As you probably know, Treats and Trends is all about finding affordable fashion. However there are some items that are worth investing in, with handbags being one of them. This doesn’t mean you have to spend multiple paychecks on one purse, though. Of course I would love the Chloe ‘Drew’ crossbody, YSL bag or Chanel quilted flap purse, but $2,000+ is slightly out of my price range (and by slightly, I mean really). There are plenty of high-quality designer handbags under $500 that look just as chic. My parents gave me a black Coach tote for my birthday almost 10 years ago (similar to this one) and I still use it on a regular basis. It has a timeless look, so it won’t go out of style and it hardly shows any wear. I also have a Michael Kors bag that has gotten a lot of use over the last couple years (seen here and here). I was worried that the blush color would show dirt easily, but the durable fabric has stayed really clean even though I use it on a daily basis. My more expensive bags definitely hold up better than my cheaper finds (although I do love those, too!).
Outfit details:
Cardigan (similar here for $20) | Cami | Jeans
Booties (3 colors and all sizes available!) | Purse ℅ | Sunglasses
When you’re debating about purchasing a designer handbag, calculate the cost per wear to see if you’ll get your money’s worth. If it’s a tote that you are going to wear to work every day for at least two years (5-day work week, 50 weeks per year) that’s about 500 wears, so if the bag costs $500 that is only $1 each time you wear it. That’s only a fourth of your Starbucks coffee! Although the price tag might seem like a lot upfront, it’s an item that you’ll use for a long time. Just stay away from trends since they fade quickly. Stick with a classic style, like a saddlebag or large tote in a neutral color so that you can wear it with everything. I love the burgundy color of my purse in this post because it’s very versatile and matches all of the other earth-tone items in my closet. Also, it’s a simple style so I’m sure I will be wearing it for years to come.
Here are more designer handbags under $500:
