For a first designer bag, I would get something that is classy and holds its value. It is ok if it is a smaller bag not a workhorse. First designer bag is like the first love. You will remember it fondly and smile every time you use it, but it is not the one that goes the distance.

As for Duclos, the name carries the heritage but the bags (design and craftsmanship in its current iteration) is quite new. They were bought by an investor and hired a creative director who is making splash. I like their leather but don’t like the big shines hardware on their bags. They will get scratches quickly and look tacky. The bags haven’t been around long enough for the wear and tear test. In these price range, you might as well get relived Chanel flaps in the larger size.

Anonymous wrote:OP, if it's your first designer bag, go with something recognizable and current. I would go with one of the following: Saint Laurent le 5 a 7 shoulder bag, Prada Cleo, Bottega Veneta Jodie, Gucci Jackie, Loewe Puzzle.

DCUM is where only obscure, unrecognizable brands are seen as classy. This is not the reason most people buy designer bags.

1) the brands suggested are not obscure. You just don’t know them. (2) the reason they were suggested because they are hand stitched and thus worth the price. These are all Hermes quality bags without the Hermes price tag. Sure go ahead and spend $2000 on a mediocre bag that costs so little to make. If I am going to spend that much money then I might as well get my money’s worth.

I’d say just buy what you love and what you think you will use a fair amount. For me personally, I wouldn’t use a larger size bag because I work in healthcare and my “work bag” just gets carried from my car to the locker room and then stuffed in my locker all day. So I purchased a smaller LV chain wallet that I take out to dinner, shopping etc. Also, my husband purchased a Gucci bag for me from Fashionphile for Christmas. I ended up exchanging the one he got for a smaller one since I thought I would use it more, and the process was smooth on their website and both the bag I returned and the one I ended up getting were in perfect condition. Whatever you decide, enjoy 😊!

Anonymous wrote:I love the LV Graceful. But I would do the traditional monogram. It will age better.

I'm not a fan of any noticeable designer bags other than LV or Hermes. So there's that. (I have them both.) But my daily runaround bag is a Parker Thatch Medium Jane. https://parkerthatch.com/products/medium-jane-slouch-bag-leather-luggage-1

Agreed that if you can go into a store or boutique you'll get a better sense of the size.

I have a Parker Thatch Large Mimi, and I adore it. It's such good quality, and I love two others, but cannot justify, sigh. But this bag has replaced my Chloe tote and I use it for everything. Don't sleep on this brand!

I do want to say that if you buy a luxury bag, please make sure you use it. Don't let it sit on your shelf - let it get out there and live. Sure it might get a bit dinged up, but at least enjoy it. I have a friend who is afraid to use her fancy bags. I have a few (like, 3) fancy bags, and I wanted to really enjoy them if I was going to drop that much money on them.

The downside is that my 8 year old daughter has already told me she will get all my stuff when I die, and I haven't slept since