Please recommend your handbag!

[JamiMac]

After using diaper bags for 10 years, I'm not up to date on purses! This is a gift to myself for not needing diaper bags and strollers (sniff, sniff) anymore. Well, we use a stroller occasionally, but I'm not buying anymore. In fact, I plan on selling a couple to fund this bag. ;)

I'm looking for something nice and classic, that I will carry for a long time. I'm a creature of habit and don't switch out bags too often. I don't mind spending a bit more money on this, but have to stay under $500. I would prefer to spend much less. I don't mind buying used it it's in great shape (and not fake!) either. I was thinking a Louis Vuitton bag because I had one a long time ago and sold it to fund strollers. :hysterical: I also would not mind looking at a nice leather bag. I prefer totes or hobo style. Something to wear on my shoulder but tuck under my arm. What about Coach or Dooney and Burke leather bags? Thanks for any ideas!

[mackmama]

I loooooove my MK bag http://www.michaelkorsbagsoutlet.com/michaelkorsastorbrown-p-15.html

[hillview]

I have a LV Totally PM that I got for my 40th birthday from DH. It is the size small and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is a perfect size and it has to side pockets (open) for a can of soda, water bottle, travel cup etc. LOVE it.

ETA it is more than 500 but maybe you can find it used?

[liamsmom]

I don't know if this is quite what you're looking for since you want to step away from the diaper bag genre, but I loooove my JJB Behave. I find it useful and stylish enough for just about any occasion other than a wedding or night at the opera. I have the brown and it's really rich and almost reddish.

[pastrygirl]

This is the most perfect bag ever: http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?catId=100&productId=428633&productGroup=428632

I LOVE IT. I was looking for a nicer, pricier bag, and found more than I ever thought I would

ETA: where's the rest of my post, it disappeared! I'd written that the outside pockets and inside pockets are great, easy to get things in and out, the leather is soft and thick, it tucks perfectly under my arm, the zipper opens easily, it stands up with the tiniest bit of slouch, and the color is perfect! I stopped using all my other bags when I found this one.

[JamiMac]

Thank you all! I'll have to look into those!

[LexyLou]

I would LOVE an LV bag...but that ain't happening for awhile but I just got the Michael Kors Princeton Shoulder Bag for Christmas and I love it!

http://www.endless.com/dp/B004W3VZSW/ref=asc_df_B004W3VZSW1847801?tag=googlecom09c9_end less-20&creative=395033&linkCode=asn&creativeASIN=B004W3VZSW

[eh613c]

I love Kooba handbags. The quality of the material is excellent and they last for a long time. They are currently on sale at gilt.com.

[acmom]

I have a Coach Maggie shoulder bag that I love!

[lmintzer]

I also have a Coach Maggie bag. It's a Maggie Madison in a metallic grey. I just love it!

[goldenpig]

I love Fossil bags! I have had a red Executive tote for many years and it's held up really well. I always get lots of compliments on it. It's the perfect size for work and for carrying my laptop.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wvVZ3EAzVCE/TwY0YJhPgrI/AAAAAAAAA54/gzqrTtG1kKI/s800/fyVMtP8A.jpg

This fall I bought a vintage re-issue floral velvet satchel that goes with all of my fall colors--I carry it almost every day! It's my favorite bag ever!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NA8fBWFq1i8/TwYzCJfmfWI/AAAAAAAAA5k/xSD3mJrArXI/s800/fossilvintagereissue.PNG

And now I'm thinking of adding some of these to the collection:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ENVMxGzpSFM/TwYynhbKNOI/AAAAAAAAA5I/ssjLTVJWSrE/s400/ZB5122995_main.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pSo8g-yPAbI/TwY1RkjjuJI/AAAAAAAAA6U/v5uOQjBeqMQ/s800/1748389-p-DETAILED.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TMw5yIVRYNg/TwYyng0EEZI/AAAAAAAAA5M/gANPPfNZnEk/s400/ZB5116249_main.jpg

I love Fossil bags! They're not that expensive compared to designer bags and they are well made and durable and I love the cool patterns.

[flashy09]

Balenciaga Day bag

[BeachBum]

I have a couple of haydenharnett.com bags I really like. I don't have the havanna hobo, but it is a very popular bag that might work for you.

[kozachka]

I use this Kate Spade black purse as my everyday small, fit over the shoulder bag. It looks much cuter in person. I got it from NR for a good price, but it's currently on sale and was additional 25% too recently.

http://www.katespade.com/designer-handbags/leather-handbags/kate-spade-cooper-square-zippered-darcy/PXRU2883,default,pd.html?dwvar_PXRU2883_color=001&start=5&cgid=sale-handbags-leather

I also like Coach Kristin Hippie. Got one in plum from the outlet for $120 in mid-December and trying to decide if I want to keep or not. Do you think I should? I have a small brown bag that's in OK condition, but I've had it since '96, so won't mind something new. You can also get it with 20-25% from Macy's or better yet price match at Nordstrom during the next F&F sale.

http://www.google.com/shopping/offerdetails?docid=8246797314807745282&sa=X&ei=16EHT7fKOoGhiQKm3MCtCQ&ved=0CEQQwBMwAw

[Babymakes3]

I came across this bag on Pinterest last week and it's my current object of obsession! It's the Fossil Vintage Re-Issue Weekender

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/fossil-handbag-vintage-reissue-weekender-bag?ID=576132

http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/88453580150999020_KblccbzZ_c.jpg

I haven't seen it in real life yet to get a feel for the size but I like big bags so as long as its not gigantic it is definitely a go!

They make a similar bag in a satchel too
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/fossil-handbag-vintage-reissue-satchel?ID=576130&CategoryID=27686&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DFossil%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D73%26 ruleId%3D72%26slotId%3D17

[arivecchi]

My favorite bags are Cole Haan totes (prefer them to LV). Amazon, Zappos and Cole Haan have several styles on sale.

[JamiMac]

Wow, thanks so much for all the ideas. Does anyone have, or have seen, this one?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/dooney-bourke-florentine-vachetta-leather-satchel/3165391?origin=related-3165391-60135619-0-1-1
It seems to get good reviews on other forums.

[kozachka]

Wow, thanks so much for all the ideas. Does anyone have, or have seen, this one?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/dooney-bourke-florentine-vachetta-leather-satchel/3165391?origin=related-3165391-60135619-0-1-1
It seems to get good reviews on other forums.

This is a very nice bag made in Italy but it is heavy (because it is made of substantial thick leather), which to me is a deal breaker. Also it sounded like you wanted a smaller bag or at least that's how I read "can wear on the shoulder and tuck under the arm" part of your OP, and this is a fairly large purse. Last but not least D&B does not have good resale value, if that's a concern buy a used LV but have it first authenticated at The Purse Forum. You can also read more there about pp experience and deals for D&B bag that you linked to.

Let us know what you decide to get. You can't go wrong with either LV, D&B, Coach, Kate Spade or HH that were suggested here.