Purse envy?

Kate Spade, Chloe, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Burberry, Louis Vuitton--are you a woman who loves a designer purse? 

How much are you willing to pay for one? Are they worth what they cost?

My friend Rachel took me on mall mission to find out! We visited designer purses at the department stores Nordstrom & Neiman Marcus & in the individual stores of Coach, Burberry, & Louis Vuitton. As much as they would let us, we examined the material (not always leather), the quality, & the prices of the bags. 

For a woman (me) who has never owned a designer bag, it was an education. 

We started out in Nordstrom, conveniently celebrating its Half Yearly Sale. Of all the places we visited, I'd say Nordstrom would be the easiest place to buy a designer bag since all the purses are accessibly on display, & the salespeople are available but not pushy nor snobby. 

Kate Spade

I already knew that I liked Kate Spade purses, & the styles seem wearable & well made. The bags also weren't ridiculously overpriced really (from about $80-$800) compared to the other designer bags we would come upon later. 

Kate Spade 'Small Elissa' Tote, $298

Many of the Kate Spade purses feature a bow detail. Kate Spade 'Julia Street - Maise' Satchel, $328

We saw several pretty options on sale--still more money than I'd usually spend but very nice. 

'Preppy Legend - Natasha' Crossbody Bag, $198

I love the Kate Spade crossbody bag.

Kate Spade 'Cobble Hill Bow - Tarin' Crossbody Bag, $119.26

Also at Nordstrom are displays of Valentino, Alexander McQueen, & Jimmy Choo bags with some unique features...

Valentino

Valentino 'Rockstud' Nappa Leather Flap Clutch, $1,695

Alexander McQueen

Designer Alexander McQueen is known for putting art into fashion...

Alexander McQueen 'De Manta - Small' Metallic Leather Clutch, $745

Alexander McQueen 'Knuckle Box' Clutch, $1,995.00

Jimmy Choo

Rachel & I agreed that the super shiny patent leather bags didn't seem worth the high price tags. We also found several designer bags made of polyurethane that definitely didn't seem worth the three- & four-digit price tags.

Jimmy Choo 'Rebel' Patent Leather Shoulder Bag, $1,795

Next we headed to Neiman Marcus, which seemed to have an even larger selection of designers & bags than Nordstrom in beautiful, museum-style displays.

 We noticed chain straps seem to be on trend right now. 

Chanel

Stella McCartney Falabella Fold-Over Tote Bag, $1,195

Chloe

Chloe purses at Neiman Marcus. Georgia Mini Leather Crossbody Bag, $1,090

Rachel owns a rich blue Chloe purse, a special present she chose for a milestone birthday. 

Rachel's Chloe purse

Yves Saint Laurent

We settled into studying prices in earnest when it came to the Yves Saint Laurent bags. I admired the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, but I don't like the YSL bags with the huge logos. 

Considering that Yves Saint Laurent hated "the snobbery of wealth," why are his bags priced so high?

After Neiman Marcus, we headed to some individual designer stores...

Coach

The Coach store is all about animal prints for the upcoming fall season. Coach bags, shoes, jackets, & clothes seem well made & worth the cost. Rachel & I have both been pleased with our purchases from their outlet store. My husband bought me a little Coach backpack from the outlet store in 1998 that I still use--still in great shape after all these years of wear!

Leather moto jackets seem to be in for fall. Such soft soft leather on this Coach ICON moto jacket, $995

Display at the front of the Coach store

Louis Vuitton

The elegant & serious salespeople in the Louis Vuitton store did not like me taking pictures. The signature styles are very nice & very expensive. Their travel bags appealed to me the most, but would you be willing to check them through baggage claim?

Louis Vuitton Sara Wallet, $700

We visited the Burberry store, but after being chastised at Louis Vuitton, I stopped taking photos. Still, the Burberry bags might be my favorite. They remind me of the medicine bags the British veterinarians in All Things Bright and Beautiful carried. We headed back to Nordstrom where a saleman welcomed us to try them on & take photos. 

Burberry

Burberry tote, around $1495

Classic Burberry, $475-$1695

At Nordstrom seeing how I look with a Burberry bag :) (around $1495)

Well, I confess that Burberry bag seems to upgrade my outfit from "everyday" to eleganté. I can't imagine spending $1000 or more on a purse, but I can see the value of investing in a classic, lasting piece. 

Many thanks to Rachel for touring the mall with me & introducing me to some of the finest designers! 

Do you own a designer purse? Would you want one?