Popular Designer Handbags

Womens Handbags - Coach Handbags, Radley Bags or Louis Vuitton

Womens Leather Handbags

Which are the most popular womens handbags? When it comes to designer handbags it is clear that women have very different ideas about which are the best bags. For sheer volume it appears that Louis Vuitton wins hands down. Louis Vuitton bags are the most searched for on the Internet and the LV name is probably the most famous and respected designer handbag brand in the world. One reason for this is that Louis Vuitton was the first maker of designer handbags and all the rest merely followed Louis Vuitton's example. This has led to a major problem with fake and replica Louis Vuitton handbags - see - How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton.

Of all the Louis Vuitton bags available it is probably the classic Louis Vuitton Speedy that most people think of when they think Louis Vuitton.

The LV Monogramouflage was created as a result of collaboration between Japanese artist Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton Artistic Director Marc Jacobs and costs $1580.

Louis Vuitton handbags are of course extremely well made and high quality, but they are also very expensive.

On handbag and purse forums the most widely discussed designer handbags tend to be, in the following order

1. Louis Vuitton
2. Coach
3. Chanel
4. Balenciaga
5. Hermes
6. Marc Jacobs
7. Chloé
8. Gucci
9. Rebecca Minkoff
10. Mulberry
    With Louis Vuitton actually being talked about twice as much as Coach and ten times more than Mulberry
    
11. Coach Legacy Horse and Carriage Large $658
13. 
    I'm not surprised to see Coach handbags so high up on the list - Coach leather handbags are extremely well made and last for years but are nowhere near as expensive as Louis Vuitton leather bags. As a result they tend to be seen more on the streets than Louis Vuitton bags, so they may not be so select but if it is quality and a really nice looking leather handbag then Coach is an extremely wise choice.

Another high quality designer handbag maker that is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the UK, although they now also have stores in the US is Radley - see Radley Bags Radley Handbags. Sales of Radley bags are rising all the time. Radley bags tend to be very colourful and their quality is also very high something like Coach leather handbags. So they are well worth looking out for as something in the USA as a designer handbag which is not quite so well-known as the big names such as Louis Vuitton, Coach, Chanel Gucci etc...

Radley Nightingale approx. $450

However as a result of the great success of Radley bags - there are now fakes and replica bags on the market -Radley have taken innovative steps to combat the market in replica Radley bags - see How to Spot Fake Radley Bags

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Hermes Handbags Fake Birkin Kelly

Womens Handbags - How to Spot a Fake Hermes Bag

Fake or Genuine Hermes Handbags

How to spot a fake Hermes bag or fake designer bags in general ? Designer bags are expensive and sometimes even fake or replica bags are expensive too ! But designer bags are expensive for a reason, they use high quality materials and require a lot of work to make them. So you want to make sure that the designer handbag you are buying is genuine and not a fake. For information on how to spot a fake LV bag see - How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Bag - for how to spot a fake Radley bag see - How to Spot a Fake Radley Bag

(...Hermes Birkin Bag Crocodile with Diamonds)

This post deals with how to spot fake Hermes bags.

First and foremost pay very close attention to details. If you can, go to a Hermes store and check out their bags. In addition here are some pointers that may help :

The stitching must be high quality and even (Hermes bags take time to make)

There should be "Hermès Paris, Made in France" gilt or blind stamped on the front face

There should be craftsman's marks and a letter for the year of manufacture stamped beneath the right belt in a square. The condition and history of bag should ne appropriate for year of manufacture.

(...Hermes Kelly Bag made famous by actress grace Kelly in the 1950s)

The interior leather zipper tag must be parallel to the zip, not at right angles to it.

If a buyer has lots of Hermes Birkins they will be fakes, Birkins are very rare.

Hermes uses only the finest quality leather so take a very good look at the leather, if it looks cheap then it isn't authentic.

Hermes bags are never sold with a paper hangtag.

A genuine Hermes Kelly or Birkin comes with an engraved lock and key set. The lock has "Hermes" on the bottom and the keys have a number which matches the lock number. It also has Hermes on the reverse.

Hermes does not use a metal nameplate inside the bag.

