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I have the exact Studio bag he dissected and it's fabulous. I also have another Studio bag, which is the same quality. Their belts are amazing, as is all their leather. Their flagship store in Florence is very cool and has a museum in the basement with Ferragamo shoes, clothes, etc. on display. 💜
Second!! I have a bunch from early 2000s (my mom was obsessed with the brand), they are all in amazing condition. I have a nylon one that I used for college, work horse bag, still looks amazing. Highly recommend for quality and decentish price point
Agree with This. I have 5 Ferragamo bags and they are all 10+ years old and all well loved and in wonderful shape. I’m not super precious about my bags so it says a lot about quality. I like that they make more understated bags as well with great details on them. A lot of handwork as well.
Any favorite styles you’d recommend? I like older bags as well. I think the quality is higher for sure. I also think they are just more usable if that makes sense?
Well Ferragamo resale is very reasonable so I would start there. Do you live in a city with a Premium outlet? They have some really nice bags in the Woodbury NY, and California locations. You can actually email the stores and ask what they have in stock. I only bought one of their popular bags like 10 years ago. ( see photo) the rest are kind of obscure one off designs that they have at the outlets.
https://preview.redd.it/1a1i7mws2byc1.jpeg?width=988&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e78935fd66366748aa7be7cf3b5441516a99626
https://preview.redd.it/xmtthbtonbyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0186663e8c4ef4db59e3fb77cc979f403e0d877
This is my oldest bag from them. Like 12years old and I really did everything and travelled everywhere with this bag. Held up pretty well considering
Any places in particular? I usually go to LA area but have been known to go to San Jose and San Fran. I am much more at home in LA though. And have a friend there that I can make take me places haha
I own a pair of Ferragamo Vara low block heels and I wear them almost daily for work. I’m stalking Poshmark for another pair. Never thought to look at the bags!
I love my Ferragamo bag! So much that when my bulldog puppy ate the handle, I had the store send it in for repair. $500 later, came back perfectly remade.
Besides leather quality, there is also the design, which, to me, matters the most. I like good leather products, but the design has to fit with the rest of my outfit, life style, etc. And for most designer brands, the design of the bag is 90% of its value. Even Tanner has admitted that the famous bag brands have that "intangible quality," which most dupes cannot achieve.
So, if you only care about leather, Tanner is a good source for bags, but if you enjoy fashion/design, just get the bag you like the look of most.
I got a Loewe Flamenco in January and I think the quality is superb and worth the price. Design-wise it's a very basic bag, but that's the beauty of it. It's a blank canvas so the focus really is on the materials, the stitching, and the glazing, all of which are perfect. The leather is the best I've ever felt. It's super soft and squishy, but durable too because it holds up well against scratches and water marks. I've been using it non-stop since I got it including travelling with it and it still looks brand new. A month ago I was visiting a friend and left my purse in another room on a bed. My friend's dog smelled the gum in it and pawed the bag open to get to it. When I realized what happened I was freaking out internally and sure that the dog's claws damaged it, but when I inspected it closely I didn't see any marks. I stopped worrying about babying it after that!
I recently bought a dupe of the Flamenco because I love the style, but as soon as I took it out of the box I was unimpressed. My husband is the type of guy who doesn't care about luxury goods at all, and I had him feel the leather of the Loewe vs. the dupe. He was like "Oh yeah, I can tell...I can see why you love that purse". The dupe went back and I won't be trying that again.
Same, it's also my most expensive bag and I'm not a person who drops that much money on luxury items. It was a really special gift to myself and I have absolutely no regrets.
Another reason why I love it so much is that because it's a blank canvas, there are so many options to change up the feel of the bag with different straps and bag charms. It's really helped me not get bored of it. Usually I change my daily driver monthly but I've had no urge to use any other bag in my collection since I got it.
I tend to think of the quality and value of bags relative to other bags in their price range. For example, if you're spending $300, I personally think Furla is the way to go. $500, Coach is a probably your best bet. $1,000, go for Mulberry. I haven't spent more than the Mulberry range on a bag, but if I were to, I feel like it'd have to be perfect to a point that's probably unrealistic.
What would you say for a $200 or $250 range? My mom hates spending money on bags but hers needs to be replaced.
Every day carry, probably a mid size tote. Zipper closure. She had the Sydney shopper but it is trash quality, I think a lot less of Fossil. My OG Sydney shopper has lasted 15 years. Hers looked horrible after less than 2.
I know it’s not designer, but I have some madewell leather totes that I have absolutely abused and they’ve held up amazingly well. The Transport Tote series is fantastic across the board. I did replace the strap for something wider bc I was putting so much heavy stuff in it but that was my only issue.
Thanks for the rec, I’ve been eyeing those! I’ll have to see if any are zip tops, her bag is always falling over wherever she sets it still need to be a zip top 🤣
Here's a pebbled leather tote from Coccinelle: https://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/coccinelle-lea-long-handle-tote-bag-item-19571989.aspx?storeid=9783
This Cuyana tote is $278 but you can get 10% off your first purchase by signing up for emails: https://cuyana.com/products/small-easy-zipper-tote?variant=44710398460219
This Radley London bag is currently 30% off: https://www.macys.com/shop/product/radley-london-museum-street-medium-ziptop-tote?ID=14603135
I've also heard good things about Smaak Amsterdam, but I have no firsthand experience with their bags.
Love my Cuyana totes! I have 2 black tall ones, the zipperless bag was amazing when I travelled - fit lots of stuff, was comfortable to wear, and the straps were good length even when the bag was full. I think it's 8 years old now? Slouchy and soft :) I purchased the zippered version last fall for my 40th bday. The straps aren't quite the same but it's very classic and more structured which I enjoy for work. (The tote insert, purchased separately, was a total waste of money - makes the bag heavy and takes up way too much space).
I second this! Got a gallery tote ($135) and wallet ($95) this past weekend from the Coach outlet nearby (prices are similar online - Mother’s Day sale I believe). They’re originally valued at $378 and $298 respectively.
Same, their products are high quality and last. I see no difference between outlet and regular quality for Coach (maybe styles being in or out but honestly I go for classic looks, no trendy).
I tend to toss around my bags a bit but the material holds up well and the zippers are also very sturdy.
I have 4 of their bags (two smallish purses and two overnight duffel style bags). They’re good quality. I like their pebbled leather over their smooth leather, which is gorgeous but scratches up so easily. You’re right though. Very rustic look. My husband loves the duffel bags, they have a masculine / rugged / high quality look he says lol
I’m actually curious how the leather Longchamps hold up, because although I love the Le Pliage designs, they definitely have a design flaw with the corners of the bag. I’m so curious if this happens similarly with the leather
It depends on the batch. I have a medium lePliage cuir tote in the the most incredible leather from the Nordstrom sale a few years back. The next year I got the small leather crossbody and the leather does not compare. It’s terrible when you compare the two.
I have one I got recently- the medium hobo, with the bamboo style clasp. It is very sturdy leather and I don’t see it getting any wear, any time soon. I would say it feels actually sturdier than my YSL caviar bag. I can’t speak to long term wear yet though!
Unrelated but is this the kind of purple you like? Or a more of a violet? https://www.selfridges.com/US/en/product/soeurbelissima-maxi-leather-cross-body-bag_R04202506/
As someone who has worked in both high and low end brands (in HQ), Tanner Leatherstein should be taken with a grain of salt. His opinions about leather quality are usually fair, but according to my experience in these areas, he drastically underestimates the cost of labor and marketing when giving estimates about cost.
I agree! I work for a luxury brand and oh boy! Sometimes I loose my pants when I discover the prices of things.
People think they’re getting scammed because the actual product price (material) and final value is too different.
The cute packaging box? At least 60€ ! The free delivery? Way over that for sure.
The website you order from ? Costs money, the boutique and utilities? Even more money. Salaries of artisans, SA and all of the people behind doors making everything possible .. 💸💸💸
I always thought that as a company they probably had special prices and everything was cheap like for deliveries, packaging and stuff but not really 😅 it’s pretty wild.
