Dear Bag Snob,
First of all, I love your website…it is perfection, and your taste is impeccable. I, too, am a fashion snob, but one with limited means. (sob) I have decided to make a new purchase and have been saving my money to buy one handbag. My price range is between $500 and $800, unless you think that I should save my money and wait until I can afford the right kind of bag.
Bag criteria:
– Go from day to night, go with almost everything
– Medium sized (I want to fit things in it, but look chic, not like a peasant carting their entire life around town).
– Undeniably stylish (I am only 22, so it needs to be young. I have a classic style that’s also hip and modern. I want to be able to wear the bag with dressier oufits but it has to be able to go with jeans and white converse too)
– Not be over next season (like the Balenciaga bags… I saw that coming miles away, but still loved those bags).
– Unsnubbable (I don’t want anyone to be able to look down on my bag….and I mean anyone.)
Colors I am considering are white (but will it be over after spring/summer?), pale gold/metallic bronze (I love metallics when used as an accent in the right way, and don’t care if this trend is over) and dark brown/black (but not fun for summer, and does brown go with black/black with brown?)
Thank you, your expert opinion would be extremely appreciated!
Sincerely,
Eliza
Dear Eliza,
Your search is something we all want – the one perfect bag! Unfortunately that doesn’t exist but that’s the beauty, how boring would it be if we only had ONE bag? But we will attempt to come up with a few options for you. Your budget is a range many of our readers have asked us about but these days, top designers are pricing most of their bags over $1000. Marc Jacobs have some that are a few dollars under $1000. And you don’t want to be out-snubbed? Well, unless you have a diamond croc Birkin, there will always be someone out there who is a bigger snob than you. What you want is to be fabulous and that we can help you with! First off, say no to your white converse! Bags are the biggest fabulous makers and shoes are a close second. We hope it’s just youthful foolishness and you’ll grow out of that (and soon!!). You did hit a biggie with metallics so you are forgiven. The trend is most certainly not over. The light, subtle tones Prada, Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors are doing are really beautiful and is perfect for going from day to night. White is fabulous but of course is seasonal. If this really is your only bag, I would stick to light neutrals.
The Marc Jacobs Julia tote is definitely a basic. It will endure many trends and although it is a respectable bag, you won’t be turning heads. $995 at Net-A-Porter.
I love this gold Napa Drawstring tote from Prada. The color is so beautiful in person. This is definitely glitzy enough to make your friends jealous. The $1560 at Neiman Marcus.
This is not my first choice but again, the subtle tone of the metallic makes this bag so beautiful. The shopper style tote is clunky for evening but as an overall bag, it is very functional. $1195 at Neiman Marcus.
This Marc Jacobs Military Metallic Tote is super cute for a young girl. I love the shape and color, this is near perfect as an all around bag. The tote style is great for night because it won’t take over your shoulder if you are wearing something delicate or a strapless. (Just so you know, I am considering getting this bag.) The best part is, it right within your budget, $895 at eLuxury.
Based on your age and your budget, this is the bag I like most for you. This Miu Miu is young and hip yet classic enough to make it through many seasons. It is a good everyday size and comes in brown, tan and white (I love the white the most). The lock feature is a variation on the padlock – it is a little storage pouch, super cute! It’s just over $1000, available at Barneys New York (not available through their website).
We hope that helps and please let us know what you end up getting.
Your fabulous stylist,
The Bag Snob
I have never felt compelled to respond to anything in a blog but I think may have missed a bag. Assuming because of her age and desire for a fab bag that has a lot of use, how cold you forget the Classic Louis Vuitton Speedy 30? At $585, its a budget win, its uber-fabulous at 22, it will be undeniably fabulous when she is 75, its roomy without being overpowering, in short, its meets all her requests! Plus, its a great fab-bag collection starter…..
Thank you for your comment but we disagree. The Speedy 30 is not something we would ever carry, much less a 22 year old. We also never use monogrammed anything.
Hi,
I absolutely agree with you! I won’t use monogram…
I’m turning 22 this year and I won’t use a monogram handbag.
I’m planning to buy a white handbag… a white muse or white betty.
Can you give me some advice on which one should I choose?
Thank you!
Hi Joyce,
Both the muse and the betty are great choices. However, given that you are only 22, the Chloe Betty in white may be more suitable as it is a hip and trendy bag. But if you are looking for a more classic bag,the Muse would be best. Sincerely, The Bag Snob
one suggestion i have is to get a bag that has both the hand held strap and the detachable shoulder strap (like the balenciaga) b/c it’s really a very simple way to take from day to night, and also very convenient. i was searching for a bag for the longest time, and finally found it in the grace bag by marc jacobs. granted it’s not the most current bag, but the frame style is definitely classic looking, and the double straps really makes it more versatile. alas, nothing is perfect. my only complaint is that this bag is HEAVY! good luck on finding your bag!
p.s. this blog is one of my favorite bag blog!
i disagree about the LV mono speedy. If it was good enough for audrey hepburn, then it’s good enough for me.
id suggest the
TODS MIKY bag ($1250 retail but often goes on sale)
MARC JACOBS MULTIPOCKET HOBO ($895)
GUCCI’s non-monogram JACKIE BAG (now called as the BOUVIER bag) ($1095)
LV’s EPI ACC. POUCH ($340)
Why not a Chanel? It’s a bit higher than your price range, but it’s a great investment – it’s so classic that you’ll be able to wear it for years. I’m planning on getting my first designer bag pretty soon too, and it’ll be the Chanel 2.55. It’s also an incredibly classy bag that can be made both casual and dressy. Go with Chanel!
