I think Brahmin make gorgeous high quality bags. I have only seen them at Macys so far. They actually featured one in the January Allure Fashion spread along with other high end bags ( ie Mulberry). Just because it is not considered premier here doesn't make it premier in the real world. Personally, I find the fact that it is not very popular makes it more exclusive. One from that brand is definitely on my wish list someday.
Shallow..but honest. Need advice on Brahmin bag
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The Brahmin bag you like is gorgeous, but, I would caution that if you're having any doubt right now, you should probably follow your instincts and pass on this one. I'm like you. I really don't care what other people think of my bags, especially since many people probably don't even recognize some of my favorites that I carry, like Ferragamo and Tods. But, I get such a good feeling when I go out with one my expensive, designer bags and I just feel special. After years of using only LV, Gucci, Ferragamo and Tods, I fell in love with a leather Coach bag and after much debate (I was having the same feelings that I think you're having right now) I decided to buy it. I used it for a couple of months, but soon realized that it just didn't give me that special feeling, and it somehow seemed inferior to my other bags, so now it sits in my closet unused. A total waste of over $500.
This is going to sound horrible...but ever since I made the mistake of buying that Coach bag, I won't even consider any bag under the $1000 mark. I feel like anything less just isn't worthy of adding to my collection, no matter who the designer is or how well made the bag is.
Good luck with your decision!
This is going to sound horrible...but ever since I made the mistake of buying that Coach bag, I won't even consider any bag under the $1000 mark. I feel like anything less just isn't worthy of adding to my collection, no matter who the designer is or how well made the bag is.
Good luck with your decision!
To outsiders, we probably all sound a little crazy saying things like that out loud, but we all appear to know exactly where you're coming from! I won't even look at bags under a certain price point anymore TBH, because I feel the same way - it just doesn't "do" it for me. It always ends up being a waste of money.
BTW, Swezfamily, sell that Coach bag you're not using. (You know you never will.) Save the funds for your next bag!
(That's exactly what happened with the last Coach bag I bought; I won't do that again.)
BTW, Swezfamily, sell that Coach bag you're not using. (You know you never will.) Save the funds for your next bag!
(That's exactly what happened with the last Coach bag I bought; I won't do that again.)
I'm totally with you on that! BUT I love Brahmin as a brand. We're both from Boston, so that helps, but also their moc crocs, and such, are the best of the mocs! That's something to like.
I'd say they're respected but not overdone, both good.
That said, sadly I haven't bought one yet. Perhaps priorities partially with names is mostly to blame. Also when I used to shop more intently considering them, and when I had more money, I may have not found the one that screamed "perfection". I'll use that as an excuse, haha.
I am name-brandy, sadly, and I also love Brahmin. I support and admire the carriers! I hope that helps.
Oh! BTW, that bag looks kind of even MORE fabulous than a Birkin. That's saying a lot. I love the Birkin look but they are very business in tone (which I love, and would love more if I worked in an office), and this has a *fabulous* tone. That's all I'm saying there. I gasped when I saw the photo!!! I've never seen anything like it.
*Add*
Unlike some of you, even though less expensive, I put Coach into the designer category. They're made well and high above their price, respected or thought of as designer by everyone around ME, I LOVE how the ones I'm drawn to (a lot of them) look, and they're fun to wear. I just don't enjoy them depending on where I am GOING that day - Boca = premier or at least this particular Coach Madison I'm proud of somehow. (Unless it's to see the inlaws-to-be.) Other times or places, I really feel Coach gives me the special feeling. I don't want to often soar above my "peers" - I want to equal them. (Fair enough?)
I'll tell you, I can't stand having to dress down, say for a trip to a car lot. LOL. When I WANT to look poor and wear that lone KVZ (I know I know). It's the only one of hers I liked, back in the day of wanting to collect many, many brands. It IS falling apart a little though!
I do still like my Mulberry for Target, so that is my #1 cheap bag, haha. We'll see how long that lasts. Someday, I'd like the Alexa - I prefer that to Bayswater even though the MfT is like a small version. It's like a big evening bag, which I love. (And my cost per wear for evening is high!)
Honestly, most of my $1k+ and LV bags just aren't a joy to wear, in a physical comfort sense, or I can't bring them in the rain, and it rains here SO much and SO unexpectedly or MOST days, most of the year! That or they're just HEAVY or don't have a shoulder strap (I'm NOT asking for LONG straps--hate them. I love like 7" handles for my petite frame, it's common). Ugh, I'm OVER heavy bags, excluding MJ lol (still can't wear them) (but I'll go for short shoulder straps from now on unless it's a new Stam, mmmm). NO new Paddies & selling all but one! I don't even wear that one and it WAS my favorite for years. I also am sad I don't like carrying my Luella. Oh well, I'll keep it always, still.
