Last week I was browsing the Chloé site, innocently of course, when I spontaneously decided to check out the See by Chloé handbag selection. I have never shopped See by Chloé before, but was instantly smitten with a few of the designs and was struck by how similar the bags are to the Chloé mainline. I just bought a Faye bag in December and wished I had browsed the See by Chloé section before pulling the trigger on my Faye. I wouldn’t say I had buyer’s remorse over my Faye (she is so lovely!), but it was a good reminder that I could have gotten a similar style for a lot less money. This got me thinking about just how much I appreciate contemporary lines for providing shoppers with trendy, stylish options at a more budget conscious price point. With the fashion trickle effect, contemporary brands often reinterpret styles created by premier designers that are out of reach for the general consumer and make it more accessible to the masses, aka me!
As a bag lover, I have developed the mentality that it’s always better to purchase handbags from a premier designer. Truthfully, that’s just not my financial reality and while I do purchase 1-3 premier designer handbags a year, many of my favorite bags in my closet are from contemporary lines that I have scored amazing deals on. The more my tastes and personal aesthetic have evolved, the more I’ve learned that more expensive does not necessarily mean better when it comes to bags, or anything in my closet for that matter. I’ve found that when I am completely head over heels for a handbag but it’s out of my price point, I am still able to find a beautiful, more financially accessible bag that I love just as much instead. I’ve also recently developed an interest in the vegan handbag market, which will provide me with the opportunity to potentially score some awesome looks for less while hopefully exploring some new brands and saving a few bucks in the New Year!
I’ve rounded up 10 of my favorite looks for less below! Do you have a favorite? I think the JW Pei Circle bag may be my first purchase of 2019.
Mansur Gavriel Circle Crossbody and Friday by JW PEI Circle Bag
Saint Laurent Sac Du Jour and Michael Kors Mercer Satchel
Mulberry Amberley Satchel and Matt and Nat Rubicon Rio
Fendi Peekaboo Mini and ZAC Zac Posen Eartha
Gucci Marmont Matelassé Bag and Kate Spade Reese Park Courtnee
Louis Vuitton Petite Noe and Kara Moon Drawcord Baby Bucket Bag
Saint Laurent Loulou Shoulder bag and Rebecca Minkoff Edie Flap Shoulder Bag
Hermès Kelly and Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Satchel
Balenciaga Everyday Tote and Marc Jacobs
Prada Leather Belt Bag and Coach Belt Bag
The Tory Burch take on the Kelly bag is quite elegant!
It is! But is it only available in yellow???
I think the TB is so chic! It also looks like it would be easier to get into than Kelly.
It looks really good indeed. But I’d still prefer a Kelly! 😉
From the photos, the TB looks nicer!
I totally agree. A much sleeker look, cleaner lines.
But unlike the Hermes Kelly, no shoulder strap 🙁
There are more similar designs for these bags.
Michael Kors Mercer bag : 
Coach Belt Bag:
My thoughts exactly.
Great post!
Best post in a long time. Clever, fun. Great sleuth! And I have been a PB follower from the beginning.
I love contemporary bags, and many of these are quite lovely, but I don’t really like the brands that are basically sending out knockoff designs (the Rebecca Minkoff and Kate Spade ones are the biggest offenders of the group listed above). I used to love Rebecca Minkoff when she had original designs – her M.A.B. was one of my first forays into nicer handbags – but it seems like lately, all of her offerings are copies of high end best-sellers. (Also not a fan of Michael Kors designs for this same reason, though the one above doesn’t seem to be that much of a copycat.)
Agree. I also want to nominate Michael Kors, which is even worse!
One more vote for MK here. I think he’s much, much worse than RM!
Just today, I saw a Michael Kors version of the mini peek-a-boo. The colors were beautiful and the leather was so soft. It’s on my list.
Ooohhh. Now im searching.
FashionableLena (:
Hmm…this post seems eerily similar to the whole premise behind a much lesser known blog https://on-handbags.blogspot.com which started in 2017.
And ended in 2017…
Yes, true! But infringement didn’t…
The look for less isn’t a new concept.
Great post!
Some shelter magazines do similar compares with mirrors, lamps, sofas, etc., and I nearly always like the less expensive version, like that TB bag.
I love the Kara Moon Drawcord Baby Bucket Bag!
I wish I were this open-minded about contemporary bags. I have browsed them during the after-Christmas sale and there were quite attractive bags at great prices, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger. I can’t picture myself carrying them. Being a Purseblog reader for a few years now has turned me into a strange kind of bag snob 🙁
This sight does do a really good job of showing us just what all, we’re otherwise, missing. Ignorance can be quite blissful! But this sight has also drawn attention, at least for me, to the young, up-starts out there who need our support, to get a foothold in the marketplace. I like to think of it as being a Patron of the Arts, helping a starving artist get established! I remember a little known designer by the name of Jason Wu rocket to stardom, when our First Lady Michelle Obama choose to wear his creations on Inaugural Day. She knew, it would change his life, & it did! There is something really cool in that. We need their creativity, to keep these heady premiere design houses on their toes!
I’m sure you’re doing a great enough job supporting the cheaper brands.
Hah! Is that sarcasm I hear? ?
“Cheaper” doesn’t nessesarily mean “less than”. Premier brands cost more, because you’re paying for the designer’s name. But you know that, already! ??
Whatever you say, “fox”
I think the Zac Posen bag looks more like a Celine Trapeze more than anything tbh. Loved this article!
I was moreso thinking it looks like a Fendi 3jours…. don’t really see how it’s even comparable to a peekaboo
I loved this post! I think the comparisons were great and I really love that Tory Burch bag!! It’s now on my list. 🙂
The red coach bag is the best – quality leather, best crafsmanship, and affordable price. I do not know why people pay more for the same quality purse, just because of the “brand”!
Agree with Coach quality! Their Rogue or bucket bags are so well made, better than some designer bags.
I really liked the red coach belt bag, over the Prada! Prada is just so insanely overpriced (in my humble opinion), & they don’t hold up any better. When you have a large collection of bags, I don’t think any bag will get worn out from wear. Seriously? It’s just such a “high-brow”, pretentious excuse to make.
While I appreciate the comparisons they are not comparable as far as quality is concerned. I own high end handbags such as Hermes, Gucci, Dior, etc., but I’ve also owned lesser known brands. Many of the lower end bags are made in China and simply do not hold up. However, in the past year I have purchased bags from European designers made in Paris, London, etc. These include Strathberry, Polene, etc. and I’m more than pleasantly surprised with the $400-$500 price and the quality.
Price is one thing, but quality is important, too. You have be discerning.
I’m going to checking out Strathberry and Polene…thanks for the recommendations.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
Can this become a reacurring article. I am always trying to get the looks I love for great prices and some of these are pretty good.
Agree the Tory Burch take on the Kelly bag is the novelist one.
Used to like Michael Kors but don’t like them at all as they just look the same.