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serena11 · Oct 10th, 2008, 08:25 PM

Per Doloresmia's suggestion, I am putting this out there for the BV girls: check out the review on http://savvy.purseblog.com/ comparing a cole haan bag to the BV. They identify the wrong BV! I am all for affordable alternatives, but I just don't think this one is a hit. What do you girls think?

I would post another review of BV but I don't think you are allowed to post about other bag blogs on here- it was a review of the bombe that I think jburgh (?) purchased recently...

Baggiana · Oct 10th, 2008, 09:06 PM

I read the review and comments. There is a similarity, but both are distinctive, and for different price points. One of the commenters pointed out that the weaves were different, Cole Haan having a unique way to weave from the center out. To my mind, the only comparisons are that they are both woven leather handbags. No one is trying to fool themselves, and at least it is an authentic Cole Haan, and not a counterfeit BV.

piperlu · Oct 10th, 2008, 09:14 PM

I saw this on the blog as well. I personally prefer the BV, but if there are people who like similar bags and need a different price point, this might be an option for them.

I also agree that it is an authentic CH and not a counterfeit BV. Huge difference.

boxermom · Oct 10th, 2008, 10:02 PM

I posted a comment. I'm a big fan of Cole Haan but you can't compare their woven bags to BV--CH is not a viable substitute for BV. IMO, CH is one of the better values out there. BV is in a class by itself. Why compare to a Sloane??? Wouldn't a better comparison be to the medium Veneta which can be purchased at BlueFly for a little over $1k?

jburgh · Oct 10th, 2008, 10:50 PM

I'll say it again. The optical weave looks cool, but the bag feels like cardboard compared to a BV.

There are always going to be cheaper bags out there, and there will always be people with more money than me. I prefer to buy one BV that is made by people who are respected and earn a living wage, than 15 bags made in a place that exploits workers. This is MHO.

I use to carry D&B, Coach, Cole Haan, Kooba, etc. These are viable options for people who cannot or chose not to purchase a BV. I don't think that article was seriously saying that the CH was a direct substitute for BV, just an option.

stylefiend · Oct 11th, 2008, 07:23 AM

I'm ok with using the same bag with all my outfits. LOL. BV!!!

doloresmia · Oct 11th, 2008, 02:07 PM

I used to carry the cole haan buckets, but they were too heavy and then i would have leather burn on my shoulders, which doesn't look fun with that corrugation shown in the blog. not into gouge marks myself. i think CH is ok price point if you go through bags quickly. still prefer my BVs!

serena11 · Oct 11th, 2008, 03:10 PM

I guess my bigger thing with the post is that I felt like the poster did not compare it to the "right" BV bag- the veneta. I think that Cole Haan is a good alternative for those that like the woven look but do not want to pay for BC. I love Cole Haan and I like the look for less idea, I was just intrigued by the comparison of the bag to the Sloane. I'm making a bit of hash of this- but do you guys get what I'm saying?

Baggiana · Oct 11th, 2008, 04:00 PM

To each his/her own... I love both BV and Nancy Gonzalez (for occasion dressing) - but the truth is that for most of the time, my Venetas rest happily on my shoulder. In the last few days, I have been carrying my older circle (in cervo) bag. Heavier, but the hang and drape are gorgeous! To me they are perfection! All my other bags have sat untouched for almost 2 years.

Serena11, I do not think that the comparison to the Sloane necessarily was wrong. The Veneta is a one piece construction (handle is a part of the bag without separate attachment like rings), whereas the Sloane has an attached handle... and so does the CH. The bodies are different, and that leads me to believe that this was not a design knock-off on the part of CH - but a nod to the styling of BV. There is really no "right" BV to use as a comparison... the CH is what it is.

boxermom · Oct 11th, 2008, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by serena11

I guess my bigger thing with the post is that I felt like the poster did not compare it to the "right" BV bag- the veneta. I think that Cole Haan is a good alternative for those that like the woven look but do not want to pay for BC. I love Cole Haan and I like the look for less idea, I was just intrigued by the comparison of the bag to the Sloane. I'm making a bit of hash of this- but do you guys get what I'm saying?

Exactly. I DO get what you're saying. Nothing against CH, and the BV they compared the CH to wasn't a good choice.

blugenie · Oct 11th, 2008, 06:51 PM

I took my Ottone Sloane to a tPF meet no-less and a fellow member asked "is that Cole Haan?"

No kidding.

On one hand since I like my bags under-the-radar I don't care that the average person wouldn't have a clue how much my bags cost, but part of me was taken aback that someone who LOVES bags too wouldn't instantly recognize a higher quality if not the brand. Fortunately all was forgiven and despite the slight, we've become good friends! LOL

yoga1566 · Oct 11th, 2008, 07:35 PM

I don't care for the comparison at all. But I do get the whole "look for less" thing they were going for, although I think the post missed its mark. Why not feature the Cole Haan bag because its a great look (on its own merit) that easily fits a budget? I think that all comparisons, beyond the simple fact that both bags have woven leather, should be left out because in the end there is no comparison. As another poster pointed out, the weave technique that Cole Haan uses produces a very different final effect than BV. And the two bags couldn't be more different in quality of leather, workmanship or overall design.