My new MK is spoiling me with its lightness, too. (And soft! AND so many pockets!)
I CAN endorse Dior, at least, so far! Next $1k+ will be Balenciaga. We'll see about how I love that. I know I need one someday, so NO talking me out of it no matter WHAT. Haha.
I'd say they're respected but not overdone, both good.
That said, sadly I haven't bought one yet. Perhaps priorities partially with names is mostly to blame. Also when I used to shop more intently considering them, and when I had more money, I may have not found the one that screamed "perfection". I'll use that as an excuse, haha.
I am name-brandy, sadly, and I also love Brahmin. I support and admire the carriers! I hope that helps.
Oh! BTW, that bag looks kind of even MORE fabulous than a Birkin. That's saying a lot. I love the Birkin look but they are very business in tone (which I love, and would love more if I worked in an office), and this has a *fabulous* tone. That's all I'm saying there. I gasped when I saw the photo!!! I've never seen anything like it.
*Add*
Unlike some of you, even though less expensive, I put Coach into the designer category. They're made well and high above their price, respected or thought of as designer by everyone around ME, I LOVE how the ones I'm drawn to (a lot of them) look, and they're fun to wear. I just don't enjoy them depending on where I am GOING that day - Boca = premier or at least this particular Coach Madison I'm proud of somehow. (Unless it's to see the inlaws-to-be.) Other times or places, I really feel Coach gives me the special feeling. I don't want to often soar above my "peers" - I want to equal them. (Fair enough?)
I'll tell you, I can't stand having to dress down, say for a trip to a car lot. LOL. When I WANT to look poor and wear that lone KVZ (I know I know). It's the only one of hers I liked, back in the day of wanting to collect many, many brands. It IS falling apart a little though!
I do still like my Mulberry for Target, so that is my #1 cheap bag, haha. We'll see how long that lasts. Someday, I'd like the Alexa - I prefer that to Bayswater even though the MfT is like a small version. It's like a big evening bag, which I love. (And my cost per wear for evening is high!)
Honestly, most of my $1k+ and LV bags just aren't a joy to wear, in a physical comfort sense, or I can't bring them in the rain, and it rains here SO much and SO unexpectedly or MOST days, most of the year! That or they're just HEAVY or don't have a shoulder strap (I'm NOT asking for LONG straps--hate them. I love like 7" handles for my petite frame, it's common). Ugh, I'm OVER heavy bags, excluding MJ lol (still can't wear them) (but I'll go for short shoulder straps from now on unless it's a new Stam, mmmm). NO new Paddies & selling all but one! I don't even wear that one and it WAS my favorite for years. I also am sad I don't like carrying my Luella. Oh well, I'll keep it always, still.
My new MK is spoiling me with its lightness, too. (And soft! AND so many pockets!)
I CAN endorse Dior, at least, so far! Next $1k+ will be Balenciaga. We'll see about how I love that. I know I need one someday, so NO talking me out of it no matter WHAT. Haha.
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I have recently gotten over my snobbery too and am so happy to have done so! I downgraded to Furla because I got one bag and found that I carried it a lot more than my more expensive ones, the quality was so good and I was not afraid of ruining it. You can really change your mind if you want to. You are not going to be a better person if you carry Valentino. I used to the same way but I did not feel better from it, what makes me feel good is carrying a beautiful, well made bag which is of superb quality and actually more peopple have complimented me on my Furlas than my more expensive ones and I see people looking at them when I take public transport. You know honestly a handmade bag made in Italy that I can get for 300 on sale or 500 at regular price is nothing I would be ashamed of and nothing you should be ashamed of either. The Brahmin bag you are eyeing is simply stunning and quote honestly I prefer it to Valentino but that may just be me. Depends on your priorities in life too.
