Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

I now own only 4 handbags… A classic Hermes, a M. Andonia, a Dooney and Burke and a Perlina.

I am closet fan of beautifully crafted handbags. They don’t have to be brand names or even have recognizable designer logos. It’s the craftsmanship I adore. So I naturally tend to pick out handbags that are expensive and just out of my affordable range.

Ages ago there was the most outrageous outlet for handbags. Handbag Hang Up in Culver City. My mom took me there to get my first real handbag. I got an older Chanel style at 50% off original retail. Gosh I loved it. Wore it till it fell apart. When I went back I was in my Rock N Roll Punk stage and got a funky Italian leather pony hair bag with tasseled shoulder strap for a mere pittance. I also wore it till the pony hair was worn off. When I went back the third time, this fabulous bargain source was gone, kaput, never to be seen again.

But though these were lovely handbags, it was my later visits to the Italian Handbag outlet in the late 1990’s (also now closed) that cinched the deal. This old time handbag manufacturer had the most beautifully crafted bags, even if they were seriously dated in design. He had bags in his store room that were at least twenty years old. But each one was meticulously crafted and beautifully designed.

Every time I went, I was schooled in design, leathers, craftsmanship and what to look for when examining a bag. I was told tales of the early days of Salvatore Ferragamo and given the inside scoop on the Gucci family. But the end result of this education has made me one difficult person to satisfy when shopping for a handbag. Or perhaps it’s my beer budget with champagne tastes. Either way, when I find a bag, it’s upscale and out of my reach. A Tod’s, Chanel or Chloe often running up into the thousands. I’m doomed. I can’t even walk into Marshall’s without find some gorgeous leather handbag for $250 instead of $550.

My latest tastes are running to the more affordable with really beautiful designs and quality craftsmanship. My current favorite lines are Kooba, Isabella Fiore and Hobo International…. Still averaging over $400 a bag. I am now on the hunt for a bag from last season Kooba line. This gorgeous funky line is super hard to find at a price I can afford. My last handbag purchases were a Perlina (new $150) and a Dooney and Burke ($150 used), both good, useful, if slightly basic bags that should stand up to wear and tear and give some resemblance to fashion. If I want to get what I want, I’ve got to spend more. Settling for a vinyl look a like won’t do. I either need to get over my quiet obsession or get on a more serious hunt to get what I want for less.

Aah the bargain hunt continues….