If you are the kind of consumer that appreciates those details, there is no way this Cole Haan will be an adequate substitute for the BV of your choice. If you are not, then why pay attention to how your CH stacks up against a BV at all? I personally like Cole Haan products and feel that they make a good quality leather good (handbags & shoes) with nice design details. But for the reasons mentioned above, that post is misguided in its attempt to help the saavy purse shopper imo.

piperlu · Oct 11th, 2008, 08:30 PM

^^I finally got to go to Charleston today. I was able to see these CH bags IRL. It really didn't do much for me b/c I was of course looking for BV. BTW, no BV at Sak's in Charleston.

I thought it was an okay bag. The colors were rich and pretty. But, I didn't like it enough to even check the price tag. LOL I could see that some people would be drawn to it b/c of the lower price point. Definitely not BV though.

Sidebar - I did get to try on two different Veneta's at Bob Ellis. They had a striped one in beige and khaki, and they had a beautiful pleated one. I don't know if it was Parma or Turbolence. The SA kept referring to it as purple. LOL Unfortunately, they were both mediums. They were way too small for me. I could barely fit them on my shoulder. So, I would definitely need a large. They even checked in the back for a large one but they didn't have one.

doloresmia · Oct 11th, 2008, 08:41 PM

^^^was the striped one the tiger veneta or something else?

we have plenty of places to try on bags on the west coast, come on over!

piperlu · Oct 11th, 2008, 09:42 PM

^^I think it was the tiger veneta. The SA's there didn't know as much as I know. I'm still a newbie with BV, so I was surprised.

I did love the pleated veneta. It looked like the color of my wallet, so I don't know if it was a true purple or they call it turbolence. I definitely could see me wearing that bag in a large. They also had a black pleated in medium as well.

I would love to come to the West Coast! You're in the mecca of it all in SoCal.

Oct 10th, 2008, 08:25 PM	#1
serena11 OP Member Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 568	Cole Haan v BV- seriously?! Per Doloresmia's suggestion, I am putting this out there for the BV girls: check out the review on http://savvy.purseblog.com/ comparing a cole haan bag to the BV. They identify the wrong BV! I am all for affordable alternatives, but I just don't think this one is a hit. What do you girls think? I would post another review of BV but I don't think you are allowed to post about other bag blogs on here- it was a review of the bombe that I think jburgh (?) purchased recently...
serena11 OP Member Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 568

Oct 10th, 2008, 09:06 PM	#2
Baggiana Member Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,991	I read the review and comments. There is a similarity, but both are distinctive, and for different price points. One of the commenters pointed out that the weaves were different, Cole Haan having a unique way to weave from the center out. To my mind, the only comparisons are that they are both woven leather handbags. No one is trying to fool themselves, and at least it is an authentic Cole Haan, and not a counterfeit BV.
Baggiana Member Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,991

Oct 10th, 2008, 09:14 PM	#3
piperlu ~ Peltro Heaven ~ Joined: Jun 2006 Location: At the beach Posts: 9,393	I saw this on the blog as well. I personally prefer the BV, but if there are people who like similar bags and need a different price point, this might be an option for them. I also agree that it is an authentic CH and not a counterfeit BV. Huge difference.
	__________________ Debbie

Oct 10th, 2008, 10:50 PM	#5
jburgh BV, Choo, Ferragamo Joined: Aug 2007 Location: where the Corgis frap Posts: 7,203	I'll say it again. The optical weave looks cool, but the bag feels like cardboard compared to a BV. There are always going to be cheaper bags out there, and there will always be people with more money than me. I prefer to buy one BV that is made by people who are respected and earn a living wage, than 15 bags made in a place that exploits workers. This is MHO. I use to carry D&B, Coach, Cole Haan, Kooba, etc. These are viable options for people who cannot or chose not to purchase a BV. I don't think that article was seriously saying that the CH was a direct substitute for BV, just an option.
	__________________ Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Last edited by jburgh; Oct 10th, 2008 at 10:57 PM. Reason: Adding more words.

Oct 11th, 2008, 07:23 AM	#6
stylefiend Member Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 606	I'm ok with using the same bag with all my outfits. LOL. BV!!!
	__________________ Stylefiend's collection http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-208417.html *BANNED until 2010* Wish List Balenciaga Anthracite GGH Envelope Clutch Bottega Veneta Large Cabat Ferro/Nero Hermes Birkin 40 Black GH

Oct 10th, 2008, 10:02 PM	#4
boxermom Member Joined: Aug 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 13,685	I posted a comment. I'm a big fan of Cole Haan but you can't compare their woven bags to BV--CH is not a viable substitute for BV. IMO, CH is one of the better values out there. BV is in a class by itself. Why compare to a Sloane??? Wouldn't a better comparison be to the medium Veneta which can be purchased at BlueFly for a little over $1k?

