I had a purse for over 10 years and finally had to retire it because the latch broke. I was about the size of a football, and had a hand strap. I bought it for $143 CA, when the 1 US = .67 CA. The brand was Mancini and I bought it at the Eaton center. I bought a style I like at target but the purse barely lasted three months. What is a good brand of purse which will wear like my old one? I can seem to find anyone selling small mancini purses now.
I am not in the least fashionable, but I can’t imagine having just one purse, and having it for 10 years, at that! I’m a huge fan of buying cheap 10$ purses that go well with an outfit or two, and just chucking them if they break. For your sake, I hope any purse you find at 100+ will last a good long time! I have one from Jacob that's going on about 3 years, but even that was only 35 or 40$.
If you really liked that purse, for a few bucks, you might want to see about getting the latch fixed at a [searching for word in English] Cordonnier. Leather worker? Those people who fix leather shoes and belts and whatnot, often in an unbelievably tiny store near mall exits.
There was enough wear around the edges and other places that it truly was time to retire. I don’t like shopping for accessories and I don’t like transferring the contents of my purse. I want a simple black bag that will do for all but the most formal occasions.
At the rate of $10 for a purse which lasts 3 months, it would cost me $400 plus time it takes to transfer contents and find new purses over the next 10 years.
It may not be your style, but check out the seatbelt bags. I’ve got one that’s about 7 years old and still looks brand new. The seatbelt material is very tough.
I know I may be stating the obvious, but why not Coach? Everything I’ve heard is that they last 10 years (at least), and they’ll probably still be in style then too.
I bought a black Cole Haan bag a few years ago in a classic shape, and it doesn’t even llok worn yet. They’re expensive, but not outrageous for the quality you get.
I bought a black Cole Haan bag a few years ago in a classic shape, and it doesn’t even look worn yet. They’re expensive, but not outrageous for the quality you get.
I will look at them. All I know about coach is that they are expensive and they look and feel nice. I had not heard how they wear.
My Coach bags have worn quite well, with only reasonable care taken. I have a black leather Prada bag that is medium-sized and sturdy, with a classic look. I fully expect to have it 10 years.
looking more, I am finding that the styles I like are sold as men’s handbags . I often carried my purse by the wrist strap. Cole Haan is a bit more than I can justify, and I did not see just the right style. I want to look at the coach bags in person, there was one that just might do.
I recommend Brahmin as a great value, and would have recommended one in particular if you’d asked this a couple of months ago, but it’s probably gone by now. It was small, black, and had a section in the middle for cards, ID, etc. Had a really long strap which I didn’t think much of but you could adjust that. In general Brahmin makes very nice bags, with prices about like Coach or maybe a little lower but really good workmanship and style. Sold at Nordstrom, Dillards, Macy’s.
Wow those “seat belt” purses are really cool! I will have to try one of those. I have also been in the market for a new hand bag and I can’t quite find the right one.
I just went to the army surplus store and got an olive drab bag for my vacation in DC. They had various sizes of canvas bag; I chose one that will hold a bottle of water, a camera, my little purse that would go with me to dinner, and a book. Cost me $14. It looks pretty damn sturdy.
This was very out of character for me. I normally spend about $100 on a leather purse that lasts me 10 years. I go to Wilson Leathers for these. They have lots of sizes and I’ve never had a problem with the quality.
lee, you also might want to look at Stone Mountain - they have very nice bags, and I’m still to this day using one that someone handed down to me - 20 years ago.
lee, check out Perlina handbags . I had one that had a clutch and over the shoulder. The leather is super soft or you can get pebbeled leather which is a bit tougher. It might be in your price range. I know e-bags carries them as well. I’m not sure if you can buy from the perlina site but can vouch for the organizing capabilities.