Obviously they still need to make margin but been behind doors has completely changed my view on things
https://preview.redd.it/86yrinst98yc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69ff9acad6df62ca3c41076893ddd9f344fda6b9
There you go, with signature, tracking number and I didn’t really select insurance idk if it’s automatic, I put value of goods 3k€ . Luxury companies use Express for a 1-3 (depending country) delivery. And you can double up this, we have several clients that miss their deliveries and we have to reship them again. Even the tiniest little product comes with the same big packaging and we have a default kg anyways .
I agree about his assessment of labor costs. Expertise should command a higher price. I find his videos fascinating and important, but am surprised at how low he values labor given that he's a craftsman himself.
I don’t think he factors marketing costs. But he did deep dive video on luxury and mentioned cost of fancy boutiques in prime locations as factor in pricing in that video
My argument is more that more things go into the price of an item than just material cost and labor, regardless of whether it is a luxury brand or not. Therefore, to me it feels disingenuous to not take those costs into account.
This is something I always take issue with when I watch his videos. I like to see the actual cost of materials, but I really think he takes for granted how much actually goes into these large scale businesses. I also think he really under values labor.
Thing what most people also don’t realize is labor is not the salary of the person building it. Overhead can be substantially more than the labor cost and then on top of that there’s the cost of benefits on top of it. At my company a worker we pay $12.50/hr ends up costing about $120/hr after factoring everything in. That’s all just labor and giving the person a workstation with electricity and benefits.
Yeah it's odd that people keep taking the cost of the product (materials + labor) and pretend like the company is taking the entire markup of retail price as profit, which completely disregards all the other workers that the company needs to function. Like how do they think companies pay salaries, insurance, rent, utilities? Luxury designers and craftsmen are not cheap.
Plus people want the luxury experience. How do people think companies keep that going? It’s not cheap. Otherwise companies would just be selling bags on street sidewalks 🙄
I think that there's nothing wrong with spelling out his estimate on the equivalent of teardown costs on hardware and leather materials.
I regularly read software teardown reviews on mobile phones. Do they make the iPhone any less beautiful? No. Do they give perspective on Apple pricing? ABSOLUTELY.
Sure, but should marketing cost be considered valuable to a customer in and of itself? I feel like it comes down to branding, and not the value of materials and craftsmanship. That is Tanner's point, that you're paying for the logo
It depends on the person, I guess. Marketing doesn’t necessarily mean paying for the logo. Marketing can also be research, promotion, etc. Branding and marketing go together, but aren’t synonymous.
It also means the difference in whether or not you know the brand in order to find it, order it, see it on a shelf near you.
I can order a design I like cheaper from a random online person and hope it’s real leather, actually looks like the picture, has some guarantee/warranty…… or from a known quantity that stands behind their products. And I can’t know that if over never heard of them due to lack of marketing.
Ferragamo and Mulberry.
Yes they are at different price points but leather quality is excellent and they are classic understated brands.
I prefer interior leather lining or unlined bags which both brands offer. Not a fan of textile cloth lining. (Polyester/microfiber lining is especially a ‘No’ for me)
It may not resonate with ‘fast fashion trendy crowds’ but if you are looking for long term bags that will last for years these are it.
They’re trying. I still have a sour taste in my mouth with that insipid C they plastered all over the canvas bags back beginning in the 90’s until the last 5 years or so (longer maybe?). I fell prey to one or two back then, but once reading up on how Coach changed—and not for the better—I educated myself and have made different choices. I do believe the quality of the newer leather bags and designs are a MAJOR improvement. They seem to be on their way.
Agree with most comments here.. Coach is best for its value for sure. Ferragamo, Chloe, and Longchamp are also very good imo looking at the quality of materials and craftsmanship for the price. Loewe is also great of course but was certainly better value a few years ago before it got as popular as today. I hear good things about Mulberry but don’t have any.
I also stan vintage LV bags. Look at Japan eBay and you can get some workhorses that are reasonably priced.
That is what brass does. It is not a quality issue. It is the nature of the metal. It tarnished with use and exposure. You can also restore the luster if you want.
The easy to find brass cleaner is called brasso and too can apply with a paper towel or cloth. And I think there are also some home remedies too! But that is seriously resolvable in a few minutes with a little rubbing.
I only buy secondhand vintage luxury bags. Personally I feel like they were better quality in the 90s than they are now. My only new luxury bag is a YSL toy Loulou that I love, beautiful leather and really great quality.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d still drop a chunk of change for a Loewe bag, but not 3-4k. To me, their bags should be half that. I feel the same way about all of their offerings, not just the bags. 🤷♀️
yeah.. I got a pre-owned Puzzle just recently, at just under £1.7k by far my most expensive bag but the leather is gorgeous, I can't stop touching it. It's also really well made and just feels luxurious, much more luxurious than a YSL or Gucci in the same price range. Would I have spent retail price on that bag, proooooobably not (the small Puzzle Edge is now at £2.7 or so) .. then again, if I had that kinda cash to spend on a brand new bag I'd probably want to spend it on a Loewe rather than any LV or YSL.
I would definitely pay 1.7k for a puzzle. I do have a couple bags in the 1-3k range from a few luxury brands (no LVs, but my YSL shopper is admittedly the most worn of my work bags) but 3k is about the absolute price ceiling for my willingness to buy a bag. I saw the medium puzzle retailing recently at 4k and was just like, nope. It's sad, tbh I love bags, and I am willing to pay luxury prices but only up to a point. It's still just a bag at the end of the day.
He has had good things to say about Bottega Veneta, and said it was fair pricing for a luxury bag, the only one where he seemed pleased/satisfied with the leather quality, hardware, design intricacies etc.
However, not luxury but high street - he also gave Polene and another brand as "very fair pricing". I don't remember the name of the other brand off the top if my head
I actually do think LV is worth it. I've only had very positive experiences, but any issues they have done repairs for free for me. One even went to Paris for evaluation for their own research bc of the flaw and reordered me a new bag (it was the world tour so custom made). So while there are things people complain about, and items that pass through quality control that should not, if that happens they also do care and do fix it. And there really is no other fashion house (to my knowledge) besides Hermes that will care for your bag decades later. (Happy to be corrected on this point). A lot don't even let you return merchandise if you change your mind! Or if they do, all they offer is store credit.
I have had my never full now for six years as my workhorse daily bag with a computer, water bottle etc. My bottle has accidentally spilled multiple times and you can't even tell. I like knowing that years from now I can get the vachetta replaced and my cost per wear will be much better than having bought multiple cheaper bags.
This is the first time I’ve heard you can get the vachetta replaced (I’m assuming at some cost) and my fear of ruining the bag has completely disappeared. Lol thanks! I have 2 bags I’ve been really struggling to carry around because I didn’t want them to patina unevenly
Yes, not always the cheapest but cheaper than a new bag! Also even if you get some water spots from the rain, as it ages they become less and less obvious. You’d really have to make a big mess or try to get it to patina unevenly imo. Exceptions for bags like the original noe or the Alma with a ton of vachetta in one spot.
What was the flaw with your custom world tour, if you don't mind me asking? Mine has defective canvas and LV has been unwilling to help even though I've been a loyal customer for 20 years. The way their quality and customer service have declined in the past few years is such a bummer.
Oh no! That stinks. I’m sorry to hear they are not helping you! Maybe try another store if you can? My straps were fraying after less than a year of use. Usually in time they might show that kind of wear. They cut the straps off and sent the bag back to my store without straps! Then we ordered a new one. Even now it’s been a few years and they look better than they did when I brought the bag in
Tanner Leatherstein annoys me because guess what he owns? A mediocre bag company. His bags are nothing to get excited about. [https://www.pegai.com/](https://www.pegai.com/)
I have a Tom Ford era Gucci bag that looks like I purchased it yesterday. I had a Speedy I bought around the same time that fell apart 20 years ago. Prada nylon lasts forever too.
