"Entry-level" designer?

[Pursegrrl]

My first response is Coach, because it's a superb quality at a very reasonable price (even at regular price!).

If that's not your cup of tea, I echo the other posts to try Marc by Marc Jacobs, Juicy, DKNY. Check eluxury.com for sale items, and neimanmarcus.com, bergdorfgoodman.com.

Welcome and good luck with your search!

 

[purplekitty]

Welcome!!! I would go with Marc by Marc Jacobs bags or Kate Spade. Coach has come out with alot of new bags, so if you want, you could look in to those.

 

[ctm19]

Hobo International and Furla both make great handbags in your price range. Zappos has a good selection of both brands. Also, a friend of mine who had similar criteria to yours just bought a Monsac bag that she is very happy with.

 

[Prada Psycho]

Maxx New York makes very nice bags, most under $300. Nordstrom carries a small selection. Zappo's actually has the best selection I've seen. Have a look at my little bag webpage. I have a nice brown and very nice green Maxx NY bag. I just love them! I got the brown for around $285 and the green was $150. Both were on sale.
The Bag Lady's Corner

I also love my Brighton bags, check those out too. They run $200 and up. Most are below $300. Very well made bags

 

[ginaf20697]

I saw A LOT of really nice MaxxNY bags at Marshall's and TJMaxx today. I would definately check there. Plus they always have a lot of nice Italian leather bags there for good prices.

 

[Rose]

I would recommend Longchamp and Anya Hindmarch.

 

[Prada Psycho]

I saw A LOT of really nice MaxxNY bags at Marshall's and TJMaxx today. I would definately check there. Plus they always have a lot of nice Italian leather bags there for good prices.

Zappos has quite a few on sale right now. Super good prices on some of them.

 

[ashley_brook]

Coach is a great place to start!

 

[NancyDrew01]

I personally adore Betsey Johnson and Cynthia Rowley bags. I just picked up the oversized Betsey Good Girl for $250 from Loehmann's and that's the most I've ever paid for one of her bags, and I don't think I've ever paid more than $150 for a Cynthia Rowley. Both designers have cute, interesting takes on bags and all the things I've bought from them have held up really well. I have a two year old CR canvas and leather bag that I use at least 2-3 times a week that still looks like new.

Loehmann's has a website that usually has cute Marc by Marc Jacobs bags, along with CR and BJ.

 

[peach]

I'm not a huge Coach fan either. I'd go Kate Spade or Francesco Biasia to start.

 

[kristinKC]

Thank you for all the advice ladies. Now I have to go shop! I probably won't buy anything until next month, but I'll let you know if/when I do.

 

[Rose]

Thank you for all the advice ladies. Now I have to go shop! I probably won't buy anything until next month, but I'll let you know if/when I do.

Have fun, and welcome to PF

 

[SuLi]

I agree with a lot of the other suggestions already made - Marc by Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Longchamp, Michael by Michael Kors...etc.

I think you're best bet is to try a Nordstrom department store is there is one by you. A lot of the brands mentioned are carried there and also online at Nordstrom.com - Shop From Over 500 Brands. You might find some really great ideas from there.

 

[makeupmama]

my bag addiction started with coach and kate spade so i would recommend those two. but i must say francesco biasia has some cool stuff, too that's within your price range. happy bag hunting!