Handbag Deal breakers Thread

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Great idea for a thread!

1. Large logos
2. Monogrammed bags
3. Patent leather
4. Bags that are heavy while there's nothing in it -- I have a lot of stuff and to lug those around with a heavy bag would just be bad!
5. Tiny bags (exception: the occasional evening clutch)
6. No pockets or just one pocket inside -- I love pockets!
7. Suede -- I'm just hopeless with it
 
Hm... I am not so sure what my deal breakers are anymore! I used to hate bags that had gold hardware... now I love either.. I used to only use shoulder bags... now I can tolerate a hand carry bag... it's actually better on my back!... and third, no inside organization, or little organization... pursekets can fix that!

Ditto. I do have one pet peeve though: patent leather. I might make exceptions though but I haven't seen anything patent yet that i like.
 
I've been trying to think of my 'deal breakers' since I first read this thread, but amusingly enough I actually can't think of any that don't have exceptions.

I'd say that I don't like logo bags (I'm thinking of the Dior saddle when I say this) but I have a speedy LV monogram.

I'd say that I don't like small bags, but I have a clutch that's shaped like a shell, made entirely of silver and smaller than the size of my hand with my fingers outstretched.

I don't like cheap-looking bags, but what one person thinks is cheap-looking, another thinks is luxurious... so that's hardly a measure, is it?

I think I can pretty safely say I don't like the use of acrylic on bags... but it would seem you never know.

Evidentally, I'll consider anything!
 
Mine...I won't buy a bag with any of this stuff no matter how much I love it.

Plastic Zippers- A lot of high-end bags will use a nice metal zipper on the outside, but then put cheap plastic zippers on the inside pockets. Can't stand cheap plastic zippers!

Monogram/signature anything

Anything with fringe, fur, studs or metallics

Bags made in China, India, etc... using cheap labor and poor labor standards
 
easy open & close. i hate flaps that go over the top - too hard to get into, but i have several Coach Alis because I love the way they look, but rarely carry them because i don't like dealing with "the flap"
No inside pocket - almost a deal breaker but if i LOVE LOVE LOVE The bag i'll still buy it
No outside pocket (exception being an open top like a tote) - as another poster said. gotta have a quick stash for keys, phone, etc
bag needs to be able to stand up when set down
monogram, w/exception of my Coach Ali
 
I think we all have certain things we look for in a bag, and I guess I don't really even look at bags that don't catch my attention right away...

However, after I've seen a great bag, there are definitely two things that will turn me off:

1. Lack of inside pockets, and (I know some of you MJ fans are going to blast me).

2. The "faux pushlocks" on many of the MJ bags...for instance, I love a Capra or an Alyona but that little "tab" thing not attached to a pocket or a strap just bothers me. Seems like it's kind of an afterthought or something, and I wonder if it would curl over time and with use. Crazy, I know, but you have to love it if you're going to invest that kind of money in a bag!
 
My dealbreakers for sure:

1. Cheapo Gold tone hardware.
2, Cheapo Silver tone hardware.
3. Dangly-dangly cutsie stuff hanging off bags that clink and clank when you walk. Reminds me of one of those sideshow one-man band instruments.
4. Bags with logos all over them.
 
Great thread! Mine are:

One pocket. I carry an EpiPen. I don't want to have to remember which pocket I put it in on any chance that I need it. I've tried multiple pockets and I can never remember where I put it.
Anything furry. If I can pet it and it can potentially shed on me, I don't want it. If I want that, I'll get a dog.
Chain handles.
Hits in the "wrong" place when over my shoulder.
In your face logos/charms.
Patent.
Too big metallic.
 
My big no-no's:
- big gold hardware
- expensive bags that look/feel cheap
- big logos from any designer besides high-end ones, like Coach or D&B -- the only Coach bag I have has zero logos, anywhere on the outside
- and that naturally segues into my total hatred of LAMB bags. I find them tacky, trendy, and overpriced. Oh yeah, and ugly.
- big splashy logos like the CCs on the Cambon bags - ech
- LV Murikami - is that what those multicolored ones were called? Blech. A $1200 bag should not look like a cartoon character vomited on it.

Any bag needs to be comfortable on the shoulder. Hand held bags are a pain in the ass - the only exception is the LV Speedy, because it's so classic, I make an exception. My LV Cabas Piano? The leather base is wide and stiff and is actually really uncomfortable to carry.

Heavy I don't mind, after falling in love with Chloe. However, I must really adore a bag to put up with a lot of weight. If my Chloe is full, my shoulder is practically numb after a long day of use!
 
Great thread.
Oversized designs especially the hardware. Looks cartoonish and cheap to me.
Outside pockets bug me, no thanks.
Shoulder bags must be able to carry cross body or on arm as well, I can only to carry a bag a half hour on shoulder.
If there are pockets inside they need to be big. Those bitty organizing pockets are not for me, I change bags daily.
 
If it's an arm or hand bag. It's annoying and makes it so hard to fish out things you need compared to when you have a tote or shoulder bag. That's why convertibles are the way to go. Like Balenciagas. Exceptions? Maybe the LV Speedy and some frame satchels.


marni-oversized-hobo-modeled.jpg




Also, huge, shapeless things like that Marni bag above. No offense to Marni fans I'm just using this bag for 'looks' reference. Unless it's a medium-sized hobo where my whole arm CANNOT fit into it, forget it. Perfect size would be the MbMJ Dr. Q Hillier hobo.

Very thin fabric (especially satin!) linings. Unless it's a bag I bought to schlep things around I wouldn't get it.

Anything too wide to carry under my arms. Like the Dr. Groovee satchel although it'd be perfect for me as an overnighter since I'm not that tall.
 
No matter how much I like a design at first, things that will make me put the bag right back down are:

- Contrast stitching. Hate it, especially white thread on black leather. Blarg.
- Side (end?) pockets that stick out. I don't mind flap pockets on the front or back, just hate it on the sides.
- Straps that won't stay on the shoulder
- Overly complicated openings. A simple zip, button or snap is fine. I don't need a zipper, flap going over, magnetic snap, AND a turnlock all at once.
 
Now only we could email this to the people that makes bags to get our dream bag!

I agree with you all but have to add I like feet on my satchels. I just feel they add something to the bag. Hate zippers that seperate at the end, I have a Coach Hamptons that does this and because of that I never zip it and only use it still because it's a great shade of red.
 
I love reading that so many of the things that irritate me also irritate others. Now we just need to get the designers to pay attention! My list includes:

Bags described as 'shoulder' bags with a 5-6" strap drop. I don't bother picking up anything that doesn't appear to have a decent shoulder drop.

Openings that are smaller than the rest of the bag such that you have to wrestle a full size wallet to get it out despite the fact that it fits in the bottom.

Anything with an all/mostly chain handle.

Quilting. (No Chanel for me with those two, eh?)

Lack of an exterior pocket (this used to be a 100% dealbreaker but I am mellowing if there's a place for my keys, and am learning to use a purse organizer).

Giant exterior nameplates as a design -- here's looking at you Marc, Kate, Fendi.

Also agree on horrid side saddlebags -- no woman wants to look wider from the side. No one.
 
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