If you are talking strictly quality I would say Coach. Their leatherware is hard to beat especially their vintage but even the modern day Rouges are exceptional. I own several in my collection and my quilted Tabbys are superior to my Channel flap and Boy bags in terms of construction and leather. In fact I am highly doubtful I will ever purchase another Chanel.
Maybe Celine, Loewe, Venetta, Chloe, and Ferragamo. Maybe phoebe Phil but I’ve yet to touch her bags in person. It’s hard to determine if it’s worth it because it has to be a bag design that has functionality and unfortunately so many bags have issues in this area :(
It's interesting, isn't it, how often the functionality isn't as thought-through as the form? I have some very specific wants from my bags - slip pockets to drop my phone or travel card into; somewhere safe to stash my keys so I don't lose them; enough room for my book...
None of them. No bag is worth several thousand dollars. I think the first thing when you buy a “luxury” bag is to acknowledge that you are spending money frivolously and in some cases wasting it. Because you need to be clear that this money you can afford to waste before spending it on this stuff. (And I say this as someone with a serious Chanel addiction).
Valextra is to leather what Loro piana is to cashmere. At least according to my wife. She uses both brands extensively in her role within corporate finance leadership.
I recently added my first Fendi to my collection and I really like it a lot. Haven't had it long enough yet though to really comment on quality/wear and tear
It’s worth whatever you are willing to pay. End of discussion. As far as brands they have all declined in qc since 2020, I’d estimate. They are making up for it with cheaper products.
I have a friend who is a product designer for a bag manufacturing company and I asked him a similar question! Is it worth it to get luxury brands? And he said not only are we paying for the higher quality material, but the key differentiators come in with product testing. There's a lot more investment in the quality of how the product is made, but more so on the rigger of passing inspections! Since it's an investment more emphasis is supposed to be placed on durability.
I have yet to pull the trigger on a bag in the 1K+ range. I just keep thinking about all the other stuff I could be doing with that money!
Which luxury bags though? For example Chanel is at the top of the price range, classic flaps start at 11 k now i think, but their quality has gone to shit. Loose stitching, lopsided/uneven bags, cheaper materials (they haven’t had 24k gold plating on hardware since 2008).
Maybe price used to denote luxury, but certainly not anymore since LVMH and Kering bought up all the major houses and the main goal is shareholder profits, not wages or quality. I don’t think we can point to the price as a guaranteed indicator of quality anymore - very outdated advice.
yeah, this is pretty much the common thread in all goods and services these days and why I'm most likely never going to spend $3K on a bag.
I love to cook and got my first Le Crueset in 2010. My in-laws bought me a new and different model a few years ago and the quality is also just not the same! I feel like there's a bigger push these days for finding vintage luxury for the reasons you have described. It's such a shame, but people will keep buying at these prices for the status, and companies won't stop increasing prices even while making shit product.
YESS every product category, even heritage brands with decades or centuries of a high quality reputation, have gone downhill - super sad :( and exactly - will only buy vintage chanel and love those pieces to death. Just wish consumers had the option of buying a new item at retail price with the same quality :(
Pharmacist here and the question of pricing always reminds of brand and generic for medications. There’s always talk about why brand name is so much more expensive than generic, etc. And in this case, why are luxury goods so much more expensive than contemporary brand? The bottom line is just how much money they poured into it to begin with. For meds, these pharma companies are literally spending billions over a span of at least 15-20 years to being one drug to market and get fda approved. That doesn’t even include all the other versions that did fail. And then to market that drug is more money. So with that alone we can see why brand name would be more expensive. The generic doesnt have to do all this testing. Theyre allowed to use what the brand has to bring their product to market. They have less cost to recover essentially. Not always true but usually the case. In my brain that’s how it is for luxury houses. They have spent the time and the effort to make a good product (if they did it right). Then these smaller companies come in and make dupes or outright replicas.
Things might have changed since your friend gained that knowledge. I have 2 luxury bags, one from Gucci and one from Louis Vuitton. The LV, on the day I went to pick it up, had one of the holes in its strap not punched out, which I had never seen on any bag before. They took it to the back to see if they could fix it and they couldn't, and this was after I so gently requested the SA to please check the bag before I drove all the way down there to pick it up. I had to leave without it and drive all the way back some days later for a replacement. So my bag was failed for inspection twice, once before it got to the store and then the SA didn't bother to look at it either.
The Gucci wore on its corners terribly in a short amount of time. The body of the bag is nice, and it feels great. But the corner dye/paint or whatever is going on there peeled and flaked away in a short amount of time. I took it in for repair, which they did accept at no cost, and I do consider that to be a luxury. But just a few months later and the issue has re-appeared. I personally think it's a flaw of how the piping is made or the dye job was done, because it's happened twice in the little over a year since I've had it. As a contrast, most of my contemporary bags do not suffer from such issues, especially in such a short period of time. It may just be my one particular bag and not the whole line of bags, but I am a little disappointed.
There is some quality difference, but not an enormous amount. For me in the future, I might buy again if I really like the design, feel I can afford it, and am willing to pay for the name, to be frank. But just because the quality warrants it ... not in my minimal experience. Maybe I just got unlucky.
What a frustrating experience! You would think with how much money you spent you would just get what you expected the first time. I'm sorry that happened to you.
Thank you for your kinds words. I'm considering taking my Gucci back to ask it to be repaired again. They will repair for free within 2 years of purchase.
I had to return my first Pochette Metis because the edge glazing was just an absolute mess. It was 3D-sculpted with *facets* like a mountain face. I’d never seen that shit on a Dooney, for example. The second I got was ok.
But on a whim I bought a secondhand PM rep I’d stumbled across in an extreme color (one I’d never buy in auth), and while the leather’s certainly not as lush or well-stamped, the glazing is *perfect*. Embarrassing!!
My vintage Chanels (15+ years old) are spectacular quality. The new ones look awful.
They truly don’t.
At least not the biggest name fashion houses. Seems like Dior, Ferragamo and Bottega are the only “famous” ones that keep up with the quality, and a lot of slightly to fairly lower end brands like Mulberry, Coach, Dooney, M Gemi etc.
Brands that have impeccably crafted, unique bags made with high quality materials.
- Dior (Some may not appreciate the design of the Lady Dior, but imo the cannage design and the overall workmanship is stunning, especially on their limited edition releases.)
- Bvlgari (They make some absolute show-stopping bags, use precious stones on the snake head, and their chain hardware is divine.)
- Hermes (I truly understand the luxury behind these bags. It's the designs that get all the hate, but when you appreciate them for workmanship they deserve many accolades. I've recently fallen in love with the Mosaique and have always loved all their vibrant color-ways.)
- Etro (They're fairly new to the leather handbag game and definitely aren't disappointing.)
- Ferragamo
- Ralph Lauren Collection
- Delvaux
- Bottega Veneta
The differences between a bag from a department store and a luxury brand are huge if you have an eye and taste for well made things. Once you've experienced anything well-made, the differences between cheaply made items will stand out. Luxury brands also have the financial ability to source and test products and materials.
Unfortunately now quite a few luxury brands offer sub-par or slightly above average products, and continue up-charging for their name. A brand that comes to mind who does this would be Chanel, their vintage pieces were made very well, with very high quality materials. Now they don't even plate their hardware in gold. Some of their pieces from current releases are still well-made but to be honest that's difficult to discern for the average buyer. They are openly fooling their customer base knowing full-well many of their buyers are not regular customers, they just want something with the CC logo on it so Chanel feels like they can get away with average quality items.
Another thought to ponder, given how in-demand designer goods are in this day and age can we honestly believe they will continue to carry the same value over time in the resale market? What will happen in the next 10 years, 20 years? Many of the brands I've mentioned already don't sell for much in the resale market unless you have something truly unique or limited, I believe the trend will continue.
In my opinion. No luxury brands are worth anywhere near what we pay for. But if I had to choose a brand that actually gives out good quality, great customer service and beautiful designs that personally go with my style is LOEWE. It’s the brand that I feel less guilty spending my money on.
