After frightening you with 5 figure crocodile bags that rival your yearly mortgage, I thought we should look at a few bags that won't render you husband-less or homeless. I looked for bags that were both cheap and chic and was surprised at all the options I came up with! I thought it would be hard considering what a snob I am but I have to admit, there is a great selection of bags for the under $500 market right now. Designers are finally realizing that Bag Snobs come in all shapes and budgets!
1. Marc by Marc Jacobs Softy Special Edition Aline Bag is as snob worthy as any Marc Jacobs bags out there but at a fraction of the price, $458 to be exact. The pale metallic gold leather is fab as are the Marc signature pockets. Available at Shopbop
2. Cole Haan 'Village' Triple Zip Satchel got my attention with its curved lines and contrasting stitching. Its price points are similar to Coach, without the heinous canvas logos. This one is a no brainer at $375.
3. Dautore from Brazil is a new fave of mine, it takes cheap and chic to a whole new level with its girly patch pocket handbag. Its sloping curves are flirty and fun, a bag that can take you from work to happy hour seamlessly. I love the milk color but I am sure the basic black will appeal to our sensible snobs.
Dautore Handbags Gathered Pocket Handbag $394 at shopbop.com
4. MICHAEL Michael Kors Large Patent Satchel is simple but stylish, no one would ever guess it only costs $398! The distressed gray patent leather is young and fun not to mention totally "in". I also love the very subtle and very small hardware logo (it's like a centimeter long, so perfect!) For you young Bag Snobs who constantly ask me for a snob worthy designer bag, this is it for you! At eLuxury.
5. Lauren Merkin Dylan Bag.
Lauren Merkin has never interested me but the retro '70s Dylan bag is really groovy. Made of distressed lambskin (which means it's butter soft and ultra lightweight) in the season's must have color, steel gray, this is a bag you can not pass up. I am loving the long braided strap that can be worn long or short, it's all about versatility! The interior is also very functional with 7" pocket and two patch pockets for your iPhone. Again, at $375 it is a major steall! At shopbop.com .
The Marc by MJ, Cole Haan and Michael Kors bags are rather Tod's like - simple and classy, but without the costly price tags of course. Grey is the new must have colour? Fab, as I'm loving all the greys - dove grey, steel grey, bronze grey etc.
Oh my, I am loving that Marc Jacobs bag.
I had already spotted the Cole Haan at Nordstrom and I loved it! It is nice to have my cheap but chic taste affirmed in your article. I do wish that the Cole Haan bag came in more colors though.
D'Autore bags are good, great quality and the price is ok (much cheaper here, though).
Thank-you, Tina, for posting these bags which are not only gorgeous(as is usual of bags on Bag Snob) but also economical. I can actually afford one of these! Heck, I could get 2! My favorite is the Michael Kors. Thanks again.
thanks for this post! as much as i adore ogling all the hermes and bottega, i always appreciate it when you post chic, less expensive bags like these!
What a great selection of inexpensive bags! Thank you for putting this together. I love the Marc and Michael bags. I can get both at these prices!
bravo, snobs! i'm happy to see designer purses go the way of the democracy of jeans (and well designed, but lower priced lines for all). my price resistance for purses has definitely gotten higher, but i'm happy to see that good, chic and cheaper finds can be had... it's all about design and quality, not what your next $3K can buy you.
I LOOOOOVE the Cole Haan gunmetal satchel! I ordered mine just a few minutes ago thanks to you.
Thanks for the post, I am loving the Dautore milk color too.
That Marc Jacobs is AB FAB! I'm already stashing my pocket change in the side pockets...and the subdued color is nice too, just shiny enough to be trendy but not in-your-face.
Nice choices!
Just a word of warning, the Cole Haan satchel (though gorgeous) is REALLY big, almost more like a carry on bag. There's a smaller version for $275 here: http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?productId=147561&categoryId=306193&productGroup
Cole Haan is IMO one of the more underrated brands out there. The materials and workmanship are on par with much more expensive bags.
snobulous choices as always bag snobs! I especially love the kors and lauren merkin - am thinking of getting one. or, at these prices, both!
Great choices! I would so much rather see people carry one of these than a fake high-end bag ANY DAY! I love the gray patent MK bag! Good find. I have been eying the Dautore for awhile, even saw one in a great sapphire blue that I kick myself for not grabbing! Great job! Thanks for showing that you can be a bag snob without having to blow your mortgage.
Please do more posts like this! With your Bag Snob eyes, and our Poor Snob budgets...we can use this marvelous combination of Champagne taste on a beer budget.
Good idea Elizabeth.. perhaps we should make this a weekly thing? I'll start looking :)
xo
Thanks for this post. I am still summoning up the courage to bust out my latest $1800 Chanel buy and not have my husband throw me out of the house. This will help offset the shock, eventually. :)
Thank you for this post. I love bag design, but I'm just not at a place where I can justify paying over $1,000 for a bag. If you do any follow ups in the future, you might include a selection from Hobo International. Their fall line has some really beautiful profiles. Simple and elegant, and extremely affordable. I'm pleasantly surprised with some of the things they've come out with in the last month or so. Thanks again!
YUCK! I think I will stick to shelling out a few extra hundred for a better looking bag. no offense. ☺