Thursday, April 28, 2011

the $100 handbag challenge...

If there's one thing I like, it's a really, really expensive handbag. Chanel, Hermes, Proenza, these are the things my dreams are made of. However, until the day when I'm a high-powered fashion lady, ruling New York city with an iron stiletto, I'm just your average 20-something gal on a very tight budget.

My roommates are in a pretty similar stage of life and finance, and the other day Tully and I were discussing how hard it is to find a good bag around or under $100. At this price point, you're probably paying too much for shoddy quality, or just enough to make you think you should have saved an extra $200 and gone for the real deal.

I've generally stuck to the policy of "go big or go home" when it comes to bags, and have happily and without regret spent upwards of $600 on a single handbag (and an additional $150 on another one, in the same hour... Don't blame me, blame Paris). But that's just me. I know some of you out there would rather throw down for the perfect peep toe, a Burberry trench or perhaps even some sweet rims for your ride.

When it comes to a great bag, though, is there a middle ground? Does a great bag exist that is not actually a wallet, a make-up pouch, or a wristlet for $100 or less? I've put it to myself to find out. Additionally, I'd like to extend the challenge you. If you can find / have already found a legit, good-looking, not tacky full price bag - leave a link and a note in the comments!

Let's meet back here a week from today and discuss what we've found!

Happy hunting to you and me...


  1. I really like the 'Ultimate' bags by Sheer Luxe... their SS11 offering is gorgeous, and while it doesn't qualify for the under $100 category, it's still good value in my opinion!


  2. Basically they don't really exist if you want real leather - BUMMER! But Urban has some really cute options (which I'm sure you already know) for under $100:

    Or Quiksilver Women's new line:|Handbags

    And this one is kinda cute from Anthro, but maybe a little too small (but under $100!):

  3. I know what you mean. It's great to dream, but in reality it's much harder to be chic on a budget.

    I really like these bags from aldo & urban:
    1) (aldo)
    2) (aldo)
    3) (urban)
    They are all under $100, but they are made of synthetic material and pretty blatant knock offs of recognizable bags.

    For something mid-priced (between $100 & crazy):
    1) Rebecca Minkoff ( which is also available on Amazon--sometimes for 30% off--and at outlets of Saks, Bloomies, and Nordstrom. I got my yellow perforated leather MAC clutch for $120-ish.

    2) Cambridge Satchel Company ( Asos has them for free shipping, but the neon colors are huge right now. Plus, they're real leather!

    I'll try to find more!


  4. It's ON!
    Nice reco's Becca! You must be one stylish/fun/fabulous person!! And you must have a friend in NYC that would love for you to come visit ASAP and bring that $100 bag and maybe some patron. xoxoxo

  5. Deux Lux has the most quality bags at the most affordable price point. I first saw the Mercer handbag at a small boutique and picked it up thinking it was going to cost somewhere around $500 and I was pleasantly surprised that it only cost $93!

    The bags aren't made out of leather but look and feel just like leather. Plus, they don't have that strange PVC smell and actually hold up really well.

    You can check them out here:

  6. longchamp is always a classic but you already knew that :) I bought a jessica simpson bag in 2008 and i still use it today. i always get complements on it and everyone is always surprised when i tell them the brand. but with brands like that its always a hit or miss. you just have to really look for the good pieces.

  7. I ordered this bag from Melie Bianco, and I love it!

    I got mine for $88 since I had a coupon, and it wasn't supposed to come until May 30th but it arrived this morning! It isn't real leather (like others have said, I think it's hard to find a good sized, real leather bag for under $100.) This bag looks luxe, and feels surprisingly soft and like real leather. They also have a ton of other bags on their site which are cute, and I think most (if not all) are under $100. I'd definitely recommend this brand! :)

  8. Price's got nothing to do with it. Really, I don't get why only expensive must mean it's good. What you pay is a brand name and all that glory that comes with it, not quality, not design. Yeah, ofcourse I would buy expensive stuff if I had enough money for luxury, but I just don't see why it is a must.