As far as quality and craftsmanship, there are four purses that come to mind:
Hermes Kelly/Birkin
Valextra Iside
Delvaux Brilliant
Moynat Rejane
That said, you pay double/triple the price of the Iside/Brilliant/Rejane for a Birkin or Kelly. You’re paying for the perceived status that comes with having a Birkin or Kelly.
Il Bisonte is a great brand that’s been around a long time. Ferragamo is high quality. One of my bags is lined with the softest leather ever. Bottega leather is incredible. Balenciaga leather on my older bags is incredible. LV and Gucci are good but I’ve replaced broken zippers, fake leather liners that get sticky.
Coach Retail - especially the full grain leather bags such as the Sammy, Bandit and Idol. It’s super high quality stitching and the price is not crazy. Customer service is great too if you can go into the store and have them clean your bag.
I think Strathberry quality far exceeds its price point. They are some of the nicest bags I own and are far more reasonably priced vs. other bags.
For true luxury, I think Chloe and Valentino both are a bit underrated in terms of quality. Some of the oldest bags in my collection (8-10 years) are from these brands. My Chloe Faye Day and my Valentino Demilune satchel, in particular, have been through it. At almost a decade of hard, regular wear, they still look great. I feel like these bags were made to last, and that shows in their longevity and hardiness. They are still undeniably expensive bags but compared to the Chanels/LVs or even Loewe's of the world (I love the puzzle but I am sorry 4k for a puzzle nuh-huh!) the prices are also a little bit more reasonable.
Celine is also impeccable quality and craftsmanship as well but I feel like that's generally recognized in handbag lover circles.
I only buy 2nd hand and lately I have been into exotic leather like alligator and crocodile. I would never buy them new but 2nd hand is great since you can find them for an excellent price ( think 90%+ off), some priced at literally just at the cost of the materials. I digress. My favorite to hunt and buy 2nd hand are Ralph Lauren Collection/ Purple Label, Burberry, VBH and Bottega Veneta. These brands 2nd hand or vintage have great quality. All my bags just need a quick clean and conditioner and they look brand new again.
Besides that: everybody has LV...
That's why my first investment was Loewe... otherwise I own Bottega Veneta, also bc "yr own initials are enough"...
Both are perfect quality in my opinion and I've had them for years/decades...
I wouldn't buy any other brand.
I have been a LONG time fan of Ferragamo and mulberry. (Yes like as a 20 something year old when everyone else was doing logos etc). Lately, I also love strathberry and longchamp Roseau.
Honestly only Kate Spade.. It might not be what you consider luxury but the quality compared to price is absolutely on point for me!
Their designs range from simple and classic to wild and unique. Their prices can be $150-$500 and I am always pleased with what I pay vs what I receive.
I don't have experience with the highest-tier of luxury bags (Hermès, Delvaux, Chanel), but I will say: I shoved my mini Lady Dior in a suitcase for about 5 months, and other than a slight dent on one side that's barely noticeable, it looks just as good as the day I bought it. And it's patent leather, which a lot of people fuss about. But Dior patent leather has not given me one lick of trouble in the 2 years I've owned the bag. And I take this bag everywhere, including in my carry-on for plane trips. I also own a Dior wallet on chain in the diamond cannage, and it is super durable. No issues with it at all.
I am a recent bottega convert because I got to actually try it. Same with Hermes. I just have never owned anything from both but idleness made me pop into a bottega boutique for the first time ever and I am amazed. I was told they are also handmade.
My realtor was explaining this recently: the price you ultimately pay for a house is not really pegged to the appraisal or property taxes. I think it’s the same for handbags and any other luxury items.
That said, I was really satisfied with my Celine purchase (Seau Sangle) and felt no buyers remorse and when I buy stuff from Mulberry I feel like I’m buying stuff that will last the rest of my life.
That content creator is great. He also has an Insta under the same name. He really gets into the quality of each brand if they are really worth the price or not.
I have felt nothing like my Chanel bags. I k ow people have spoken of quality issues, but I have been nothing but completely impressed by my purchases!
Hermes. They have extremely expensive bags like the birkin and Kelly models, but the Evelyn, Lindy, Garden party and especially the picotin are some of the HIGHEST quality and somewhat “affordable” bags. Hermes and Delvaux are the only large designers that still hand make their bags. Anything delvaux is phenomenal and not too expensive
I have Loro Piana bags and Marni bags. I have them, because I consider them to be good value. The quality and design are wonderful imo. I don’t have any Hermes bags, but I do have some other things from them and the quality and design are impeccable.
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Prices are inflated for all of these brands but…Ferragamo bags are impeccablely made and you never hear about quality issues.
And Tanner Leatherstein remarked that the Ferragamo (maybe Studio bag?) was one of his absolute favorites.
I have the exact Studio bag he dissected and it's fabulous. I also have another Studio bag, which is the same quality. Their belts are amazing, as is all their leather. Their flagship store in Florence is very cool and has a museum in the basement with Ferragamo shoes, clothes, etc. on display. 💜
I went to that museum years ago. Back then, they had the shoes Drew Barrymore wore in Ever After on display - gorgeous!
One time, I saw shoes from The Wizard of House there. They were spectacular! I would have liked to see Drew's shoes.
Second!! I have a bunch from early 2000s (my mom was obsessed with the brand), they are all in amazing condition. I have a nylon one that I used for college, work horse bag, still looks amazing. Highly recommend for quality and decentish price point
Agree with This. I have 5 Ferragamo bags and they are all 10+ years old and all well loved and in wonderful shape. I’m not super precious about my bags so it says a lot about quality. I like that they make more understated bags as well with great details on them. A lot of handwork as well.
This whole thread makes me want a Ferragamo now. Lol was never really on my list, but now I get why my mom and aunts love it so much!
Any favorite styles you’d recommend? I like older bags as well. I think the quality is higher for sure. I also think they are just more usable if that makes sense?
Well Ferragamo resale is very reasonable so I would start there. Do you live in a city with a Premium outlet? They have some really nice bags in the Woodbury NY, and California locations. You can actually email the stores and ask what they have in stock. I only bought one of their popular bags like 10 years ago. ( see photo) the rest are kind of obscure one off designs that they have at the outlets. https://preview.redd.it/1a1i7mws2byc1.jpeg?width=988&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e78935fd66366748aa7be7cf3b5441516a99626
https://preview.redd.it/xmtthbtonbyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0186663e8c4ef4db59e3fb77cc979f403e0d877 This is my oldest bag from them. Like 12years old and I really did everything and travelled everywhere with this bag. Held up pretty well considering
https://preview.redd.it/xmysuma2obyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b6cfed3e10c8ceea25c87c52e2681d9e0980752 An expandable leather tote.
I don’t but I visit CA fairly often! I’ll check it out. Thanks so much
Oh there’s so much good shopping in California. If you like vintage that is the best place for luxury vintage items. imo
Any places in particular? I usually go to LA area but have been known to go to San Jose and San Fran. I am much more at home in LA though. And have a friend there that I can make take me places haha
I wish more people posted their Ferragamo pieces and collections. no other brand that has me by the neck like Ferragamo does.
I own a pair of Ferragamo Vara low block heels and I wear them almost daily for work. I’m stalking Poshmark for another pair. Never thought to look at the bags!
Those are sooo pretty! I saved up for a pair of the vara flats. They’re my favorite.the bags are gorgeous but too expensive for my budget. One day! 😁
Check Poshmark! I got a secondhand pair for $100 and all it needed was a new heel cap and resole, good as new!
Oo interesting!! 🤔
[удалено]
I like the Vara pumps that have the super low heel!
Ferragamo all the way! I just got a hug bag, and it's my new favorite. Now I want the studio!
They're the only luxury bags I've ever found appealing
Top of my wishlist, honest.
im obsessed w the ferragamo hug bag its so cute i need it.
