Guys, talk to me about handbags.

[JasoninDenver]

I have finally figured out how to buy my wife a purse...

I am taking her to Florence this September and have lined up a shopping "consultant" to help her find a nice, high quality bag or even have one custom made. I figure that this way we both win

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

I have finally figured out how to buy my wife a purse...

I am taking her to Florence this September and have lined up a shopping "consultant" to help her find a nice, high quality bag or even have one custom made. I figure that this way we both win

Why not buy her a vacation home, probably cost you the same and she could at least bring you along on the trips.

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by looking to buy

I have learned a lesson with my wife. Do not surprise her! So if I were to buy her a bag that expensive I would need to let her choose it. Not me. So, be sure that she will like your choice. When I look at all the bags posted here they all look the same to me. But, to a woman, a zipper in just the right place or a pocket on the left instead of the right may make all the difference in the world.

If I buy it, I decide.

If she wants the zipper on the other side she can buy the bloody thing herself, with her own money.

[floater156]

I'm so glad my wife has no interest in overpriced bags made of leather. I understand what makes watches price at certain levels. But give me a break, you're telling me that these high end bags have that much better materials or stitching than a lesser bag?

[GermanyMatt]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

I have finally figured out how to buy my wife a purse...

I am taking her to Florence this September and have lined up a shopping "consultant" to help her find a nice, high quality bag or even have one custom made. I figure that this way we both win

Rent a car in Florence, drive to Venice, and walk her into the Louis Vuitton shop just off the main square.

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by floater156

you're telling me that these high end bags have that much better materials or stitching than a lesser bag?

Yes, and the conditions under which they were made (labor, environmental) are often better, and that matters to some consumers. Like every other luxury item, it takes research to understand what you're buying in handbags.

[NiceRide]

Originally Posted by looking to buy

I have learned a lesson with my wife. Do not surprise her! So if I were to buy her a bag that expensive I would need to let her choose it. Not me. So, be sure that she will like your choice. When I look at all the bags posted here they all look the same to me. But, to a woman, a zipper in just the right place or a pocket on the left instead of the right may make all the difference in the world.

Sound advice!!

I would say the same applies for any significant other.

[Hooper]

Coach, Michael Kors and Louis Vuitton for my wife

[Ebruner]

Originally Posted by floater156

I'm so glad my wife has no interest in overpriced bags made of leather. I understand what makes watches price at certain levels. But give me a break, you're telling me that these high end bags have that much better materials or stitching than a lesser bag?

Many of the really exclusive bags have much better resale than our Rolex do.

-Eddie

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by ArcticMoose

Seriously.

I'm looking for a special gift that the intended recipient would never buy for herself. I have already stocked up on watches for various occasions, and I don't want to always be pushing my hobby on her. The only thing I can think of that she would never get for herself is a really decent handbag.

I've done some googling over the last year or so, according to pretty much every source the Hermès Birkin is THE bag to have. However, I don't like its looks, and I don't think she would either. Some of the ones I've put on the list are the Balenciaga Lariat and the Chloe Paddington.

So, here's your chance to spend some "quality time" without leaving TRF, so please, go get your significant others and show me some photos.

Also, I've had a bottle of Castei, so please forgive the errors, of which I'm sure there are plenty.

Get her something unique. A year or two ago I bought my wife a green python Gucci purse. Only five exist in the entire world. She wore it to Milan during fashion week and was stopped by people every few minutes who complemented her on it and wanted information about it.

[ArcticMoose]

So, it seems I will be in NYC by the end of the week.

Anyone want to recommend places to go to browse a decent selection?

[msimm30]

LV Damier Azure if it is for everyday, though I am a fan of the Birkin more so as it is a timeless piece. If it will be for dressier occasions then Chanel.

[Demosthene]

Originally Posted by floater156

I'm so glad my wife has no interest in overpriced bags made of leather. I understand what makes watches price at certain levels. But give me a break, you're telling me that these high end bags have that much better materials or stitching than a lesser bag?

I dont think anyone on a Rolex forum can really criticise people's choices regarding luxury goods.
Especially considering we all own vastly expensive watches less accuate then a $50 Casio

[DiverAsia]

My wife likes purses, and I have bought a few for her, but she chooses which one she likes and I pay for it.

LV is always nice, but the leather ones, not the monogram canvas bags are nicer, but run about 3k. I would be careful to get a monogram bag though as they are a dime a dozen and the 2nd hand market is not so great for resale as they are so common.

