The best VALUE and BANG-FOR-YOUR-BUCK bags

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#16
creighbaby said:
I have loads of bags, but honestly, my bang-for-the-buck bag is my cloth shopping bag. I use it at the grocery store, gym and when sometimes as a purse if I'm carrying loads of items. They are usually free at some event or other, and friends and family members give me them too. I don't have to worry about it getting dirty or treating it like a precious commodity because it can just be thrown in the wash at the end of the week.
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ITA! I use my husband's freebie cloth bag to carry a big binder and hard drive back to my work! It's the ultimate bang-for-your-buck when you didn't have to give up the buck, KWIM?

But I think that for me, bags that would fit the category for a middle class person looking for max value in bags are 1) Cole Haan 2) Coach leather bags and on the higher end 3) Belen Echandia.

I agree with the OP that the low low and high high are not good value, at least from my perspective someone who is middle class with some money to spare, but not loads of it.
 
#17
I just bought a new BR bag yesterday (see siggie), so I am going to throw a vote their way. :tup: I have a BR leather tote from 2005 and it *still* gets compliments almost every time I wear it. They hold up, are well-crafted and the leather gets better with age. No guilt or sadness over a bit of marker or gum on it either. I've gone to town with leather cleaner on my tote and is no worse for it.

Price cannot be beat if you find a good set of stackable codes too.

My only complaint is that this season is a bit too knock-offy including the one I have on the way. :shame:
 
#18
I think Tano bags are super durable and fun and the prices can't be beat! I also consider RM to be a great value - her bags are very luxurious and well made and the prices are definitely reasonable for the quality you're gettin!
 
#19
Tano definitely! That's my favorite cheaper range bag. I have 3 pieces from tano. Hayden Harnett is nice too.

For mid range I like RM. I'm going onto a third RM now. They definitely have nice leather and function. I also like Jenny Yuen.

For a big higher end I like Gryson (nice suede lining and quality) and definitely want a BE one day.

I don't think any bag is worth over a 1,000 though. I doubt materials and labor are worth that much and would never spend over that unless I was super rich, but at this point in my life, it's totally not justifiable.. Except for maybe a Balenciaga when I'm richer hehe

I'll go against the grain and say my Speedy 25 was not worth the price and I don't consider that bang for my buck. I consider that more like a staple most people have, but the price isn't worth thin canvas (worse then a dooney I have) and a bit of vachetta. Quality is about the same as every other bag I have. I don't see anything superior in the name LV. I like it and wear it sometimes but compared to quality of RM for a cheaper price? Definitely not.
 
#20
Tano bags are without a doubt the best value and bang-for-your-buck bags I've found yet.

I have not found the quality (super chunky, sturdy hardware; great attention to detail with stitching; yummy colors with divine linings to match; interesting design/draws your eye) or the price ($160-$250) in any other bag out there.
 
#21
kbell said:
I recently purchased the MBMJ softy messenger. I have owned MBMJs in the past as well & have several MJ collection bags. I think the MBMJs are always priced great & they are quality. This new bag is also worry free - meaning I'm not afraid to use it in the rain/snow/sleet because the black pebbled leather is soft & durable & doesn't stain. I can use & abuse it without worry. All my past MBMJ bags have been like this as well. No loose stitching, no falling apart, durable nice leather, wears well, functional, fashionable & love the linings, nice hardware, great pricing = value to me.
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ITA! When I was writing this post, my first thought was MBMJ. Some of my favorite bags have come from this line, including the turnlock bowler, softy tote, and turnlock teri. The leather on all of those bags is just incredible; soft and pebbled, yet very strong and durable. The colors are fab too! Firebird red, Tea leaf green, and Ocean blue are some of my favorites. The workmanship is outstanding and these bags have tight, even stitching and are constructed of high quality materials. On a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of bang-for-buck-ness, I give MBMJ a 9/10!