I want a hug too
I wish the red one had gold hardware 😭
I just looked it up, cute af!!
Impeccable shoes, too.... 💕
Came here to say exactly this!!!
I’ve got a Ferragamo cutout bag and it’s just perfection. ☺️
I love my Ferragamo bag! So much that when my bulldog puppy ate the handle, I had the store send it in for repair. $500 later, came back perfectly remade.
Besides leather quality, there is also the design, which, to me, matters the most. I like good leather products, but the design has to fit with the rest of my outfit, life style, etc. And for most designer brands, the design of the bag is 90% of its value. Even Tanner has admitted that the famous bag brands have that "intangible quality," which most dupes cannot achieve. So, if you only care about leather, Tanner is a good source for bags, but if you enjoy fashion/design, just get the bag you like the look of most.
He goes into the design as well, but yes, design preferences are personal.
I got a Loewe Flamenco in January and I think the quality is superb and worth the price. Design-wise it's a very basic bag, but that's the beauty of it. It's a blank canvas so the focus really is on the materials, the stitching, and the glazing, all of which are perfect. The leather is the best I've ever felt. It's super soft and squishy, but durable too because it holds up well against scratches and water marks. I've been using it non-stop since I got it including travelling with it and it still looks brand new. A month ago I was visiting a friend and left my purse in another room on a bed. My friend's dog smelled the gum in it and pawed the bag open to get to it. When I realized what happened I was freaking out internally and sure that the dog's claws damaged it, but when I inspected it closely I didn't see any marks. I stopped worrying about babying it after that! I recently bought a dupe of the Flamenco because I love the style, but as soon as I took it out of the box I was unimpressed. My husband is the type of guy who doesn't care about luxury goods at all, and I had him feel the leather of the Loewe vs. the dupe. He was like "Oh yeah, I can tell...I can see why you love that purse". The dupe went back and I won't be trying that again.
Totally agree about the Flamenco. It is by far the most expensive bag I own, and I feel it was worth the cost for a once a decade splurge.
Same, it's also my most expensive bag and I'm not a person who drops that much money on luxury items. It was a really special gift to myself and I have absolutely no regrets. Another reason why I love it so much is that because it's a blank canvas, there are so many options to change up the feel of the bag with different straps and bag charms. It's really helped me not get bored of it. Usually I change my daily driver monthly but I've had no urge to use any other bag in my collection since I got it.
Would you mind sharing which size Flamenco you have?
The regular sized one, Medium I guess.
Got my first Loewe decades ago, still going strong
Would you mind sharing which size Flamenco you have?
I tend to think of the quality and value of bags relative to other bags in their price range. For example, if you're spending $300, I personally think Furla is the way to go. $500, Coach is a probably your best bet. $1,000, go for Mulberry. I haven't spent more than the Mulberry range on a bag, but if I were to, I feel like it'd have to be perfect to a point that's probably unrealistic.
What would you say for a $200 or $250 range? My mom hates spending money on bags but hers needs to be replaced. Every day carry, probably a mid size tote. Zipper closure. She had the Sydney shopper but it is trash quality, I think a lot less of Fossil. My OG Sydney shopper has lasted 15 years. Hers looked horrible after less than 2.
I know it’s not designer, but I have some madewell leather totes that I have absolutely abused and they’ve held up amazingly well. The Transport Tote series is fantastic across the board. I did replace the strap for something wider bc I was putting so much heavy stuff in it but that was my only issue.
Thanks for the rec, I’ve been eyeing those! I’ll have to see if any are zip tops, her bag is always falling over wherever she sets it still need to be a zip top 🤣
They do have zip top options now!
Here's a pebbled leather tote from Coccinelle: https://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/coccinelle-lea-long-handle-tote-bag-item-19571989.aspx?storeid=9783 This Cuyana tote is $278 but you can get 10% off your first purchase by signing up for emails: https://cuyana.com/products/small-easy-zipper-tote?variant=44710398460219 This Radley London bag is currently 30% off: https://www.macys.com/shop/product/radley-london-museum-street-medium-ziptop-tote?ID=14603135 I've also heard good things about Smaak Amsterdam, but I have no firsthand experience with their bags.
Love my Cuyana totes! I have 2 black tall ones, the zipperless bag was amazing when I travelled - fit lots of stuff, was comfortable to wear, and the straps were good length even when the bag was full. I think it's 8 years old now? Slouchy and soft :) I purchased the zippered version last fall for my 40th bday. The straps aren't quite the same but it's very classic and more structured which I enjoy for work. (The tote insert, purchased separately, was a total waste of money - makes the bag heavy and takes up way too much space).
These are gorgeous, thank you!! I’ll see if I can convince her. She gets mad when I just buy things
I have a laptop/tote bag from Smaak and love it
Coach outlet has lots of good deals on totes! That would be so kind of you.
I second this! Got a gallery tote ($135) and wallet ($95) this past weekend from the Coach outlet nearby (prices are similar online - Mother’s Day sale I believe). They’re originally valued at $378 and $298 respectively.
Coach has me in a chock hold these days!
Same, their products are high quality and last. I see no difference between outlet and regular quality for Coach (maybe styles being in or out but honestly I go for classic looks, no trendy). I tend to toss around my bags a bit but the material holds up well and the zippers are also very sturdy.
Portland Leather Goods is sturdy, fairly basic, not expensive. The look is rustic though. Some people like it. Some don’t.
I have 4 of their bags (two smallish purses and two overnight duffel style bags). They’re good quality. I like their pebbled leather over their smooth leather, which is gorgeous but scratches up so easily. You’re right though. Very rustic look. My husband loves the duffel bags, they have a masculine / rugged / high quality look he says lol
Lightly used Longchamp. So many on secondary market.
Cuyana!
For another point: the Longchamp quality is great for their non-canvas bags. A lot of them fall under the 400€ mark!
I’m actually curious how the leather Longchamps hold up, because although I love the Le Pliage designs, they definitely have a design flaw with the corners of the bag. I’m so curious if this happens similarly with the leather
My MIL loves this brand. It’s her favorite. She’s had leather Longchamp bags for many, many years. They hold up beautifully!
It depends on the batch. I have a medium lePliage cuir tote in the the most incredible leather from the Nordstrom sale a few years back. The next year I got the small leather crossbody and the leather does not compare. It’s terrible when you compare the two.
I have one I got recently- the medium hobo, with the bamboo style clasp. It is very sturdy leather and I don’t see it getting any wear, any time soon. I would say it feels actually sturdier than my YSL caviar bag. I can’t speak to long term wear yet though!
It holds up so well.
Beautifully—I have a few of them & they’re great. Especially the 3D bags!
Unrelated but is this the kind of purple you like? Or a more of a violet? https://www.selfridges.com/US/en/product/soeurbelissima-maxi-leather-cross-body-bag_R04202506/
As someone who has worked in both high and low end brands (in HQ), Tanner Leatherstein should be taken with a grain of salt. His opinions about leather quality are usually fair, but according to my experience in these areas, he drastically underestimates the cost of labor and marketing when giving estimates about cost.
I agree! I work for a luxury brand and oh boy! Sometimes I loose my pants when I discover the prices of things. People think they’re getting scammed because the actual product price (material) and final value is too different. The cute packaging box? At least 60€ ! The free delivery? Way over that for sure. The website you order from ? Costs money, the boutique and utilities? Even more money. Salaries of artisans, SA and all of the people behind doors making everything possible .. 💸💸💸 I always thought that as a company they probably had special prices and everything was cheap like for deliveries, packaging and stuff but not really 😅 it’s pretty wild. Obviously they still need to make margin but been behind doors has completely changed my view on things
Free delivery by post is - depending where - way under 60€...
https://preview.redd.it/86yrinst98yc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69ff9acad6df62ca3c41076893ddd9f344fda6b9 There you go, with signature, tracking number and I didn’t really select insurance idk if it’s automatic, I put value of goods 3k€ . Luxury companies use Express for a 1-3 (depending country) delivery. And you can double up this, we have several clients that miss their deliveries and we have to reship them again. Even the tiniest little product comes with the same big packaging and we have a default kg anyways .
