Help buying handbag for wife
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Anonymous
| My wife does not spend much money on herself. She goes shopping but ends up not buying because they are too expensive and not worth the money. She gets by on pretty inexpensive handbags. She is in a very highly qualified and specialized job and I want to buy something nice. She looked at a few Coach handbags and she think they are generally nice but I have really no clue on how to select one. All I know is she wants something not too small and not very big. Something in the mid to large size range. Color is probably black or white or some color that can go with majority of her clothes. I would really appreciate any suggestions. |
Anonymous
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such a sweet thing to do, DH. i am a handbag person and treat myself to them often. Personally hate Coach.... I would recommend you try J.Crew or Dooney & Burke if your wife has a classic, plain style. Stick to black or tan leather (white will stain).
Here is an example- http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Women/PRD~57107/57107.jsp good luck! |
Anonymous
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What type of bag does she tend to go for? With handles? Or with a strap on her shoulder?
I know, for example, that personally I LOVE the look of a handbag with handles--but especially when my kids were little and I was out with them, it was just not practical for me...and the easiest for me to use was a cross body style...but if she will be using the bag on workdays, when the kids aren't around, maybe her needs are different? I agree with the previous poster that black or brown is a better choice than white. 
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Anonymous
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19:29 here...
A few nice ones I like http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kate-spade-new-york-mansfield-liv-satchel/3218923?origin=category&resultback=543 http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cole-haan-eliza-village-satchel/3243123?origin=category&resultback=1987 http://www.lordandtaylor.com/eng/handbags-Crossbodies-Large_Pocket_Bag-lordandtaylor/190876 I've wanted this one for a long time... |
Anonymous
Anonymous
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How sweet is this! I don't like to spend money on myself either, but designer bags are on major sale right now at Lord & Taylor and department stores, bringing them to almost-reasonable (to me) prices. If your wife is uncomfortable spending $400 on a purse, she might still be uncomfortable with your doing the same (as I would). But you can get 60-70% off right now with the post-xmas sales and store coupons. And you could ask a sales clerk or other shoppers for advice. I got a $300 bag the other day for $105, which I could stomach. Good luck!
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Anonymous
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If your wife does not spend money on handbags, I think you should not spend money on handbags for her. Everyone has her priorities when it comes to spending the big money; handbags are clearly not at the top of her list. You say that your wife believes expensive handbags are "not worth the money." Please don't try to tell her that you know better.
I, too, have a husband who disagrees with me on what I should splurge on for myself. He used to buy me the things that he thought I should have; I hated that. It was patronizing. Now he understands that I, like him, have strong opinions on what is "worth the money," and he does not try to force his choices on me. Your efforts to buy your wife a handbag are well-intentioned but probably will not being her the most satisfaction from the gift. |
Anonymous
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I agree with PP. Part of it is, with kids, you are putting CRAP in your purse - dirty tissues, sippy cups, half-eaten granola bars, etc. It will get ruined! She doesn't want to have to worry about it.
I have found that zappos.com has a ton of reasonably priced bags that are in the $100-$200 range, which I think is a good compromise for quality/style without being too worried about it getting ruined. Also keep in mind that purse size needs to be consistent with the size of the woman. You don't want a huge purse if your wife is petite; however, if she's tall or curvy, then you'll want something bigger so comparatively she's not dwarfing her purse. Little 'feet' on the bottom are a great bonus for flat-bottomed purses. Get something that zips at the top and preferably has internal pockets, maybe an external pocket or two. You want a fabric that will clean easily and minimal 'decorations' that will get ruined. Personally I have found the hobo/shoulder styles to be best; they go on your shoulder easily but can also fit a diaper and a sippy cup if needed. A black/white design would be ok but white will be asking for trouble. |
Anonymous
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I think you should treat het! This is so nice, OP! Why don't you give her a gift card to Coach if that is the store she has previously mentioned. She can get what SHE wants, this way, right?
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Anonymous
| I like the red Kate Spade one posted. I have the green one and I like it a lot in the Fall and Spring. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks for all your feedback.
Just to provide more info, my wife is pretty frugal spender and she does not spend much money on anything for herself. Not jewelery, not clothes, not shoes... Most of what she buys is pretty basic from Target/Kohls/JC Penney. Gift card would be weird to give to my wife - I wont go into details why. Every time she spends 2 hours shopping without buying anything, I keep telling her to buy without worrying about money. She cannot get herself to spend say a couple of hundred dollars on a handbag and I want to take away that mental block by buying myself. Anyway, I think she might like http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cole-haan-eliza-village-satchel/3243123?origin=category&resultback=1987 I like the sandlewood color but want to check if it is a color that can go with most colors of clothes. Or would black be better? Thanks again for all your help. |
Anonymous
| She would take the handbag for office in a professional setting so children stuff would not be a big issue. |
Anonymous
| If this is going to be her one nice bag, I would stay away from bright colors and go with the basics (black or brown, gray). Also, structured bags like the ones posted above don't quite fit so much. Softer bags tend to look smaller when not filled but accomodate more stuff. Maybe something like this? http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/michael-michael-kors-jet-set-large-gathered-leather-shoulder-tote/3242201?origin=category&resultback=2888 |
Anonymous
I just noticed that the handbag is open top. She wants something that can be secured in some way. Also she really prefers something classic as she is not into anything too trendy. |
Anonymous
| Go with a classic bag in black or dark beige. Avoid trendy colors that won't work from season to season, or an unusual design. |