Hermes dustbags are now heavy orange cotton flannel, older bags sometimes have a tan velour dustbag with a design that is slightly different.

Older well-used Birkins will cost $4,000 - 6,000 depending on the condition of the leather, hardware and stitching.

Newer Birkins will probably cost close $7,000 - 13,000 or even more.

So happy hunting! I would recommend visiting the Hermes site, but it is awful so I really can't recommend you waste your time looking round there, so check out the competition instead ! womens handbags how to spot a fake hermes bag genuine hermes handbags

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Popular Womens Handbags Classics

Womens Handbags - Designer Handbags To Stand the Test of Time

Sales of womens handbags remain strong even in difficult economic times. Sales of clothes may suffer but sales of handbags, particularly designer handbags actually increase!

Last year Burberry reported sales of accessories up 32%. Armani saw unprecedented sales growth of over 30% and recently Louis Vuitton reported strong sales of its designer handbags.
Womens handbags also stand the test of time - according to Forbes magazine eight designer handbags that will stand the test of time and therefore represent good investments are :

The Chanel 2.5 Quilted Bag - price around $3,495

Designed by Coco Chanel herself, the 2.5 bag is available in seasonal colors or black. Brand new or handd down over generations it will complement any outfit, especially the classic little black dress.

Louis Vuitton Speedy Cube Bag - price around $2,000

An innovation of the classic best-selling Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. The latest version is a mixture of tradition and trend. A useful and gorgeous timeless designer handbag.

The Lowry Bag by Burberry - price around $2,995 This could well become a timeless classic like the Trench - and if you can afford it then you may like to exchange $23,000 for the corrugated alligator bag.

Mulberry Roxanne Bag - retail price: $695

The Roxanne by Mulberry is very popular and exists in a wide range of models including patent leather and snakeskin.


Giorgio Armani Clutch - retail Price: $8,195

Small and perfectly formed. The Armani clutch is anothe rtimeless classic.

Fendi Baguette Retail price: $3,790 The Baguette, which was first introduced in 1997, is said to have given rise to a whole new generation of bag fanatics. Models of the Baguette include versions in printed canvas and mink.

Prada Bag - retail price $2,500

Launched in Fall/Winter of 2008 it will no doubt prove to be one of Prada's best-sellers.

Ralph Lauren Ricky Bag - retail price $3,495The Ricky bag is the very epitome of American elegance and class. It is available in a variety of colors and finishes including alligator.

For information on Radley designer handbags see - How to Spot a Fake Radley Bag
Bear in mind also that the current economic climate means that there are lots of sales on at the moment - so keep an eye open for bargains ! Sometimes you can get as much as 50% off designer handbags !

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Spot a Fake Radley Bag

Ladies Leather Handbags - How to Spot a Fake Radley Bag

Radley bags are apparently the best-sellng UK designer handbags. Unfortunately their popularity has meant that they have become a target for counterfeiters. So if you are looking for genuine Radley bag then you need to look out for the following.

(.... Radley Handbag Camber Sands)

• Radley introduced a new authentication label on all Radley bags in Autumn/Winter 2008. The label takes the form of an LCD printed label that contains a form of Mirage technology. The colour of the Radley dog logo changes from light to dark when it is lifted to the light. Radley are the first designer handbag brand to introduce this type of advanced security.

• (...Radley Handbag Marsden)


• All Radley handbags also have an aluminium Radley dog logo inside, embossed with the name ‘RADLEY’. The word 'Radley' should also be embossed onto the leather square underneath.
• The Scottie dog tag on a genuine Radley bag is attached so that you can easily remove it. On fake Radley handbags the tag is often difficult or impossible to remove.
• Radley bags and purses are sold with a glossy, cardboard label on the outside, with no dog on it.
• Radley handbags only have the word 'Radley' embossed on the dog hanging on the outside of the bag on the tag.
• Radley handbags also usually are sold with a kit of leather care products.
• Radley bags come in a dustbag with drawstring.