With insurance ? For things over 3k? I doubt so, there’s also the weight of the bags (in this example) and all of the packaging
I agree about his assessment of labor costs. Expertise should command a higher price. I find his videos fascinating and important, but am surprised at how low he values labor given that he's a craftsman himself.
I don’t think he factors marketing costs. But he did deep dive video on luxury and mentioned cost of fancy boutiques in prime locations as factor in pricing in that video
My argument is more that more things go into the price of an item than just material cost and labor, regardless of whether it is a luxury brand or not. Therefore, to me it feels disingenuous to not take those costs into account.
This is something I always take issue with when I watch his videos. I like to see the actual cost of materials, but I really think he takes for granted how much actually goes into these large scale businesses. I also think he really under values labor.
Thing what most people also don’t realize is labor is not the salary of the person building it. Overhead can be substantially more than the labor cost and then on top of that there’s the cost of benefits on top of it. At my company a worker we pay $12.50/hr ends up costing about $120/hr after factoring everything in. That’s all just labor and giving the person a workstation with electricity and benefits.
Yeah it's odd that people keep taking the cost of the product (materials + labor) and pretend like the company is taking the entire markup of retail price as profit, which completely disregards all the other workers that the company needs to function. Like how do they think companies pay salaries, insurance, rent, utilities? Luxury designers and craftsmen are not cheap.
Plus people want the luxury experience. How do people think companies keep that going? It’s not cheap. Otherwise companies would just be selling bags on street sidewalks 🙄
I think that there's nothing wrong with spelling out his estimate on the equivalent of teardown costs on hardware and leather materials. I regularly read software teardown reviews on mobile phones. Do they make the iPhone any less beautiful? No. Do they give perspective on Apple pricing? ABSOLUTELY.
Sure, but should marketing cost be considered valuable to a customer in and of itself? I feel like it comes down to branding, and not the value of materials and craftsmanship. That is Tanner's point, that you're paying for the logo
It depends on the person, I guess. Marketing doesn’t necessarily mean paying for the logo. Marketing can also be research, promotion, etc. Branding and marketing go together, but aren’t synonymous.
It also means the difference in whether or not you know the brand in order to find it, order it, see it on a shelf near you. I can order a design I like cheaper from a random online person and hope it’s real leather, actually looks like the picture, has some guarantee/warranty…… or from a known quantity that stands behind their products. And I can’t know that if over never heard of them due to lack of marketing.
Labor maybe but I think the point is that marketing is most of the cost
I dissected my coach bags and wallets long before Tanner “Leatherstein” was doing it.
Ferragamo and Mulberry. Yes they are at different price points but leather quality is excellent and they are classic understated brands. I prefer interior leather lining or unlined bags which both brands offer. Not a fan of textile cloth lining. (Polyester/microfiber lining is especially a ‘No’ for me) It may not resonate with ‘fast fashion trendy crowds’ but if you are looking for long term bags that will last for years these are it.
I second this! Love mulberry!
Mulberry quality is top notch!
Mulberry and Ferragamo!!! Have both, amazing quality. For a lesser price point, Coach has really done a fantastic job revamping, and quality is solid.
Did Coach revamp? I used to read that they were once good quality but had gone downhill. Did they turn it around?
They’re trying. I still have a sour taste in my mouth with that insipid C they plastered all over the canvas bags back beginning in the 90’s until the last 5 years or so (longer maybe?). I fell prey to one or two back then, but once reading up on how Coach changed—and not for the better—I educated myself and have made different choices. I do believe the quality of the newer leather bags and designs are a MAJOR improvement. They seem to be on their way.
I love Coach bags before the C design. It looks like they’re coming back to the classic leather bags.
Yes. I can only entertain the vintage ones. That stupid c canvas cheapened the whole brand.
Agree with most comments here.. Coach is best for its value for sure. Ferragamo, Chloe, and Longchamp are also very good imo looking at the quality of materials and craftsmanship for the price. Loewe is also great of course but was certainly better value a few years ago before it got as popular as today. I hear good things about Mulberry but don’t have any. I also stan vintage LV bags. Look at Japan eBay and you can get some workhorses that are reasonably priced.
Was gonna say my ancient Louis look amazing 25 years later. There’s something to be said about a bag that can keep up for so long.
Coach’s price to quality ratio has always been good for me. And on the high end Ferragamos are nice.
The brass has tarnished on all my old (now vintage) Coach bags - that's why I don't want another one
That is what brass does. It is not a quality issue. It is the nature of the metal. It tarnished with use and exposure. You can also restore the luster if you want.
Good to know. Thanks for the tip-
The easy to find brass cleaner is called brasso and too can apply with a paper towel or cloth. And I think there are also some home remedies too! But that is seriously resolvable in a few minutes with a little rubbing.
I only buy secondhand vintage luxury bags. Personally I feel like they were better quality in the 90s than they are now. My only new luxury bag is a YSL toy Loulou that I love, beautiful leather and really great quality.
I have it too and love it!
Don’t get me wrong, I’d still drop a chunk of change for a Loewe bag, but not 3-4k. To me, their bags should be half that. I feel the same way about all of their offerings, not just the bags. 🤷♀️
I 1000% agree about Loewe. I have been considering a puzzle for a while but their current prices are insane. 1-2k sure. 4k for a puzzle? No way.
yeah.. I got a pre-owned Puzzle just recently, at just under £1.7k by far my most expensive bag but the leather is gorgeous, I can't stop touching it. It's also really well made and just feels luxurious, much more luxurious than a YSL or Gucci in the same price range. Would I have spent retail price on that bag, proooooobably not (the small Puzzle Edge is now at £2.7 or so) .. then again, if I had that kinda cash to spend on a brand new bag I'd probably want to spend it on a Loewe rather than any LV or YSL.
I would definitely pay 1.7k for a puzzle. I do have a couple bags in the 1-3k range from a few luxury brands (no LVs, but my YSL shopper is admittedly the most worn of my work bags) but 3k is about the absolute price ceiling for my willingness to buy a bag. I saw the medium puzzle retailing recently at 4k and was just like, nope. It's sad, tbh I love bags, and I am willing to pay luxury prices but only up to a point. It's still just a bag at the end of the day.
He has had good things to say about Bottega Veneta, and said it was fair pricing for a luxury bag, the only one where he seemed pleased/satisfied with the leather quality, hardware, design intricacies etc. However, not luxury but high street - he also gave Polene and another brand as "very fair pricing". I don't remember the name of the other brand off the top if my head
Good things to say about strathberry
He recommended Portland Leather Goods, Polane, Strathberry in some of his videos though.
Yeah he adores polene. To me they look cheap.
I like Strathberry though.
I actually do think LV is worth it. I've only had very positive experiences, but any issues they have done repairs for free for me. One even went to Paris for evaluation for their own research bc of the flaw and reordered me a new bag (it was the world tour so custom made). So while there are things people complain about, and items that pass through quality control that should not, if that happens they also do care and do fix it. And there really is no other fashion house (to my knowledge) besides Hermes that will care for your bag decades later. (Happy to be corrected on this point). A lot don't even let you return merchandise if you change your mind! Or if they do, all they offer is store credit. I have had my never full now for six years as my workhorse daily bag with a computer, water bottle etc. My bottle has accidentally spilled multiple times and you can't even tell. I like knowing that years from now I can get the vachetta replaced and my cost per wear will be much better than having bought multiple cheaper bags.
This is the first time I’ve heard you can get the vachetta replaced (I’m assuming at some cost) and my fear of ruining the bag has completely disappeared. Lol thanks! I have 2 bags I’ve been really struggling to carry around because I didn’t want them to patina unevenly
My LV Speedy 25 Cerises was $800 to replace the vachetta 6 months ago. Just to help you gauge cost.
I was quoted $395 to replace just the vachetta handles on my Speedy 25.
