I just joined the forum because I was looking for a new purse. I'm not really into purses but obviously do like them.
First I bought one at Brighton. Didn't like how it felt on my shoulder so I returned it. Then I saw Sears had replicas for $40, was I glad I returned that bag.
Then I bought a
Coach--the new Hampton vintage leather Hobo in cognac ($498) at Nordstroms. I returned it the next day because for $500 there was no zipper or even magnet snaps in the top, I felt like if I was on a plane and put my bag under the seat, good-bye stuff. Also this was my first coach bag and I wasn't too impressed to see "made in china" stamped right on it.
Then I went to Nordstroms and bought "secret love" (Francesco Biasia) in black with sort of antique gold hardware. Now THAT is a beautiful bag!!! inside and out, plenty of room and feels great to carry ($335). It's a tad larger than I'm used to but the next lower size looked a bit small so I think I'll keep it. IMHO it is constructed so much better than the coach I returned there is no comparison for the price. That really nice Italian leather --I actually like it better than any bag I've seen (and I've shopped pretty much every store in Chicago's Michigan avenue and Orange County South Coast plaza). Although my limit was not spending over $1,000.
OK so after reading this thread I don't feel so guilty about what I did next. I went to Nordstroms in LA to locate the "glamour girl" in cognac (almost like secret love) and am now hiding the package so my DH doesn't see it. I liked the construction, look, stying, feel, roominess, etc so much better than ANYTHING I've seen (with the exception of the $1500 Feragamao bags) that I just needed a brown version of that bag. There's just "something" about these bags I fell in love with (maybe something about the Italian leather cause my last few bags were purchased in Italy).
Also--you don't see anybody carrying these bags and I hate to have the same thing as everyone else. Can't vouch for how long they will wear but the construction looks impeccable to me at this point--something I definitely couldn't say for couch.
Glad to see there are other people who've fallen for these bags.