Oct 11th, 2008, 02:07 PM	#7
doloresmia Member Joined: May 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 7,516	I used to carry the cole haan buckets, but they were too heavy and then i would have leather burn on my shoulders, which doesn't look fun with that corrugation shown in the blog. not into gouge marks myself. i think CH is ok price point if you go through bags quickly. still prefer my BVs!
	Last edited by doloresmia; Oct 11th, 2008 at 02:19 PM.

Oct 11th, 2008, 03:10 PM	#8
serena11 OP Member Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 568	I guess my bigger thing with the post is that I felt like the poster did not compare it to the "right" BV bag- the veneta. I think that Cole Haan is a good alternative for those that like the woven look but do not want to pay for BC. I love Cole Haan and I like the look for less idea, I was just intrigued by the comparison of the bag to the Sloane. I'm making a bit of hash of this- but do you guys get what I'm saying?
serena11 OP Member Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 568

Oct 11th, 2008, 04:00 PM	#9
Baggiana Member Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,991	To each his/her own... I love both BV and Nancy Gonzalez (for occasion dressing) - but the truth is that for most of the time, my Venetas rest happily on my shoulder. In the last few days, I have been carrying my older circle (in cervo) bag. Heavier, but the hang and drape are gorgeous! To me they are perfection! All my other bags have sat untouched for almost 2 years. Serena11, I do not think that the comparison to the Sloane necessarily was wrong. The Veneta is a one piece construction (handle is a part of the bag without separate attachment like rings), whereas the Sloane has an attached handle... and so does the CH. The bodies are different, and that leads me to believe that this was not a design knock-off on the part of CH - but a nod to the styling of BV. There is really no "right" BV to use as a comparison... the CH is what it is.
Baggiana Member Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,991	Last edited by Baggiana; Oct 11th, 2008 at 04:09 PM.

Oct 11th, 2008, 06:51 PM	#11
blugenie Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,745	I took my Ottone Sloane to a tPF meet no-less and a fellow member asked "is that Cole Haan?" No kidding. On one hand since I like my bags under-the-radar I don't care that the average person wouldn't have a clue how much my bags cost, but part of me was taken aback that someone who LOVES bags too wouldn't instantly recognize a higher quality if not the brand. Fortunately all was forgiven and despite the slight, we've become good friends! LOL
blugenie Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,745

Oct 11th, 2008, 07:35 PM	#12
yoga1566 Chanel nut Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 418	I don't care for the comparison at all. But I do get the whole "look for less" thing they were going for, although I think the post missed its mark. Why not feature the Cole Haan bag because its a great look (on its own merit) that easily fits a budget? I think that all comparisons, beyond the simple fact that both bags have woven leather, should be left out because in the end there is no comparison. As another poster pointed out, the weave technique that Cole Haan uses produces a very different final effect than BV. And the two bags couldn't be more different in quality of leather, workmanship or overall design. If you are the kind of consumer that appreciates those details, there is no way this Cole Haan will be an adequate substitute for the BV of your choice. If you are not, then why pay attention to how your CH stacks up against a BV at all? I personally like Cole Haan products and feel that they make a good quality leather good (handbags & shoes) with nice design details. But for the reasons mentioned above, that post is misguided in its attempt to help the saavy purse shopper imo.
yoga1566 Chanel nut Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 418	__________________ My Wishlist (all Chanel!) J12 white w/diamond markers 2006 Bordeaux reissue (226) Black Lucky Charms reissue Medium caviar flap (color?)

Oct 11th, 2008, 08:30 PM	#13
piperlu ~ Peltro Heaven ~ Joined: Jun 2006 Location: At the beach Posts: 9,393	^^I finally got to go to Charleston today. I was able to see these CH bags IRL. It really didn't do much for me b/c I was of course looking for BV. BTW, no BV at Sak's in Charleston. I thought it was an okay bag. The colors were rich and pretty. But, I didn't like it enough to even check the price tag. LOL I could see that some people would be drawn to it b/c of the lower price point. Definitely not BV though. Sidebar - I did get to try on two different Veneta's at Bob Ellis. They had a striped one in beige and khaki, and they had a beautiful pleated one. I don't know if it was Parma or Turbolence. The SA kept referring to it as purple. LOL Unfortunately, they were both mediums. They were way too small for me. I could barely fit them on my shoulder. So, I would definitely need a large. They even checked in the back for a large one but they didn't have one.
	__________________ Debbie

Oct 11th, 2008, 08:41 PM	#14
doloresmia Member Joined: May 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 7,516	^^^was the striped one the tiger veneta or something else? we have plenty of places to try on bags on the west coast, come on over!

Oct 11th, 2008, 09:42 PM	#15
piperlu ~ Peltro Heaven ~ Joined: Jun 2006 Location: At the beach Posts: 9,393	^^I think it was the tiger veneta. The SA's there didn't know as much as I know. I'm still a newbie with BV, so I was surprised. I did love the pleated veneta. It looked like the color of my wallet, so I don't know if it was a true purple or they call it turbolence. I definitely could see me wearing that bag in a large. They also had a black pleated in medium as well. I would love to come to the West Coast! You're in the mecca of it all in SoCal.
	__________________ Debbie

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