As many of you know I have quite the handbag vice (don't we all, hee-hee?). My vice is not like most women's though because the bags that I have are much more expensive than others. So a little over a year ago I declared to my very-nervous-that-I-was-going-to-bankrupt-myself-on-handbags-bf that I was officially done with designer bags for a good long time. I must say that I have been doing fabulous. I have only received 3 bags since that time and 2 were gifts (my white Anouk from the bf and my adorable bronze Express wristlet from Vanessa) and the other I was lucky enough to win from a raffle that a boutique here in Chicago had (my tan Luella East-West Giselle). The only other bags that I have that I use with any frequency are my black MJ Sophia and my black Fendi baguette.
So, now that the Anouk and my Luella are going into hibernation for the fall and winter (I use them primarily in the spring and summer) and I am busting out the Sophia again I am left longing for the ultimate fall handbag. I have fallen in love with this bag from BR and it is only $198. I also have $30 in GC for Banana and I can put it on my BR card so I will get points for it. Does this really count as a designer handbag? It is quite beautiful and I know that I would get a ton of use out of it with all of the fab brown outfits I have planned for fall. Not to mention that I would really only be paying $168 with the GCs. What do we think??
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"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln
I am going to be the lone voice of dissent, I think. I was looking at this in the store the other day, and I just was not impressed with the quality. When I pulled the zipper, it snagged a bit - it didn't open smoothly at all. The lining didn't feel very lush, and the leather didn't have the soft, buttery quality I would expect for that price. Maybe it was just the one I was looking at, but I really was not impressed. For $168 I think you could do better.
But, I also just think BR is getting a little "above themselves" with some of their prices and products lately, and I have never had good luck with any of their accessories: broken buckles, snapped clasps, separating seams, etc. So maybe I'm prejudiced.
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Forget, forgive, conclude, and be agreed. - Shakespeare
I bought that BR bag when it first came out in both the cognac and mushroom (ivory) colors but I ended up returning both because I was really disappointed. I agree with Lisa that the zipper was really rough - it didn't operate smoothly and thats so important for me b/c I would be using the zipper all the time. Plus it had some threads coming loose on the seams and the cut edges of the leather were rough and stringy -- it just didn't look as nice IRL as it did on the website. Maybe they're not all like that, but the 2 I ordered were! hth.
I'm in the "get it" camp. I have this bag in the Cognac color and I really love it and I've received so many compliments on it. I agree with the other girls that it's not the best made bag I've ever seen but for $168 (I also had a discount when I purchased it) you really can't beat it. Not to mention you acutally need a new fall bag. I guess if you're buying this bag to last forever this isn't really the bag for you but if you're just looking for a nice bag to use through the fall/winter I think this is the perfect one.
As you may know, I am a designer bag junkie too.. I own 3 MJs, a Gucci, a BCBG, a Burberry, 3-4 Coach, a DKNY and a Kenneth Cole.
I would not get this bag if I were you. I am sorry that I feel in love with these expensive bags, because now that I have bought them, I can NEVER go back. The quality is so amazing on all of mine.. and sounds like your too. I dont think that I can go back to "an everyday nice, bag". Its just not the same. I'm afraid you will be disappointed by the quality of this bag. Even if you just invest in one designer bag every year or every other. I think that is much better than buying several bags that aren't fall-over amazingly gorgeous. This is JMO though. Let us know what you decide!
Farrah, As you may know, I am a designer bag junkie too.. I own 3 MJs, a Gucci, a BCBG, a Burberry, 3-4 Coach, a DKNY and a Kenneth Cole. I would not get this bag if I were you. I am sorry that I feel in love with these expensive bags, because now that I have bought them, I can NEVER go back. The quality is so amazing on all of mine.. and sounds like your too. I dont think that I can go back to "an everyday nice, bag". Its just not the same. I'm afraid you will be disappointed by the quality of this bag. Even if you just invest in one designer bag every year or every other. I think that is much better than buying several bags that aren't fall-over amazingly gorgeous. This is JMO though. Let us know what you decide!
Impressive collection my dear:). When I think of my collection: 2 MJs, a Luella, a Coach, 2 Prada, a DKNY and a Fendi the idea of a BR bag does seem like I am selling myself short, but I feel like if I buy a different bag it is going to be the chocolate Bulga that I am dying for and that is over $200 more. It really isn't that much more when you think about it, but I am dying for this pair of new TR's for fall that are also $260 so that is like that whole pair of jeans.
Oh woe is me...
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"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln
but I feel like if I buy a different bag it is going to be the chocolate Bulga that I am dying for and that is over $200 more. It really isn't that much more when you think about it, but I am dying for this pair of new TR's for fall that are also $260 so that is like that whole pair of jeans. Oh woe is me...
Hmmmm Farrah, if you use the 30% off girlshop code....the chocolate bulga becomes:
= 475-142 = 333 (compared to the BR $168 - only $165 more)
= 465 - 139 = 326 (compared to the BR $168 - only $158 more)
I am only trying to make this harder on you, and I apologize.
Farrah wrote: but I feel like if I buy a different bag it is going to be the chocolate Bulga that I am dying for and that is over $200 more. It really isn't that much more when you think about it, but I am dying for this pair of new TR's for fall that are also $260 so that is like that whole pair of jeans. Oh woe is me... Hmmmm Farrah, if you use the 30% off girlshop code....the chocolate bulga becomes: I am only trying to make this harder on you, and I apologize.
Oh dear god woman you really are making this hard!! When is the girlshop code good until?
-- Edited by Farrah at 15:26, 2005-09-16
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"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln
Oh dear god woman you really are making this hard!! When is the girlshop code good until?-- Edited by Farrah at 15:26, 2005-09-16
I deleted the original email after I wrote down the code: DCGIRLSHOP, so I don't know when it expires
But I vote for you to go Bulga all the way. I ordered the large tote in chocolate (I ended up returning b/c I got the kooba sienna instead), but I will tell you that the leather is the softest leather I have even felt. It was amazing. And the BR bag's leather was disappointing to me IRL. Sorry to make you spend more money, but I think you will ultimately be happier with the Bulga.
Farrah wrote: Impressive collection my dear:). I am not proud! It has taken several years and I am still paying on those credit cards! It is a tough choice.. "Woe is me" is exactly right! Tara makes a good point.. The bulgas are NOT that much more money with those codes!
Oooh ouch! I actually do not have cc debt so that is not the issue. I am just trying to save for my future:).
BTW, I know she makes a good point - I am resisting taking the cc out of my wallet right now...
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"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln
I think you should get the Banana bag - it's not expensive and you have gift cards. Plus, it doesn't count as a designer bag - the Bulga does count as a designer bag and IMO, $165 more is still $165 more. You could put that money towards the TR's you want. I think the Banana bag is beautiful too.
I wanted that BR bag at one time. But after I saw it in person, I was so disappointed with the quality. The leather wasn't as soft as I thought it would be. For $198, I was expecting so much better. But then again, maybe I had high hopes.
Anyways, I think the two Bulgas that Tara posted are much better. They may be a little more than what you hoped to be paying, but I think you will be a lot happier with them in the long run. I think they are beautiful bags.
Farrah-I'm in the Bulga camp-It's not like buying the MJ's, Prada's or Fendi. It's basically buying one *great* bag for the price of 2 BR which are not sounding all that great.