Compass Rose said:
I think any bag by Cole Haan is a great value because if you look at the quality of the leather, the hardware and the stitching that is involved on all of their bags, you can't beat it for the money. I think when you pay their price, you are actually getting more than what you pay for. No offense to Andrew Marc people out there, but I was looking at an Andrew Marc bag the other day and I couldn't believe how cheapy cheapy it was made.....especially the interior lining. And the price on that bag was around $800. When I pay money, I expect to get quality......not just the name.
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Cole Haan is a great company who makes outstanding bags at a great price point. The leathers are luxe, the detailing minimal and classy, and the styles simple and elegant. Their styles work very well for work related purposes. However, I just cant bring myself to use a Cole Haan bag for anything other than work because IMO, they sometimes look too serious, KWIM? Overall, great value though! On my very biased scale, I'd give it a 7.5-8/10

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#22
Well, I gotta say Coach, because they last FOREVER. IMO any $250 bag that can still look like new after 10 years is a good deal! :yes:

I have an Elliott Lucca black pebbled leather satchel with gold hardware that I got at Off 5th for ~$100. I consider it a lot of bang for my buck, because it looks really fancy and luxurious. People always want to know what kind of bag it is and where I got it.

My HH blush Havana (as much grief as it's given me) was ~$120 and it's very unusual and stylish. HH bags at sample sale prices are a great value because it's a way to get an ultra hip, unique, smooshy leather bag for the same price as a boring mediocre bag...
 
#23
Francesco Biasia are good very quality for under $600, and so is Kooba though I like their older designs better. Another vote for Rebecca Minkoff, too-- I hope she doesn't get more expensive as she gets more popular.
 
#24
HitchcockBlonde said:
I vote for Rebecca Minkoff. Her retail prices are reasonable and you can usually get them on sale. She uses high-end leather at mid-end prices.

Am really hoping she doesn't increase prices one day, like similar brands (e.g. Botkier) have done. Because the bang-for-your-buck factor is the main reason why I purchase handbags and stay loyal to my favorite designers.

I also think MJ gives good value for your money if you can buy on sale -- MJ goes on sale frequently to the 600 range I think it's a great price for the materials, construction, and beauty of the bag.

Another really cute, nicely designed and constructed brand I like with good bang for your buck value is Lulu Guinness. :)
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I agree completely! MJ on sale translates to phenomenal values! I've bought a Venetia for a little over $500 and it is excellent in all capacities!

Rebecca Minkoff is also a great value. The big reasons for me are the OUTRAGEOUSLY soft, smooched out leather she uses, combined with the cool looking hardware which culminates in a fresh, slightly funky satchel that has a lot of classic appeal. Many of her designs can be worn for many many seasons without looking dated. I love the palette of colors too!
 
#25
I will agree with Coach. My first bag was Coach, and I still use it today. It has gone through a lot with me (my teenage years - being tossed around busses, cars, trips, work, going out, etc..) and it still is in good condition, and it still is a classic piece that goes with anything. And for just under $300, that is a price i am willing to pay for an everlasting bag!
 
#26
I vote Cole Haan.
The prices are great - and you can always find bags at off-price outlets like Off 5th and Last Call.
The leather is pretty good, the hardware and construction quality are great, and the designs are "classic" - not trendy at all, usually. So they are useable for a long time.
 
#29
kbell said:
I recently purchased the MBMJ softy messenger. I have owned MBMJs in the past as well & have several MJ collection bags. I think the MBMJs are always priced great & they are quality. This new bag is also worry free - meaning I'm not afraid to use it in the rain/snow/sleet because the black pebbled leather is soft & durable & doesn't stain. I can use & abuse it without worry. All my past MBMJ bags have been like this as well. No loose stitching, no falling apart, durable nice leather, wears well, functional, fashionable & love the linings, nice hardware, great pricing = value to me.
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I agree.

Although his MBMJ design aesthetic and mine aren't always eye-to-eye on bags his pieces that I own have held up amazingly well and excellent statement kbell.
 
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