Celine luggage bags seem to be the new thing and they also run at least 2k but are very nice.

I got my wife a Prada on 5th Ave and it was less than 2k and it was a nice leather bag.

If you are looking for leather, Gucci has some nice ones, and my wife's cost about 2k and is one of the nicer looking bags with a metal shoulder strap in gunmetal blue.

Balanciaga makes some nice bags and my wife got one 2nd hand for about $1,300. This is the blue leather bag with red gold hardware on and she has her LV coin purse hanging out: http://www.qqfrog.com/photo/106


Some of the posters above were correct. The 2nd hand market for these bags is crazy and I know the Celine Luggage bag my wife is looking for now, costs more 2nd hand then new as it is sold out.

People have mentioned Hermes, but really they are just so expensive they are out of reach for most people.

btw, all the information that I have in my head about bags I just posted here. You got it all out of me.

Good luck with your trip!

[witch watch]

Originally Posted by TSW

My wife loves Mulberry

So do I, wallet,washbag,notebook,trolley,weekender,picture frame,beanbag,passport holder,candle holder to name the leather items i own

[witch watch]

Almost forgot to mention if you want something really different one of my friends in work is having his Better Halves bag made here:

http://HansonofLondon.com

[Kingair]

Bought my wife last week a Celine Large Luggage in black . . .
Getting harder to find over here . . . kind like the Hermes Birkin . . .
Takes forever to get a new one.

HAGOne

[Frosty]

This may be out in left field, but, it is just an idea. My wife likes purses, She picks them out and I pay for them.

For her birrthday this year I wanted to get her "a special gift that the intended recipient would never buy for herself". I asked a couple of women I know and they said a "Spa Day". I got her a gift card for her and a friend at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, to spend the day. The spa was rated in the top 10 for California and 87 in the top 100 in a travel magazie, tied with the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel

It was delivered in a nicely wrapped Lavender gift pack with a Lavender cache.

She told me it was the perfect gift. She got very excited trying to decide what to do. They have a long list of treatments. She smiles every time I ask her what she is going to do and tells me she has not decided yet.

Wow, talk about a gift that keeps on giving. jmho

[kkwn98]

Originally Posted by floater156

I'm so glad my wife has no interest in overpriced bags made of leather. I understand what makes watches price at certain levels. But give me a break, you're telling me that these high end bags have that much better materials or stitching than a lesser bag?

Yes. Why do you find it so surprising or hard to believe?

[SaddleSC]

Another vote for Goyard

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by ArcticMoose

So, it seems I will be in NYC by the end of the week.

Anyone want to recommend places to go to browse a decent selection?

Barneys New York, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga in Soho, Bergdorf, Saks, Ferragamo. Celine used to have a lovely freestanding boutique, but I don't know if it does anymore. Goyard is in Barneys, if you want to see those bags.

[DiverAsia]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Bought my wife last week a Celine Large Luggage in black . . .
Getting harder to find over here . . . kind like the Hermes Birkin . . .
Takes forever to get a new one.

HAGOne

Yes, that's the Celine I was talking about. That is major coinage.
My wife wants the nano version of that one.
Hard to find and in 2nd hand shops impossible where I live.

[rr-nyc]

It's bad enough when your wife is into handbags but when it carries over to your dog...



Good thing LV doesn't make their dog carrier in Damier Graphite or my wallet would be a lot lighter... I didn't tell her she could special order it.

[mws222]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

It's bad enough when your wife is into handbags but when it carries over to your dog...

Good thing LV doesn't make their dog carrier in Damier Graphite or my wallet would be a lot lighter... I didn't tell her she could special order it.

Luckily our dog hates to be in bags

[Puffy]

birkin is a great looking bag

if i had to buy a bag for my mrs it'd be a birkin

[Kingair]

Here is another Belgian brand

Delvaux model Brilliant GM

Love it

Bought my wife a few years ago a black one . . .

But this brown one . . . . I really like it.

HAGOne

[MonBK]

[QUOTE=rr-nyc;3524870]It's bad enough when your wife is into handbags but when it carries over to your dog...

QUOTE]

Wait until Bruno sees this.

[joiexiang]

go for Gucci

[Ebruner]

In Philly last weekend and the Hermes in King of Prussia had a 35 Birkin in stock, so the wife added a new color to her Birkin arsenal.

-Eddie

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Nice one !

Hope she likes it ;-)

HAGWe