See also - How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton and How to Spot a Fake Hermes Bag
ladies leather handbags how to spot a fake radley bag genuine radley handbags

Marc Jacobs Handbag Sale

Ladies Leather Handbags - Marc Jacobs Handbag Sale

If you are looking for a bargain Marc Jacobs designer handbag but are not interested in buying a fake handbag - for information on fake designer bags see - Fake Louis Vuitton Designer Handbags then you may be interested in the sale of Marc Jacobs designer handbags currently under way at eluxury.com

Eluxury are recogized supplies of genuine designer handbags by big name handbag manufacturers such as Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs

There are great Marc Jacobs handbag bargains to be had - see list below

Carter Jr Rose $699 instead of $1195
Carter Jr Gray $699 instead of $1195
Sethi Stripes Suivi Bag $629 instead of $1250
Daydream Diamond Bag $649 instead of $1295
Mercer East/West Tote $909 instead of $1295
Patchwork Amanda $999 instead of $1699
Rolls-Royce fold over clutch $749 instead of $1495

Suede Flower Handbag $749 instead of $1495
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Radley Bags and Handbags

Womens Handbags - Radley Bags and Handbags

Radley Handbags

The Radley name and its Scottie dog logo may not be well as known as the more famous designer handbag manufacturers such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Coach etc... but their popularity has grown consistently amongst discerning customers since their launch in 1998 and Radley bags are now the biggest selling British handbag brand.

(..... Radley Handbag Durdle Door - $390)

Their head office is in London but you can now buy Radley bags in selected Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor stores in the USA or you can visit their USA website at trulyradleydeeply.com

As they explain on their UK website radley.co.uk - they are devoted to "making beautiful things that women can fall in love with". Radley bags and handbags are known for their individual creativity. Radley's designers seek to ensure "original design, exceptional hand-crafting, distinctive pattern work, extraordinary colour schemes and unusual textures"

How do Radley define creativity ? As "lighting fires of inspiration and doing our job with passion and .... being stimulated by the world outside the window as well as the world inside our head."

At Radley they consider their handbags to be "works of art and ourselves as artists, because having a vision is our biggest asset."

They also state that colour is "the essence of Radley" and that they use colour to "capture humour, or display an emotion. To give off attitude or make a statement. To add character and enrich. To bring fun into our lives and onto our products."

Radley bags aim for originality and an element of surprise as they consider it is "better to fail in originality than suceed in imitation".

(.... Radley Handbag Blyth $295)

They don't cut corners but they are not extravagant their watchword being "Creativity without extravagance", as a result their handbags are high quality products at an affordable price.

Radley handbags tend to be bright with distinctive details and new shapes, using richly coloured leathers and a variety of materials. Great attention is paid to detail throughout.

Radley Bags Spring collection this year is a collection of soft textured leather bags and creative hand-crafted detail with an emphasis on light Summer shades of ivory, yellow and pale pink, with "vibrant apple green highlights".

The collection has proved itself a great hit with the fashion press and has already been featured in Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Elle Accessories.

(.... Radley Handbag Pocket Bag $175)

The bags featured include the gorgeous Nightingale tote that is luxuriously soft and slouchy, the curvaceous Belgrave tote and the best-selling Grosvenor satchel, which is back this season in a striking pillar-box red and light tan.

The popularity of the Radley brand means however that there are fakes on the market. So how can you spot a fake Radley bag ? First, if the Scottie dog logo has the Radley name on it then the bag is a fake. Radley do not put their name on the dog, except on the cardboard tag hanging outside the bag.

Another indicator is that Radley includes a leather care package with every Radley Bag sold.

Prices for Radley bags in the US range from $145 up to $390

For information on fake Louis Vuitton bags see - How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton
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What are Vintage Handbags?

Ladies Leather Handbags - Vintage Handbags

What is a Vintage Handbag?

The present day handbag first saw light of day in the nineteenth century when women found it fashionable to own a choice of bags to match their dresses - for the story of the first Louis Vuitton bags see - Louis Vuitton bags.

In the early 20th century handbags became more complicated and by the 1920s the majority of women were carying purses with them but not many had one for each dress. In the 1950s and 60s designers like Dior, Vuitton, Chanel and Coach made handbags and purses an essential fashion item.

