need a new purse

**nkotbjrkgirl** · 06-05-2011, 03:56 PM

I usually buy the inexpensive ones from walmart (i think this one cost me like $10) and it has totally seen better days

my question is--would it be a wise decision for me say in the next couple months to buy a decent purse that will last me a long time or keep getting the cheapies at walmart.

I have heard great things about coach purses- someone told me they have an amazing replacement plan. i have also be told they last a very long time.

just need some input.

**krbshappy71** · 06-05-2011, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by nkotbjrkgirl

I usually buy the inexpensive ones from walmart (i think this one cost me like $10) and it has totally seen better days

my question is--would it be a wise decision for me say in the next couple months to buy a decent purse that will last me a long time or keep getting the cheapies at walmart.

I have heard great things about coach purses- someone told me they have an amazing replacement plan. i have also be told they last a very long time.

just need some input.

Check out Goodwill, Arc, and other thrift stores. People get tired of their purses faster than they wear them out, usually. Since they are just a couple bucks you can get more than one, have some variety in your life!

**zakity** · 06-05-2011, 04:40 PM

Yep, thrift stores are the way to go.

**nkotbjrkgirl** · 06-05-2011, 04:41 PM

ooh- i hadn't thought to look there!

**Libby** · 06-05-2011, 05:00 PM

I'm not one for brand names - btw my gf bought a Coach purse and not from an outlet store and it died a month after. Not sure about their warranties but if I had one of those purses I'd be afraid to take it out of the box. $300+ for it?! Yikes!!

I buy the cheapies from Walmart or a no name from the luggage stores you see in the mall for no more then $20-$30. My best bargains and long lasting purses have come from Value Village believe it or not and I spent no more then max $5.

(Plus this way I'm not so sad when something happens to them (ie spills etc) or if they die)

**nkotbjrkgirl** · 06-05-2011, 05:06 PM

i would never pay full price for a coach purse. there is an outlet mall about an hour or so from here and there is a coach outlet sore there my sister got a nice coach purse for like $100 with tax.

**ladykemma2** · 06-05-2011, 05:52 PM

my two year old coach purse looks brand new. get all leather, please.

avoid the outlet mall. i got mine at macys, and yes, it was 400 dollars. well worth it.

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-05-2011, 06:02 PM

I always try to buy a leather purse, they just seem to last longer. I bought a vinyl one last time and it is already falling apart, threads coming off it and the zipper is pulling out. I think that like shoes you really need a good quality item that can stand up to daily use.

On the other hand, if you're one of those girls that has a purse for every outfit, the cheapie ones won't get as much abuse as if you had the same one every day.

I sew and what I've done is started making a few small, cute bags for when we go out and I don't need much. Like at the amusement park I only need my pass, ID and a little cash. This ends up being very inexpensive for me as I usually only need to buy a zipper.

**Neeley** · 06-05-2011, 06:26 PM

Seeing as how I am a complete and total purse snob, I am slightly bias to more expensive, brand name purses.

I have several Kate Spades, a Prada, a couple of Coach, Dooney and Bourke, and Polo purses. All in all I have around 20-25. Some I have paid full price for and others I have gotten second hand. I have had most of them for at least three to five years. My Dooney and my Polo I have had since 1993-94.

I only carry a bag for a week or two at a time, rotating them out so I don't get bored with any certain one. With that said, all of mine still look like brand new.

I have had a few less expensive brands and those just do not seem to hold up as well. I have never gotten any long term use out of the vast majority of them.

My mom has had a Brighton she bought five years ago, paid right at $400 for, carries it every single day and it still looks like it did the day she bought it.

I realize carrying a $250-$400 purse is not for everyone. You can always get a moderately priced purse for the $50 range from Macy's, Belk's or Dillard's that will normally hold up for a good amount of time. I have had pretty good experience with some Sak purses, Wilson Leather, and a few of the Nine West styles.

I have to agree with others, leather is the best way to go.

**nkotbjrkgirl** · 06-05-2011, 06:31 PM

I never learned to sew, I have 2 purses to my name(3 if you count the one that matched the dress i wore in my sisters wedding)

one is the one i am looking to replace-i'd ideally like to replace both as the other is not color fast so if i use it when the weather is hot, i end up with black color from the purse on my skin or my clothes and in the winter it doesn't fit over my bulky jacket sleeves not to mention several stitches have already started to break. and has a couple holes in the lining i am afraid i'll lose something in there. the one i am looking to replace are both leather- (at least i thought they were)

hubby and I are going to go to the thrift store tomorrow after we help my mom with something for her PC. if i find a good deal or two i'll be sure to post.

is there anything particularily bad about the coach outlet store?

**ladykemma2** · 06-05-2011, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by nkotbjrkgirl

I never learned to sew, I have 2 purses to my name(3 if you count the one that matched the dress i wore in my sisters wedding)

one is the one i am looking to replace-i'd ideally like to replace both as the other is not color fast so if i use it when the weather is hot, i end up with black color from the purse on my skin or my clothes and in the winter it doesn't fit over my bulky jacket sleeves not to mention several stitches have already started to break. and has a couple holes in the lining i am afraid i'll lose something in there. the one i am looking to replace are both leather- (at least i thought they were)

hubby and I are going to go to the thrift store tomorrow after we help my mom with something for her PC. if i find a good deal or two i'll be sure to post.

is there anything particularily bad about the coach outlet store?

i got a basic black handbag (madison sabrina?) from coach. i carry it everyday everywhere.

what i noticed about the coach outlet store were bad stitching, poor construction, a lot of fabric for teenyboppers, and "junk" with the coach name.

**nkotbjrkgirl** · 06-05-2011, 06:45 PM

ok thanks for the tip. my sisters is white leather.

i am past the teenybopper stage fore sure-LOL!

**Libby** · 06-05-2011, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by nkotbjrkgirl

is there anything particularily bad about the coach outlet store?

I think the outlet Coach are their own 'lesser' versions of their own product. Lesser quality material/value/style? Lower end? Not sure as Im not a Coach kinda gal.

**shoiji** · 06-05-2011, 07:38 PM

I would say go to the thrift store. A good thrift store. I purchased a "coach" purse at the thrift store for around $30. A friend who is able to purchase such items immediately asked if it was a coach purse. She even felt the leather and said she throught it was. I say "coach" since it could be a fake.

But I have also gotten aigner purses there and liz clairborne purses at the thrift store. I do have a couple cheaper purses since I would rather use them in the rain and snow since I have to walk or take mass transit and do not worry about them getting wet. Yes I have a couple of purses. I like to be able to change them with the outfit and weather. Also think that helps to keep them in great shape since I am not using the same one all the time.