Designer Handbag Looks For Less

Who doesn’t love a designer handbag? A classic designer bag won’t ever go out of style and the price per wear will make more sense over time. But, what if you don’t have a huge chunk of change to invest in a pricey bag at the moment? In case it’s not in the budget to afford the real deal, I’ve found some designer handbag looks for less.

Chanel Double Flap vs. Good Night Macaroon

Chanel is known for its classic Double Flap bag. Even vintage bags sell for $3000 or more. I’ve found a good dupe without the CC logo on the clasp by Good Night Macaroon. It’s vegan leather instead of lambskin and a small fraction of the cost of a real Chanel bag,

Chanel Boy Bag vs. Rebecca Minkoff

I have been coveting Chanel Boy bags since 2011 when they first debuted. But, Rebecca Minkoff does a good impression of the original Boy Bag. Anytime I wear my Rebecca Minkoff, I always get complimented. Many have stopped me to say they love my Chanel bag. I always tell them it’s Rebecca Minkoff, but the look is so similar to the Chanel Boy, it’s easily duped. The black-toned hardware of the small RM bag is a plus because it goes with whatever jewelry you’re wearing. The RM shoulder strap has a leather piece connecting the chain so it’s comfortable over your shoulder. Below there are two different sizes of the same bag which is why the price difference.

Bottega Veneta vs. Mansur Gavriel

A favorite designer bag by many is the Bottega Veneta Cloud. But, the $2700 price is sometimes hard to swallow during a recession. Mansur Gavriel does a great job with its buttery soft leather of the Cloud bag, at 1/5th of the cost. This bag in biscotti is seasonless and looks just as good with a dress as it does with a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. The little dip in the top of the Mansur Gavriel frame fits nicely under your shoulder too.

Bottega Veneta vs. Dragon Diffusion

Intrecciato leather is one of the signatures of a Bottega Veneta bag or tote. Dragon Diffusion and Loeffler Randall each have totes of woven leather. Here are a few great totes that lend itself to a similar look.

Final Thoughts

I believe that one of the best ways you can have a sustainable wardrobe is by investing in a classic designer handbag. But, during uncertain times, sometimes you need to just “get the look” instead of investing. If you can afford to invest in a designer bag, I would choose Chanel or Bottega Veneta. These are two design houses that tend to hold their value more than a used car. Keeping your bag clean, stored in a dust bag, and fixing any scuffs or hardware will allow you to keep it forever. If you maintain the bag, you can resell it and make most of its value back. Some special vintage bags will get you even more money over time. Just make sure you keep the authenticity documentation, the dust bag, and, even the box it came in for top resale value.

Designer Handbag Looks For Less