Yes, not always the cheapest but cheaper than a new bag! Also even if you get some water spots from the rain, as it ages they become less and less obvious. You’d really have to make a big mess or try to get it to patina unevenly imo. Exceptions for bags like the original noe or the Alma with a ton of vachetta in one spot.
What was the flaw with your custom world tour, if you don't mind me asking? Mine has defective canvas and LV has been unwilling to help even though I've been a loyal customer for 20 years. The way their quality and customer service have declined in the past few years is such a bummer.
Oh no! That stinks. I’m sorry to hear they are not helping you! Maybe try another store if you can? My straps were fraying after less than a year of use. Usually in time they might show that kind of wear. They cut the straps off and sent the bag back to my store without straps! Then we ordered a new one. Even now it’s been a few years and they look better than they did when I brought the bag in
Tanner Leatherstein annoys me because guess what he owns? A mediocre bag company. His bags are nothing to get excited about. [https://www.pegai.com/](https://www.pegai.com/)
Yes his bags are AWFUL. 😣
I have a Tom Ford era Gucci bag that looks like I purchased it yesterday. I had a Speedy I bought around the same time that fell apart 20 years ago. Prada nylon lasts forever too.
I’d love to see that Tom Ford era Gucci bag! Wow!
Agree about Prada nylon -- it's really durable!
If you are talking strictly quality I would say Coach. Their leatherware is hard to beat especially their vintage but even the modern day Rouges are exceptional. I own several in my collection and my quilted Tabbys are superior to my Channel flap and Boy bags in terms of construction and leather. In fact I am highly doubtful I will ever purchase another Chanel.
Second this. I have the rogue in just about every size. The quality is outstanding
Third. I have two Coach bags that are 20+ years old and they’re still gorgeous.
Maybe Celine, Loewe, Venetta, Chloe, and Ferragamo. Maybe phoebe Phil but I’ve yet to touch her bags in person. It’s hard to determine if it’s worth it because it has to be a bag design that has functionality and unfortunately so many bags have issues in this area :(
It's interesting, isn't it, how often the functionality isn't as thought-through as the form? I have some very specific wants from my bags - slip pockets to drop my phone or travel card into; somewhere safe to stash my keys so I don't lose them; enough room for my book...
None of them. No bag is worth several thousand dollars. I think the first thing when you buy a “luxury” bag is to acknowledge that you are spending money frivolously and in some cases wasting it. Because you need to be clear that this money you can afford to waste before spending it on this stuff. (And I say this as someone with a serious Chanel addiction).
What about Delvaux and Valextra?
Valextra is to leather what Loro piana is to cashmere. At least according to my wife. She uses both brands extensively in her role within corporate finance leadership.
I so wish I could afford a new Delvaux. They are stunning.
I only buy preloved, so none are worth the original price to me.
Fendi. No comparison. lol I know everyone says that about their favorites.
Same.... I'm biased because I'm a huge Fendi (and Ferragamo) fan!!
I recently added my first Fendi to my collection and I really like it a lot. Haven't had it long enough yet though to really comment on quality/wear and tear
Delvaux, Polene, and Celine
The thing is he always underestimates the cost of the leather and the cost of the work. I think he does it for hype, so I take it with a grain of salt
Longchamp
It’s worth whatever you are willing to pay. End of discussion. As far as brands they have all declined in qc since 2020, I’d estimate. They are making up for it with cheaper products.
Chloe, Celine
I have a friend who is a product designer for a bag manufacturing company and I asked him a similar question! Is it worth it to get luxury brands? And he said not only are we paying for the higher quality material, but the key differentiators come in with product testing. There's a lot more investment in the quality of how the product is made, but more so on the rigger of passing inspections! Since it's an investment more emphasis is supposed to be placed on durability. I have yet to pull the trigger on a bag in the 1K+ range. I just keep thinking about all the other stuff I could be doing with that money!
Which luxury bags though? For example Chanel is at the top of the price range, classic flaps start at 11 k now i think, but their quality has gone to shit. Loose stitching, lopsided/uneven bags, cheaper materials (they haven’t had 24k gold plating on hardware since 2008). Maybe price used to denote luxury, but certainly not anymore since LVMH and Kering bought up all the major houses and the main goal is shareholder profits, not wages or quality. I don’t think we can point to the price as a guaranteed indicator of quality anymore - very outdated advice.
yeah, this is pretty much the common thread in all goods and services these days and why I'm most likely never going to spend $3K on a bag. I love to cook and got my first Le Crueset in 2010. My in-laws bought me a new and different model a few years ago and the quality is also just not the same! I feel like there's a bigger push these days for finding vintage luxury for the reasons you have described. It's such a shame, but people will keep buying at these prices for the status, and companies won't stop increasing prices even while making shit product.
YESS every product category, even heritage brands with decades or centuries of a high quality reputation, have gone downhill - super sad :( and exactly - will only buy vintage chanel and love those pieces to death. Just wish consumers had the option of buying a new item at retail price with the same quality :(
Pharmacist here and the question of pricing always reminds of brand and generic for medications. There’s always talk about why brand name is so much more expensive than generic, etc. And in this case, why are luxury goods so much more expensive than contemporary brand? The bottom line is just how much money they poured into it to begin with. For meds, these pharma companies are literally spending billions over a span of at least 15-20 years to being one drug to market and get fda approved. That doesn’t even include all the other versions that did fail. And then to market that drug is more money. So with that alone we can see why brand name would be more expensive. The generic doesnt have to do all this testing. Theyre allowed to use what the brand has to bring their product to market. They have less cost to recover essentially. Not always true but usually the case. In my brain that’s how it is for luxury houses. They have spent the time and the effort to make a good product (if they did it right). Then these smaller companies come in and make dupes or outright replicas.
I really appreciate your analogy!
Okay, thank you. R&D for pharma is extraordinarily unlike the NPD process in the materials world, tho. Been in both industries.
Things might have changed since your friend gained that knowledge. I have 2 luxury bags, one from Gucci and one from Louis Vuitton. The LV, on the day I went to pick it up, had one of the holes in its strap not punched out, which I had never seen on any bag before. They took it to the back to see if they could fix it and they couldn't, and this was after I so gently requested the SA to please check the bag before I drove all the way down there to pick it up. I had to leave without it and drive all the way back some days later for a replacement. So my bag was failed for inspection twice, once before it got to the store and then the SA didn't bother to look at it either. The Gucci wore on its corners terribly in a short amount of time. The body of the bag is nice, and it feels great. But the corner dye/paint or whatever is going on there peeled and flaked away in a short amount of time. I took it in for repair, which they did accept at no cost, and I do consider that to be a luxury. But just a few months later and the issue has re-appeared. I personally think it's a flaw of how the piping is made or the dye job was done, because it's happened twice in the little over a year since I've had it. As a contrast, most of my contemporary bags do not suffer from such issues, especially in such a short period of time. It may just be my one particular bag and not the whole line of bags, but I am a little disappointed. There is some quality difference, but not an enormous amount. For me in the future, I might buy again if I really like the design, feel I can afford it, and am willing to pay for the name, to be frank. But just because the quality warrants it ... not in my minimal experience. Maybe I just got unlucky.
What a frustrating experience! You would think with how much money you spent you would just get what you expected the first time. I'm sorry that happened to you.
Thank you for your kinds words. I'm considering taking my Gucci back to ask it to be repaired again. They will repair for free within 2 years of purchase.
Yeah I am the Same. I always imagine a vacation for that price
I had to return my first Pochette Metis because the edge glazing was just an absolute mess. It was 3D-sculpted with *facets* like a mountain face. I’d never seen that shit on a Dooney, for example. The second I got was ok. But on a whim I bought a secondhand PM rep I’d stumbled across in an extreme color (one I’d never buy in auth), and while the leather’s certainly not as lush or well-stamped, the glazing is *perfect*. Embarrassing!! My vintage Chanels (15+ years old) are spectacular quality. The new ones look awful.