Hello! Eliza you are having the exact same issue as I am. I am similarly-aged budget-ranged.
I’ve narrowed my personal list down to this:
YSL Muse
LV Popincourt Haut
MJ Quilted Venetia or Blake
Those because I think they are the most versatile day–>night, and a good size because I carry so much crap but not too big that I look like a bag lady. LV bags, I think, are now cheaper than a lot of other bags. If you don’t like Mono, consider the Epi leather. Personally I don’t like those weird line things.
If you like the look of Balenciaga, I suggest you take a looky look at Botkier. They have the same slouchy, tasselly look, but at half the price. They’re also less famous/cliched with people carrying them all over, so I think it’s good for 1)not getting identified as rich and then robbed 2)last longer than 1 season. Neiman definitely sells them. Maybe Saks?
I will also be raiding my mom’s closet. I think raiding fashionable female relatives’ closets is a great way to gain bags…
Hi,
I have a similar problem.. my boyfriend has promised to me a ‘nice’ bag for my 21st. He hasn’t really mentioned a budget (but I’m guessing he’d balk at anything more than £700 – around $1400).
since it will be my first important bag, (and probably my last for a few years..) i’d like to buy a bag that is timeless yet chic.
i was once in love with the spy but now i think that anyone who still dares carries it around should be shot! its getting a bit old now..
so what i want is a bag that wouldn’t really get old and something that i could carry around for a season or two..
also i hate monograms! but i’d like the bag to be instantly recognised as a designer bag..
i like big bags to carry all my junk around.. and i’m very partial to white.. i hope you can help me out with my problem here..
i’ve been walking up and down selfridges, harrods and harvey nicks for the past weeks and can’t seem to make up my mind! i really don’t know which bag to buy.. i’m quite partial to the ysl muse though.. do u think that it would go out of style anytime soon?
thanks very much for your help!
Anybody know what’s the name of the Miu miu bag? It’s so cute!
Dear Bag Snob,
I am also looking for a first bag. But I would like this first one to be Prada. I am 33 years old and I am looking for a versatil, sweet and sure-to-be-loved Prada under 2000 dollars. I am thinking something to meet my future family in law; something to go to that job intervew for a position at the investment company I want to get in; something to take a not so small book and a cardigan inside and go to my favorite coffee shop to stay there for hours; something to wear to work maybe 2 times a week; something to keep with me for good many years. (And I wonder in my ignorance if by any chance a white one could play the part). Please dear Bag Snob help me. I am sure you have the right thing to say.
Yours,
Lynn
I’ve been saving up for a marc jacobs venetia bag, but I can’t decide between the white quilted bag or the more basic ‘putty color’. Would I be better off getting the smaller blake bag instead? please help me bag snob!!!
Kim, the venetia is quite large and heavy. The blake is a bit smaller and lighter, I also think it’s much cuter. It has more zippered compartments thus making it more useful when organizing. Hope this helps!
The Bag Snob
Great answer, I love your advice!
I think youre spot on.
Dear Bag Snob,
I love your site, and I read it every day. I’m looking for a white snakeskin (anaconda or python) bag that’s not too heavy. (I’m tired of the break-your-back rather than budget bags.) Any brilliant ideas?
Thanks,
Caroline
People, don’t make my slippers laugh! LV Speedy is dated, ugly and the bottom hangs eventually from all that junk in the trunk. It’s also hand-held only. terrible pick.
The bag of my dreams is a Hermes Kelly – still dreaming about the perfect colour. This year I hope to get my hands on a White Dior Cannage, a Chanel 2.55 in black and a BV Montaigne – that ought to keep me happy. Whilst I agree with the brilliant bag snobs on the Classic Monogram LV Speedy 30 in leather and on monogram bags in general, I must say that my LV Speedy 30 in Mini Lin Canvas is rather nice and the ones in Epi leather are not too bad either.
Dear Bag Snob,
It’s my 16th birthday in a week and a half and i’m currently campaigning, lol, to get a black chanel 2.55 with gold hardware from my parents. Obviously it’s going to be expensive and i’m guessing anything over £900 will be a big no-no, but if i even stand a chance of getting one i need to know exactly how much it is. I’ve got various other louis vuitton, dior, gucci, prada bags so it’s not as if it’ll be my first designer bag – but i really want a classic timeless bag i can keep forever,
love annabelle xx
How about the Mulberry Bayswater? I’m 21 and thinking about getting a bag which suits my age more than my spy, pradas and novaks