Blog Debates

Prada versus Chloe. Which of these two bags would you choose? Vlad and I need to make a decision for a gift for a friend of ours, Pam from ThatPamChick. Fairly new into the world of luxury handbags, Pam wants to find a bag she can use everyday. We narrowed it down to two and now it is time for you all to tell us what you think!

Prada: This Prada bag is an instant classic. A simple hobo shape with buttery calfskin leather and slight pleating detail, this is truly a bag that will last for seasons. Prada does calfskin like no other, so worst case Pam can use this as a pillow in a time of need. There is an 8″ shoulder drop and dimensions are 13½”W X 11″H X 6″D. $1550 via Saks.

Chloe: I adore this Chloe bag. It mixes a bit of a work feel with a totally timeless touch. This is the Chloe Victoria Tote which also is sporting beautiful Italian leather with a metallic bow hardware. There are double handles and the dimensions are 16½”W X 12″H X 3″D. $1295 via Saks.

 Loading ...

The subjects of what kind of person buys counterfeit bags and what buying counterfeit says about a person have, admittedly, been discussed to death. On our forum and in other places, both the fake haters and the fake lovers have very, very strong opinions. People in this debate seem to get offended quickly and take the choices of the other side personally. Fake buyers think that real buyers are fashion-industry dupes; real buyers think that fake buyers are cheapskates that want everyone to think they’re rich.

The issue of counterfeiting is rife with the problems of legality, intellectual property, socioeconomics, and conspicuous consumption. Great thinkers like Jean Baudrillard have struggled mightily over the value of authenticity, the role of the replica, and what said role says about the society which embraces it. Handbags are obviously only a part of the overall authenticity question, but when Louis Vuitton can increase earnings even in a global recession, they might be a part worth considering with increased seriousness.

And that’s exactly what Duke and MIT researcher Dan Ariely did.

Click to find out his results...

There is no ignoring the state of the economy worldwide right now. People are cutting back spending, trying to save, and many are simply trying to get by. While Serena Williams has garnered over $22 million in career prize money, the court queen is cutting back as well, opting for a $12 American Apparel Handbag rather than opting for the latest designer handbag. It is not just the average Joe that needs to watch his spending, most of the world is doing just that. Her bag of choice is probably the American Apparel Bull Denim Woven Cotton Tote [$12].

Are you cutting back spending? How has the economy affected you?

Jan. 23 (Bloomberg) — Even Serena Williams, with $22 million in career prize money, is spending less because of a recession that’s left tennis scouting for sponsors.

“I really cut back,” said Williams, carrying a $12 American Apparel Inc. bag in Melbourne, where the No. 2-ranked player is bidding for a fourth Australian Open title. “I don’t know if it’s because it’s everywhere in the media, but I am.”

Tennis is feeling the financial crisis beyond Williams’s thrift. Four men’s ATP Tour events are without sponsors in 2009; the women’s warm-up event for the French Open was canceled after losing its backer; the ATP has shed its principal sponsor; and reserves at ruling bodies have been sliced by tumbling markets.

Read full article via Bloomberg

I ran across a story that should prove to be a very interesting debate. A lawsuit was filed November 10th between Saks Fifth Avenue and a customer, who bought a pair of diamond earrings and a brooch as a set for $28,000. Only problem is that the Saks sales associate priced them as a set, when they were not. The $48,000 price tag had fallen off the brooch. The proper price should have been $76,000. Saks asked the customer to pay the difference and wrote in a letter following several phone calls, it would charge her credit card for the full amount. The customer stood her ground and said she should not have to pay the difference and Saks wants the difference. So here we are, in a lawsuit.

Who is right? Who would you side with; Saks or the customer?

Saks Fifth Avenue is suing a customer, over thousands of dollars worth of mis-priced jewelry.

Emily Pickering is being sued by the retail store after two clerks sold her diamond earrings and a diamond broach as a set for $28,000.

Turns out, the earrings and the broach weren’t a set — and should have been sold for $76,000.