Vintage handbags therefore refer to any time before the 1980s and are often collected in the same way as people collect jewelry or books.

Other people however buy vintage handbags to use them. Designer handbags are exceptionally well made and bags like Patricia's Legacy have become timeless classics
For some people, to be a true vintage bag a handbag has to be designer handbag.

One of the most famous vintage handbags is the Hermes Kelly Bag.

The Kelly bag had been manufactured since 1935 under the name "Sac à dépêches" but it became famous in 1956 when Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly used her Hermes bag to hide her pregnant stomach from the paparazzi.

Photographs were circulated throughout the world and made it to the cover of Life magazine.

Grace Kelly was such an influential figure at the time that the handbag became known as the “Kelly” bag.

According to the Miller’s Handbags Collector’s Guide a vintage Hermes Kelly bag can fetch anything from $3,000 - $6,000.

There are 5 different sizes of Kelly bags, which can be made from alligator, crocodile, plain leather or ostrich-skin. Miller’s guide states that they can be identified by their trademark metal-tipped clasp, and tiny padlock. The clasp's concealed key is often covered in leather and hangs from the handle.

Each individual Kelly bag is manufactured by a single craftsman and required 18 hours work.

The Hermès Kelly bag is but one of a long line of collectable vintage handbags.
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Fake Louis Vuitton Designer Handbags

Ladies Leather Handbags - How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Bag

How to Spot a Replica Handbag?

A question I am often asked by people looking for ladies leather handbags is how can I spot a fake handbag ? Or how can I spot a replica handbag ? Or how can I tell if my handbag is genuine or a fake ? Or for specific brands how can I spot a replica or fake Louis Vuitton or even Louis Viton or a fake Marc Jacobs ?

This is understandable as genuine designer handbags cost a lot of money so people are naturally worried.

Firstly you need to apply some good old common sense. If it is too cheap it is a fake. It's as simple as that.

(..... Louis Vuitton Suhali Le Fabuleux $4360 )

Secondly some designers have had enough of combating fake bags or replica purses, so they now only sell their handbags in their own stores or online at their own Internet site. This is the case with Louis Vuitton for example.

Online the only place you can be absolutely sure of getting a genuine Louis Vuitton handbag is at the Louis Vuitton website - eluxury.

There are some traders on the famous online auction site whose name I shall not mention, who claim to sell genuine Louis Vuitton bags and it is possible that some of them are indeed selling genuine bags and purses, but how can you be absolutely sure?

Thirdly, when trying to decide if the bag you are about to buy is a genuine designer handbag or a replica then, in addition to the price, you need to pay careful attention to the quality.

Genuine designer handbags are expensive for a reason, they are made with great attention to detail.

First, beware of any bag wrapped in plastic or bubble wrap, this is not the material of choice for wrapping expensive designer bags and purses. Second, designer handbags are works of art, there should be no wrinkles, creases, poor quality stitching, asymmetrical logos etc... everything needs to be perfect. Imperfect designer handbags are not tolerated.

For Louis Vuitton bags if there is a cheap looking circular tag made of plastic then steer clear, and most genuine dust bags only have the Louis Vuitton or LV logo. They do not have cheap tan, plastic or suede interiors and the patterns on Louis Vuitton bags are always lined up correctly.

The Louis Vuitton website explains that LV products are only available at Louis Vuitton stores - or from their offical website. Louis Vuitton leather handbags and other leather goods such as purses etc... are made in France, the USA or Spain, not the Far East, by experienced craftsmen who pay extreme attention to detail and use only the finest materials. That is why they are so expensive - but they also last a long time.

(......... Louis Vuitton Mahina XXL $ 4210)

Also if somebody has a large stock of Louis Vuitton handbags then they are probably fakes, Louis Vuitton do not make vast amounts of their bags and certainly do not allow uncertified traders to have large stocks of them.

I hope this information has been of help

You can of course always buy something that looks like a genuine designer handbag but isn't if that is what you want, just don't pay too much money for it!

For further information see - How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Handbag

For tips on How to Spot a Fake Radley Bag see - Radley Bags and Handbags
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