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Are expensive handbags better?

expensive handbags
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Are expensive handbags better?

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My well-regarded luggage repair shop in Vancouver recently told me that expensive handbags are just as prone to fall apart as the cheap ones. The shop is the go-to place for warranty repairs on major name brands of luggage, and is recommended by the major department stores (Holts, the Bay, etc) and name-brand boutiques (Tiffany et al) here in Vancouver. They told me that they see a lot of Prada and other very expensive brands in their shop.

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About the only reason an expensive designer bag might last longer is that you will tend to treat them better because of the price. High price is rarely an indication of durability. In fact, really expensive stuff can often be much more fragile, since they are made more for looks than for utility. Stay away from designer knock-offs, though. Since their whole reason for existence is to merely look like the real thing on-the-cheap, durability is rarely a factor in their construction. Your best bet would be to shop for more moderate-priced bags that feature sturdier construction.

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I have a friend that buys really expensive (> than US $1,000) purses, which she calls handbags (refuses to use the word purse for some reason). She treats them very gently and “retires” them after a few months so they don’t get damaged. I boughy my wife a Coach diaper bag (~$400) for Christmas that gets constant use (and abuse) but it still looks great 5 months later. She has a few other Coach purses that seem to hold up fine with daily use. I have a Filson leather satchel (~$500 when I bought it in 1993 but more now), which I use every day and it still looks great. I home my 1yo son will use it one day. Up to a certain point, more money can buy you greater quality. Above a certain point, you’re paying mostly for exclusivity and you probably don’t care about durability.

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I think that anything in real leather will last longer and wear better. I don’t think you need Coach, per se, but bags made of thicker leather with extra stitching at the seams, like theirs, will do the trick. I am pretty rough on all my possessions, so the key for me was getting a bag with pebbled leather (feels a little bumpy, does not scratch as easily). Mine is from Cleo & Patek, and I highly recommend it. A friend’s mom has a similar bag from them and it still looks new after 5 years of daily use. Mine is a year old and only has one scratch (personal record). Whatever brand you do buy, look for good pebbled leather and extra reinforcement around the seams and handles.

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One feature of an expensive handbag that can prolong its life: some manufacturers will repair or replace a handbag that doesn’t age well. My mother, desperate to replace her Stone Mountain bag, called them to ask for help locating a similar model. Stone Mountain offered to repair her bag free of charge. If I recall correctly, she paid shipping one way, and they sent her back a repaired handbag, polished and cleaned, and a complimentary bottle of leather cleaner. She’s now a lifelong customer. I compromise by buying reasonably nice handbags at a good consignment shop.

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