I'm just not into spending more than $25-$30 on one! I usually can find good ones at Target! :)
you guys are lucky :( LV speedy cost 2000++, while chanel 2.55 is about 10,000 in Malaysia
i just started purchasing my designers bag last march 2011, and we have the same thought with these 4 classics must-have! i started with LV speedy 30 Damiere Ebene as my first splurge, 2nd was CHANEL GST black/silver ( wanted the 2.55 but my budget cant afford it, so GST is the answer! :) ) my 3rd splurge was a BALENCIAGA giant city, which i got last week.... and now i'm working on my 4th splurge.... maybe a LADY DIOR is nice... :))) i want something that will last longer than me.... :))))
Designer bag, shoes, cloths, sunglasses..et cetera..all tempting! But then again, there's always something that "fit" for everyone. It will come back to us, do we have it for our own satisfaction or just to show up? I ♥ that Birkin bag, but I know it's not "for me". Now I'm saving my Starbuck budget for 35" LV Speedy that, of course, long and lasting till I could have enough saving to buy another designer whatever that I want. Meanwhile, I'm just happy as I am to use Guess handbag that more affordable. It will stop me for feeling guilty of spending 2 months of my daughter tuition worth on an LV ;)
Dear Maria, You are absolutely right, designer bags, especially these iconic 4 are pretty expensive. And the worst part is that they never are and never will be on sale... However, if you are as crazy about having one of those bags as I am, you might consider starting saving. Seriously. $700 sounds like a lot of money for a bag. But if you put aside $5 every day - you will have enough money for your dream bag in just 4 month and 2 weeks or so... I think it's totally worth it! Every day we spend much more on coffee and sweets and little silly stuff we do not need or even like for that matter... That's the way I tackle the financial side... I wonder what tactics you guys have for getting the things you love?
Those are wise words, Millie. We should buy expensive things only when we feel that they will work for us in terms of function and aesthetics. We should not buy them only for status. Love the idea about saving coffee money for a luxury purchase. Will try it. :D
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joanne:ohmygawsh!! the chanel 2.55 bag looks ah-mazing!! so tempting yet soo expensive!!
millie:Olga! Guess what... Silly stuff has turned into 40" LV Speedy ;) After months of saving and was ready to purchase, I spent sometime to get it with the very best price. LV stores, online stores, every single day as the exchange rate affected the price! Until I found that an old friend was visiting Paris! Gotcha... €475 for 40" LV Speedy which let me save almost $150 of the selling price at LV stores in my country and $100 of online stores selling price. What I'm trying to share is if we could have waited for months on saving project, it certainly worth the wait to find a way to buy it with the very best rate. Now, give us advise on designer classic briefcase to go to work with ;)
Ewy:Hello Haze, please can you recommend the second hand shop. Thank you
Diana:I love my purses and I love finding new great ones that will hold lots of stuff...but I'm just not into spending more than $25-$30 on one! I usually can find good ones at Target! :)
shian:you guys are lucky :( LV speedy cost 2000++, while chanel 2.55 is about 10,000 in Malaysia
mari:i just started purchasing my designers bag last march 2011, and we have the same thought with these 4 classics must-have! i started with LV speedy 30 Damiere Ebene as my first splurge, 2nd was CHANEL GST black/silver ( wanted the 2.55 but my budget cant afford it, so GST is the answer! :) ) my 3rd splurge was a BALENCIAGA giant city, which i got last week.... and now i'm working on my 4th splurge.... maybe a LADY DIOR is nice... :))) i want something that will last longer than me.... :))))
millie:Designer bag, shoes, cloths, sunglasses..et cetera..all tempting! But then again, there's always something that "fit" for everyone. It will come back to us, do we have it for our own satisfaction or just to show up? I ♥ that Birkin bag, but I know it's not "for me". Now I'm saving my Starbuck budget for 35" LV Speedy that, of course, long and lasting till I could have enough saving to buy another designer whatever that I want. Meanwhile, I'm just happy as I am to use Guess handbag that more affordable. It will stop me for feeling guilty of spending 2 months of my daughter tuition worth on an LV ;)
Olga:Dear Maria, You are absolutely right, designer bags, especially these iconic 4 are pretty expensive. And the worst part is that they never are and never will be on sale... However, if you are as crazy about having one of those bags as I am, you might consider starting saving. Seriously. $700 sounds like a lot of money for a bag. But if you put aside $5 every day - you will have enough money for your dream bag in just 4 month and 2 weeks or so... I think it's totally worth it! Every day we spend much more on coffee and sweets and little silly stuff we do not need or even like for that matter... That's the way I tackle the financial side... I wonder what tactics you guys have for getting the things you love?
Lily:Those are wise words, Millie. We should buy expensive things only when we feel that they will work for us in terms of function and aesthetics. We should not buy them only for status. Love the idea about saving coffee money for a luxury purchase. Will try it. :D
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