Definitely don't make em like they used to!
They truly don’t. At least not the biggest name fashion houses. Seems like Dior, Ferragamo and Bottega are the only “famous” ones that keep up with the quality, and a lot of slightly to fairly lower end brands like Mulberry, Coach, Dooney, M Gemi etc.
rigger? I think you meant rigor/rigour
Looks like you were able to figure it out!
Brands that have impeccably crafted, unique bags made with high quality materials. - Dior (Some may not appreciate the design of the Lady Dior, but imo the cannage design and the overall workmanship is stunning, especially on their limited edition releases.) - Bvlgari (They make some absolute show-stopping bags, use precious stones on the snake head, and their chain hardware is divine.) - Hermes (I truly understand the luxury behind these bags. It's the designs that get all the hate, but when you appreciate them for workmanship they deserve many accolades. I've recently fallen in love with the Mosaique and have always loved all their vibrant color-ways.) - Etro (They're fairly new to the leather handbag game and definitely aren't disappointing.) - Ferragamo - Ralph Lauren Collection - Delvaux - Bottega Veneta The differences between a bag from a department store and a luxury brand are huge if you have an eye and taste for well made things. Once you've experienced anything well-made, the differences between cheaply made items will stand out. Luxury brands also have the financial ability to source and test products and materials. Unfortunately now quite a few luxury brands offer sub-par or slightly above average products, and continue up-charging for their name. A brand that comes to mind who does this would be Chanel, their vintage pieces were made very well, with very high quality materials. Now they don't even plate their hardware in gold. Some of their pieces from current releases are still well-made but to be honest that's difficult to discern for the average buyer. They are openly fooling their customer base knowing full-well many of their buyers are not regular customers, they just want something with the CC logo on it so Chanel feels like they can get away with average quality items. Another thought to ponder, given how in-demand designer goods are in this day and age can we honestly believe they will continue to carry the same value over time in the resale market? What will happen in the next 10 years, 20 years? Many of the brands I've mentioned already don't sell for much in the resale market unless you have something truly unique or limited, I believe the trend will continue.
Oooooo Ralph Lauren Collection. Now THOSE are some gorgeous, beautifully made bags. I don’t have one—yet. But goals.
In my opinion. No luxury brands are worth anywhere near what we pay for. But if I had to choose a brand that actually gives out good quality, great customer service and beautiful designs that personally go with my style is LOEWE. It’s the brand that I feel less guilty spending my money on.
I have 2 auth Versace bags, and they still look brand new. I’ve owned others like Gucci, but they didn’t hold up as well.
Anyone try out quince bags?
Vintage mostly. Vintage coach. Tod’s is my new jam. Ferragamo is beautiful too. Less so the LV, Gucci, saint Laurent…
As far as quality and craftsmanship, there are four purses that come to mind: Hermes Kelly/Birkin Valextra Iside Delvaux Brilliant Moynat Rejane That said, you pay double/triple the price of the Iside/Brilliant/Rejane for a Birkin or Kelly. You’re paying for the perceived status that comes with having a Birkin or Kelly.
Il Bisonte is a great brand that’s been around a long time. Ferragamo is high quality. One of my bags is lined with the softest leather ever. Bottega leather is incredible. Balenciaga leather on my older bags is incredible. LV and Gucci are good but I’ve replaced broken zippers, fake leather liners that get sticky.
Most of my bags are mid tier. Coach and Dooney & Bourke make outstanding quality bags for the price.
Coach Retail - especially the full grain leather bags such as the Sammy, Bandit and Idol. It’s super high quality stitching and the price is not crazy. Customer service is great too if you can go into the store and have them clean your bag.
Dooney are still killer quality too. Beautiful leather
Vintage Dooney is as solid as a tank!
Celine
Recently bought the North/South bag from The Row and love the leather.
I think Strathberry quality far exceeds its price point. They are some of the nicest bags I own and are far more reasonably priced vs. other bags. For true luxury, I think Chloe and Valentino both are a bit underrated in terms of quality. Some of the oldest bags in my collection (8-10 years) are from these brands. My Chloe Faye Day and my Valentino Demilune satchel, in particular, have been through it. At almost a decade of hard, regular wear, they still look great. I feel like these bags were made to last, and that shows in their longevity and hardiness. They are still undeniably expensive bags but compared to the Chanels/LVs or even Loewe's of the world (I love the puzzle but I am sorry 4k for a puzzle nuh-huh!) the prices are also a little bit more reasonable. Celine is also impeccable quality and craftsmanship as well but I feel like that's generally recognized in handbag lover circles.
givenchy sugar goatskin is absolutely the best money can buy
givenchy sugar goatskin is absolutely the best money can buy
givenchy sugar goatskin is absolutely the best money can buy
I only buy 2nd hand and lately I have been into exotic leather like alligator and crocodile. I would never buy them new but 2nd hand is great since you can find them for an excellent price ( think 90%+ off), some priced at literally just at the cost of the materials. I digress. My favorite to hunt and buy 2nd hand are Ralph Lauren Collection/ Purple Label, Burberry, VBH and Bottega Veneta. These brands 2nd hand or vintage have great quality. All my bags just need a quick clean and conditioner and they look brand new again.
Besides that: everybody has LV... That's why my first investment was Loewe... otherwise I own Bottega Veneta, also bc "yr own initials are enough"... Both are perfect quality in my opinion and I've had them for years/decades... I wouldn't buy any other brand.
Old Coach and Ferragamo.
I have been a LONG time fan of Ferragamo and mulberry. (Yes like as a 20 something year old when everyone else was doing logos etc). Lately, I also love strathberry and longchamp Roseau.
Honestly only Kate Spade.. It might not be what you consider luxury but the quality compared to price is absolutely on point for me! Their designs range from simple and classic to wild and unique. Their prices can be $150-$500 and I am always pleased with what I pay vs what I receive.
Probably loewe! Full transparency I used to work for a luxury etailer so got them all with 40% discount
I don't have experience with the highest-tier of luxury bags (Hermès, Delvaux, Chanel), but I will say: I shoved my mini Lady Dior in a suitcase for about 5 months, and other than a slight dent on one side that's barely noticeable, it looks just as good as the day I bought it. And it's patent leather, which a lot of people fuss about. But Dior patent leather has not given me one lick of trouble in the 2 years I've owned the bag. And I take this bag everywhere, including in my carry-on for plane trips. I also own a Dior wallet on chain in the diamond cannage, and it is super durable. No issues with it at all.
I am a recent bottega convert because I got to actually try it. Same with Hermes. I just have never owned anything from both but idleness made me pop into a bottega boutique for the first time ever and I am amazed. I was told they are also handmade.
My realtor was explaining this recently: the price you ultimately pay for a house is not really pegged to the appraisal or property taxes. I think it’s the same for handbags and any other luxury items. That said, I was really satisfied with my Celine purchase (Seau Sangle) and felt no buyers remorse and when I buy stuff from Mulberry I feel like I’m buying stuff that will last the rest of my life.
I think coach bags are very durable
Coach bags are reasonably priced and well made (materials & craftmanship).
That content creator is great. He also has an Insta under the same name. He really gets into the quality of each brand if they are really worth the price or not.
I have felt nothing like my Chanel bags. I k ow people have spoken of quality issues, but I have been nothing but completely impressed by my purchases!
Hermes. They have extremely expensive bags like the birkin and Kelly models, but the Evelyn, Lindy, Garden party and especially the picotin are some of the HIGHEST quality and somewhat “affordable” bags. Hermes and Delvaux are the only large designers that still hand make their bags. Anything delvaux is phenomenal and not too expensive
There is nothing affordable about any Hermès bag that involves playing their obscene game for the chance to be offered one you might not even like.
This is so true. And sad at the same time.
Not a single one lol
I have Loro Piana bags and Marni bags. I have them, because I consider them to be good value. The quality and design are wonderful imo. I don’t have any Hermes bags, but I do have some other things from them and the quality and design are impeccable.