The store’s General Manager called Pickering, told her of the mistake, and asked her to either return the jewelry or pay up at a discounted price.

Court documents show Pickering refused.

Now Saks is suing her for the price of the broach and its lawyers’ fees.

Story via

Tell us after the jump...

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But is it really? Why is it that we have no problem saying that to one another but when we are the person being taken from we do not feel flattered in the least bit? So I wonder how designers feel about this very issue. I am not speaking of the counterfeit market, rather the bags that look eerily similar to the others.

I know you have all seen it at one time or another; opened up Saks or Neimans or Shop Bop, browsed some new bags, said to yourself, ‘Oh there is a Prada/Gucci/Chloe” but no, you were mistaken. It was, in fact, a totally different designer with a very familiar look. How can this be? Is it pure coincidence or theft?

Let’s have a debate. When is the last time you saw one designer take from another? Does it perturb you or do you believe it is simply flattery?

 Loading ...

The handbag on my holy grail list is a 30 cm Hermes Crocodile Birkin. I don’t need it to be diamond encrusted, I don’t need 100 of these, just one would be amazing. And with a price tag getting in the realm of a brand new car, this bag will remain on my holy grail list as of now.

There are some that put all handbag money aside into a jar for one specific bag. Waiting for the money to build up so they can buy that one holy grail. And there are others that simply buy a few new bags every year, wanting more bags rather than one super pricey bag.

Where do you fall? Do you save for one or buy many?

As I wait in line to buy groceries, I notice two people in front of me using coupons. Initially, I am thinking, “I picked the wrong line, AGAIN.” But then I realize that I am the one that is missing out on the deals, I am the one always paying full price, and I really need to re-consider my lack of coupon or bargain shopping. Sure, I have a CVS card, and sometimes I get a few bucks off, but there are people that gets hundreds of dollars off every time they go to the grocery store, every time they go to Target, etc. What is wrong with me that I literally throw money away, that I see a coupon and somehow always forget to take it with me?

So don’t take a lead from me on bargain shopping, because I am admittedly horrible at it. And coupons? Don’t ask me either. But there is someone who I would love to shop behind for one day. To follow and see how it is that she does what she does. A woman who once had a bill at Target for over $380 and paid a mere two cents. TWO CENTS!!! I will tell you what, I am doing something wrong for sure.

You must read the article to see precisely how amazing using coupons and codes can be. My jaw dropped reading what savings are to be had! Doesn’t mean I will get my act together and do it myself, but worth a look and read.

 Loading ...

Read the full article at 11Alive

When we started this website, Purse Blog seemed like a perfectly fitting name. But over time I realized that I tend to use the word handbag more than purses. And then, of course, for short I use the term bag. Both terms mean the same thing, but I still find myself gravitating toward saying designer handbags rather than designer purses. Some people have told me that men use the word more often than women, not sure if this is true.

As I discuss our website and business with outsiders, the terms purses and handbags are thrown around. Most recently I was asked which term we prefer. And I immediately said handbags. Then realized that our site and forum are named Purse Blog and Purse Forum. Of course both terms can be used interchangeably, and denote the same meaning, but I prefer one over the other.

 Loading ...

Sex and the City movie poster

In about one hour masses of people will be sitting down to watch the most highly talked about movie of the summer, Sex and the City. But is this movie worth the hype? To be honest, I would not want to be in their place, nor the producers place, nor the wardrobes place, nor anyone affiliated with the movie’s place. When something is chalked up to be something so incredible, the expectations are set high (many times unattainably high). Don’t get me wrong, I am of course going to see the movie and of course incredibly excited. But I feel like some early reviews have only been mediocre, and even if the movie is great, it is going to be hard to fill the shoes that have been built for it. I will probably go see the movie Monday, which will still be crazy, but not as crazy as tonight at midnight. Really, I am excited for a fun plot and great outfits (and of course the glorious bags!!). Which of you are already in the long line waiting to get in? Which of you are so excited you can hardly stand it? And which of you think it is over-hyped?