Purses for leather snobs?

[hoopoe]

dont overlook local crafts workers at farmer market and fairs. Specialty handmade craft stores and consignments. Here is a Seattle craftsman roll down for varied designs

https://stickmanleather-105124.square.site/

[luvmyhackney]

Freeman’s makes gorgeous buttery soft bags. They are pricey, but I’ve had mine for years now and looks like when I purchased.

[Snowdenfarm]

Oh my yes, these are beautiful. https://freedmanharness.com/collections/handbags

[Nova2000]

I have a bag from here. I am incredibly impressed by the leather, especially for the price. As I wear it continues to get softer

The Wanderer's Travel Co.

[wsmoak]

Okay these aren’t pretty fashion purses, but Duluth Trading Company has bags made of real leather that will not make you cringe when you touch it. I have one of the Lifetime Leather totes.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/search/?lang=default&brandName=root&q=lifetime+leather

Locally we have White Oak Pastures (sustainable farm, aiming for zero waste) making things from hides from the cows they process on site https://whiteoakpastures.com/collections/leather-accessories

Similarly, Fortune Hole Farm makes bags and wallets https://www.facebook.com/Fortune-Hole-Farm-262280450886364/

[soloudinhere]

JW Hulme, for more utilitarian last-forever sort of bags

Cocinelle uses beautiful italian leathers, as does Massacessi and Marco is so sweet.

My favorite American brand is FOUNT.

In the luxury price point, Moynat is top flight. Price to match.

[Red_Barn]

@Go_Fish

I have Dooney and Bourke bags that are well over 30 years old and still going strong. I love their pebble grain leather and they aren’t ridiculously expensive.

I love Dooney and Bourke! They’re affordable, they’re made in the United States, and they wear like iron. My all-time favorites are the Saffiano leathers, which are simultaneously sleek and rugged.

As it happens, they’ve just come out with an uncharacteristically goofy “Western” collection with horseshoe details:

https://www.dooney.com/the-western-collection/?pg=1&start=0&sz=24

Can’t decide if I love it or hate it . . . I definitely love the bandana lining. That’s 100% adorable.

[pony_baloney]

Lotuff. Made in USA. Totally unaffordable by me but a preppy blog I read is always showing them off and they’re gorgeous.

[eightpondfarm]

i amassed a huge collection of used Coach, Dooney and a few miscellaneous other bags that i use as pommel and cantle bags. I also use them as across my body treat bags for horse training when i’m on the ground. The Coach bags are super soft and just don’t wear out. Dooney’s get rough looking, but wear forever too.

[sprite]

Another vote for Duluth Trading Co. I have a crossbody bag that I LOVE.

[JenEM]

Meanwhile Back on the Farm

Disclaimer- I rode with the owner when we were growing up. The pricing is in line with some of the stuff like Kate Spade and Coach, but the leather is SO much nicer than anything new I’ve touched from them. And all the stuff from Meanwhile Back on the Farm is made in Virginia.

[mvp]

@jonem004

I have not loved the Coach bags I’ve seen in their brand store. The one I owned has the edges of the handle peel off and started shedding threads from the (clearly not leather) handle.
The Hermès look delicious but I need something bigger to carry my matronly volume of crap.

@Bogie Do you think maybe the vintage bags are better quality? Seems like coach has a pop culture up tick in the last couple of decades, but it’s completely possible I just never noticed before.

No, no, not the current Coach store. You need a vintage Coach bag. And, yes, you can get a Winnebago sized one if you need to.

[mvp]

@ThreeWishes

Not sure if it’s the same caliber as coach or Prada but in my estimation the purses I’ve bought from the big names in the last 10 years have been less than stellar. This brand is American made and very horsey
https://rebeccaraydesign.com/

https://rebeccaraydesign.com/bags/handbags.html

I don’t think the leather on these will be quite on par with the quality of vintage Coach. I own some of Rebecca Ray’s belts and they are nice. Also, I think those old Coach bags’ styling was more timeless, but this could just be me jonesing for the '80s. But if I were going to spend $431 (the cost of the on-sale purse I like), I wouldn’t be please with the quality. Also, I could do better than spending $431 on a leather purse in the first place.

The short story is that I have seen both leather goods in person and I don’t think they are on par. Just an FYI and an opinion.

[blue_heron]

Would you be so kind as to drop the blog link?

[mht]

https://www.m0851.com/m0_usd_en/bags

I have a couple of purses and wallets from this company, as does my daughter. Good leather, great quality. They have some nice clothing, as well.
.

[Bogie]

Vintage Coach crossbodies under $45.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=vintage+coach+crossbody&_sacat=0&_udhi=45

Lots of the Willis bags, which are quite nice. Also the Legacy bags. I just need to keep reminding myself that I have more than I need.

[Posting_Trot]

So many ways to spend money after reading this thread! In fact, I went onto ebay and bought a “vintage” Coach bag, just because, you know.

Let me also sing the virtues of Hobo bags. There are different sorts made with different leathers, but some of the older style bags are made with beautiful, thick, soft leather.

[pony_baloney]

Lotuff–Salt Water New England. Lots of drool-worthy clothes and nice photos.

[Heinz_57]

@hoopoe

dont overlook local crafts workers at farmer market and fairs. Specialty handmade craft stores and consignments.

If you’re simply looking for a really nice leather purse and not buying specifically for the status symbol of many of the brands mentioned - I agree with this. Find a leather craftsman who knows high end leather! If you can’t find one locally, there are many shops on Etsy.

[cllane1]

Since @hoopoe and @Heinz_57 mentioned local crafts workers, I’ll plug https://www.buloxleather.com/

Handmade, customizable, gorgeous stitching and rivets. I have 3 of his bags.

Plus, he’s a neighbor and I have visited his shop and seen firsthand the time and care he puts into his leather.