UPDATE:
So I bought the Brahmin bag from ebay and I love it!! It is just as beautiful in person as it was in the pictures. (link to auction for reference): http://cgi.ebay.com/325-Brahmin-Ado...725?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item3cb3d51fc5
Then I was snooping around the Marc Jacobs forum and stumbled upon this bag:
http://www.bonanza.com/items/search...k&q[filter_category_id]=&q[sort_by]=relevancy
Now I am really heart broken. I like patchwork/quilting as much as I like croc and it is a black satchel I was looking for...in my price range....with a premier designer's name! Honestly, I can't tell how I feel about it. Part of me says I like it more than the Brahmin (but I think that is the label snob in me talking). The rational part of me thinks the Brahmin bag is just as stylish if not more so. The first voice is telling me to buy this MJ and I will have 2 black satchels. The second and more rational voice is telling me to pass because I already have a beautiful new bag and name shouldn't matter.
What do I do???
So I bought the Brahmin bag from ebay and I love it!! It is just as beautiful in person as it was in the pictures. (link to auction for reference): http://cgi.ebay.com/325-Brahmin-Ado...725?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item3cb3d51fc5
Then I was snooping around the Marc Jacobs forum and stumbled upon this bag:
http://www.bonanza.com/items/search...k&q[filter_category_id]=&q[sort_by]=relevancy
Now I am really heart broken. I like patchwork/quilting as much as I like croc and it is a black satchel I was looking for...in my price range....with a premier designer's name! Honestly, I can't tell how I feel about it. Part of me says I like it more than the Brahmin (but I think that is the label snob in me talking). The rational part of me thinks the Brahmin bag is just as stylish if not more so. The first voice is telling me to buy this MJ and I will have 2 black satchels. The second and more rational voice is telling me to pass because I already have a beautiful new bag and name shouldn't matter.
What do I do???
I just got my Brahmin wallet, and I was dissapointed, it feel kind of "cheapie" 
on second thought, the quality matches the price I paid, so I can't really ask for a wallet less than $100 to have premium designer quality (which I had been using).
On the other hand, I do have a MJ in patchwork design, and I absolutely loving it, the quality are excellent, it's MADE IN ITALY, need I say more?
on second thought, the quality matches the price I paid, so I can't really ask for a wallet less than $100 to have premium designer quality (which I had been using).
On the other hand, I do have a MJ in patchwork design, and I absolutely loving it, the quality are excellent, it's MADE IN ITALY, need I say more?
I am attracted to the high end bags, too. I admit that I like some of the mid range bags, but after buying a couple of them and not really using them I will just stick with what I love. One thing I will say is I only buy a bag when it is on sale and consignment sellers and ebay have allowed me to have some really nice high end bags at a fraction of the cost.
Honestly, only you can know how happy you are with the bag. I think that the Brahmin bag is GORGEOUS and oh so unique that I am eyeing the bag. I am a bag lover that only buys mid end brands b/c to me the higher priced bags are just too scary for me. Scary in the sense that if anything were to happen to them I would be crushed.
I switch bags daily or weekly and a high end brand woudl only sit in the closet and so not worth it to me. As long as the design and quality are top notch, who cares about the so called name?
I have a MJ bag that retailed for over 1K (I got it for MUCh less) and the leather is quite thin and not worthy of the price tag even if it was MJ. If you love the bag tehn be happy with it, if not then get the one that will make you happy.
I switch bags daily or weekly and a high end brand woudl only sit in the closet and so not worth it to me. As long as the design and quality are top notch, who cares about the so called name?
I have a MJ bag that retailed for over 1K (I got it for MUCh less) and the leather is quite thin and not worthy of the price tag even if it was MJ. If you love the bag tehn be happy with it, if not then get the one that will make you happy.
I just bought the Brahmin Melbourne Anita in black at Nordies today...it will arrive in the mail. I'm having second thoughts, though...the croc leather looks awesome, but it is not a high end designer. I do have to agree that I was looking for a bag I could throw around and not worry about in the rain--a utilitarian handbag that's done up. It is a gorgeous bag, though...we'll see when it comes if I end up returning it! Take a look and let me know what you think! Our Nordies didn't have it in stock, so I couldn't feel it before buying it .
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/brahmin...obo/3143954?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=0
.http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/brahmin...obo/3143954?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=0
Don't torture yourself over this. They look very different IMO. Which one matches your style most? Sounds like the Brahmin to me. I think it is gorgeous. I think TPF sometimes contributes to our name brand issues. I've had to step back & reassess my values a bit. Quality & style should be priority.
You don't seem to be anywhere near the minority when it comes to premiere designer loyalty. At least 95 percent of reveals and other showcases here on TPF have been just that- premiere designers. Either people are just shy to show off their less praised or costly bags, just don't have/buy them, or think they're not worthy of showing off.
