Looking for a handbag... know of anything that fits the bill?

[ourbabygirl]

I'm in the market for a new handbag now that I'm finally transitioning over from diaper bags (mostly a LE tote & a Skip Hop backpack, as well as Target knock-offs of LeSportsac) to a purse again. :)

I'd love something in camel, cream, or black, but with gold/ brass hardware instead of silver (I'm having a really hard time finding this). Bonus points if it's a fabric like nylon, but otherwise leather is good, as long as it's not too heavy. I've had a couple of big Coach bags in the past that got to be way too heavy with the thick leather and all the metal from the buckles, etc.

I actually got one from Nordstrom (Vince Camuto), but took it back because it was too heavy with the leather and hardware. There's a MARC by Marc Jacobs Sasha nylon crossbody one that I like, but I think only the blue one (at Nordstrom) has the gold hardware, and I'd rather have something more neutral than blue. I've looked at what Coach, Dooney & Burke, and Cole Haan have, but nothing's really jumping out at me. I've also looked through Macy's and Nordstrom's websites and haven't found anything just right, either.

I don't know where else to look (B&M so I can try it out while I'm looking); any suggestions? :loveeyes: I'll spend up to $300 but would rather find something for $200 or less, if possible. I started out looking at crossbody bags, but I also like the look and feel of shoulder (hobo or otherwise) and tote bags.

Thanks for humoring me!

[crl]

Have you looked at Kate Spade? I really like the Kate Spade handbag my boys bought me for my birthday and she has some neutrals with gold hardware. Some of the smaller bags are in your price range, for sure, and you might catch a sale somewhere.

http://www.katespade.com/designer-handbags/cross-body-purse/handbags-cross-body,default,sc.html

Catherine

[kwc]

Here is nice one in ivory from Banana Republic, though I can't tell what size it is:
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=45433&vid=1&pid=429959&scid=429959012

[KathyN115]

I have this bag, but in a dark grayish/tan color, that goes with everything. I saw this initially at Nordstrom before Christmas, and fell in love because it was a good size, and so light!!!!!! I have used it every day since, and it still looks great. The patent has held up very well, even in rain and snow. I have tried to find a more summery bag for summer, but can't find one I like even close. It seems like this exact bag is discontinued, but you may be able to find it somewhere, or I am sure he has one like it out now again.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/marc-by-marc-jacobs-turnlock-shine-natasha-crossbody-bag/3189357

[arivecchi]

I do not have a specific rec because I love huge bags, but I recently got a Dooney & Bourke shopper bag in camel leather from Zappos. I :heartbeat: it! It looks amazing, goes with pretty much anything and fits all of my stuff. The leather is of great quality and I just love the rick dark camel color and subtle but beautiful hardware. So check out the dooney bags at zappos. They have a great selection.

[ourbabygirl]

These are awesome suggestions; thanks so much! I'm particularly fond of the Kate Spade and D&B bags, and I'm kind of torn on a size & style, and also whether to do nylon (D&B has a bunch of cute ones), or leather (both brands have great choices, but of course the things I love most are more like $350. :loveeyes:

I guess now I'm wondering if I can truly wear a cross body bag and have it be small enough to look cute, but big enough to fit things for my kids (ages 3.5 & 1.5)- basically I'll need a diaper, wipes, two sippies, my wallet, phone, sunglasses, lipstick, and probably a small baggie of snacks. The salesgirl at Nordstrom thought I should get 2 bags (which of course would up my budget by quite a bit) because I wouldn't be able to realistically have a cute purse for myself (cross body or otherwise) that would also be able to hold a bunch of kid stuff without it getting too heavy.

What do the rest of you use for a handbag, when you're with your kids? I'm basically always with my kids (SAHM), except for an occasional night out with DH or running errands/ out with friends/ etc.

[arivecchi]

I use my dooney bag most of the time, but still use my skip hop studio bags if I am carrying snacks or going somewhere like a park, pool, etc. I don't really care if the studio bag gets trashed, but it looks like a regular handbag, so I still use it! My kids are now 5 and 1/2 and 3 and 1/2 so I don't really carry as much stuff for them anymore.

[BabyBearsMom]

I saw a leather Michael Kors at Macys that might work

[pastrygirl]

I have a smaller version of a Cole Haan bag similar to this (http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cole-haan-crossbody-bag/3285597?origin=category&fashionColor=&resultback=1264). I love it, and the bigger size of the one in that link would allow for toddler things inside.

My current bag is this D&B (http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=52584). I carry my 2.5-year-old's diaper stuff in a JJB Be Quick that I usually leave in the car.

I love the look of this one (http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=59163), though I haven't seen it IRL.

I really want this one (http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=59060) in Tangerine for the summer, but it's very small. The medium one is too big for what I want, though.

For a faux leather bag that looks really nice, I'd check out Co-Lab by Christopher Kon. I found a colorblock tote at TJMaxx and really like it! It's the nicest faux leather I've come across (except maybe JJB earth leather). Mine looks almost like this one (http://www.amazon.com/Co-Lab-Christopher-Kon-Frankie-1116-Tote/dp/B006O7ZPOO).