[jli86]

Hi girls!
I must admit I was much more of a clothes and shoes person than a bags person. That is until one day I saw a girl carrying a bag that just caught my eye and when I looked closely it was a Prada. Another time a Paddington. That's when I started looking into designer bags. I am always conscious with how I look but I am not someone who likes to show off wealth either. To me, the monogram LVs are just a bit too much that way (no offense to the LV fans).
Can you girls recommend a classic bag that is an understate luxury? I.e. I'm not walking around telling everyone "hey look I can afford this bag" but rather a recognizable designer label that is familiar to the better informed, and with a timeless elegance?
Thanks girls!

[kcf68]

Kate Spade has classic handbags. Cole Haan has some nice handbags. Marc Jacobs is higher but some are classy. Ferragamo has really nice classics. Good luck!

[audball67]

Are you looking for unknown/yet-to-be discovered high-end designers or for well-known designers with more understated elegance?

Some that I think of as nice, but not too showy:
Tod's/Hogan
Celine
Balenciaga
Jil Sander
Chanel
MiuMiu/Prada
Hermes (really, to me, the ultimate)

Newer, less well known name (but still nice):
Belen Echandia
Hayden Harnett (less formal)
SHIH
Goldenbleu
Andrea Brueckner

[Numero10]

What kind of bag are you looking for? Every day? Going out? Small? Big? Tote? etc...

[QuirkyCool]

I recommend

*The unquilted Chloe Bay Bag (absolute luxury,casual or smart,not a screamy logo in sight)

* The YSL Muse bag (leather gets better and better with age,same as above...can be used casually,for work,and in my case even as a nappy bag LOL.

*Good quality Mulberry bags. I still adore my chocolate Roxy and it's not been so great here that everyone would think "she's got the It bag from 2 years ago".

* Chanel reissue in black. No CC's, great distressed leather,can look anything from punky to very chic.

[pseub]

Ferragamo Marisa.

[Janinevs]

Bottega Veneta.

[Blair Waldorf]

I second Bottega. Also, any of the mid-range designers like Goldenbleu and Hayden-Harnett will give you beautiful, unostentatious bags for less money.

[epi-curean]

How about an LV epi? I like LV but some of their styles are too obvious. I have a black epi that looks great, is easy to care for and recognized by only those who know bags well.

[oo_let_me_see]

I say balenciaga!

[KatsBags]

Bottega Veneta

[boxermom]

Without a price range, the choices are unlimited. The names that come to mind for me are: Bottega Veneta (my fave), some of the Chanels, Ferragamo. Less expensive--Cole Haan is a great bag for the money with a wide range of styles and very nice leather.

[jli86]

Thanks girls for the great suggestions! I think I really need three bags - one for everyday use at work, a more casual one for the weekend, and a larger one with a shoulder strap to carry documents when I go on business trips. I don't like swapping things in and out all the time, so the "one colored bag for every outfit" game is not for me. I also would like the bags to be as light as possible.
I used to think spending $1000 on a bag is ridiculous but I guess I'm falling in the trap like so many girls!

[MassLaw15]

Not so "LOOK AT ME" bags that I have & LOVE:

Chanel Cerf in Black Caviar leather
LV Epi Lussac
LV Damier Chelsea

Good luck!

[gloss_gal]

Based on your price requirement I would suggest you look at Ferragamo, Lamberston Truex, Tods, Kate Spade. All have something classic and understated. Good luck!