Recently I became rather obsessed with the Phantom bag by Céline. I loved the unique trapez shape and simplicty of the design. That being said…the bag is $4,000+ dollars depending upon the finish. I cannot tell you how many times I was totally tempted to slap my credit card down and call it a day but something held me back. Perhaps it was the fact that I’d recently used this credit card interest calculator and, with some quick math skills, realized that what I was thinking about doing could end up costing me dearly – expensive taste or what? It also made me realize that I should really look into switching credit cards to one where I won’t be left quite so out of pocket at the end of the month. What did I love about this bag so much, was it the shape or was it the status?…lets be real. In the fashion world, people judge others based on their appearance and accessories so there is an innate desire to rock only the creme de la creme in order to move up the ladder. What is it about the IT BAG? Does that automatically make you the IT GIRL or is it just brilliant marketing by the fashion industry? When you can print photo on bag for a fraction of the price it feels like madness to spend $4000 on a bag like this.

Every season designers for fashion houses around the globe attempt to make handbags that are so unique, and desired that they will cement themselves among the classics. From the Hermes Birkin to the Balenciaga City bag, women flock to their local boutiques, auto dial design houses, and e-mail everyone but their mother in order to secure their name on wait lists longer than our nations voter registry. Others looking to acquire a bag of this status for themselves, but perhaps for less of a premium, may opt to acquire a replica balenciaga bag instead which remains of high build quality but without the label; the likeness will be uncanny to those looking at the two variants side by side which makes one wonder why you would pay an arm and a leg for the branded bag. If you get your hands on the bag du jour be prepared for complete strangers who walk up to you and compliment your style like you are famous. This fame is fleeting though, while some handbags have proven to have mah-jor staying power, most shining stars out-grow their 15 minutes and are considered sooo last season moments after they arrive. If you are in the market to spend some cash on a handbag I have outlined a few tips on how to buy a bag (not a brand) that is right for you, no matter the season!

Sticker Shock: First things first, be realistic about your pricing. What do you want…and more importantly what can you afford?! There is no need to break the bank on designer detailing if you have nothing left to put in your handbag, and even worse cannot afford to go anywhere to show your new purchase off! Do some homework and price out what brands and handbags you like, next assess your clothing budget and see what it realistically allows.

Knock-Off No-No: Harper’s Bazzar said it best. Fakes are NEVER in fashion. If your taste tends towards Fendi but your budget calls for frugal don’t fret. Urban Outfitters for example, sell some stunning handbags with a soft buttery feel in more colors than a Crayola box. Purchase the most durable handbag you are drawn towards in a neutral color and start saving! When I was in college I never thought I could afford a designer price-tag but was surprised to find that if you added up all the less expensive designs I had bought (Coach, Michael by Michael Kors, Kate Spade to name a few) I discovered that if you added up their more moderate prices I could have purchased the Marc Jacobs bag I really wanted…twice!

Monogram Madness: Another key factor to consider is what you wear every day. It is good to develop a well-rounded handbag collection in which to trade in and out of depending on season. When starting out, it is smart to buy a handbag that can go with virtually everything you wear. Monogram is a great way to go as it adds subtle character, but also speaks for itself. No one does monogram better than Louis Vuitton. The lux mixture of brown and camel laid out on durable canvas looks tres-chic, and goes with everything. The brass hard-wear is usually kept to a minimum giving you little trouble when selecting jewelry. While this fashion house offers many shapes and sizes I would advise to stick to the Speedy as it can deceivingly hold more than most handbags I have tried, and its shallow shape keeps the contents within it manageable and easy to find. If your life calls for more than what the Speedy 30 has to offer, another suggestion is the Neverfull. Offered in 3 sizes and multiple patterns this handbag lives up to its name without looking like a garbage bag.

You Get What You Pay For: All handbags are not created equal. You are not just paying for a designers name, you are paying for the quality… so ask questions!!! Sales associates are trained season after season to know a handbag inside and out, literally. Is the handbag machine made or hand stitched? Is the handbag fabrication leather, or canvas (or maybe even nylon)? What is the lining made of? You will be surprised to find that what often looks like Lizard skin is actually ‘leather embossed,’ suede may actually be micro-suede and brass zippers are actually simply brass coated. Knowing how a handbag is made, can often help assess durability and explain the price.

Bells & Whistles: If you look at handbags that stand the test of multiple seasons such as the Chanel Quilted 2.55, the Louis Vuitton Speedy 30, and the Hermes Birkin Bag there is not a whole lot going on. Notice from season to season they may vary in color or fabric but the shape remains the same. These handbags are well made, and can hold a woman’s necessities. It is the lack of notice me details, and the durability that contribute to their appeal. Also, the lack of notice me hardwear keep these handbags fairly light which is important when they have yet to be filled!

Consignors Club: I had also been coveting the Balenciaga City Bag since my trip to Paris and jumped at the opportunity when My Sister’s Closet had one on consignment for $895 (instead of the usual $1895 retail price)! There are hundreds of consignment boutiques out there filled with designer deals. If there is a bag you love and know you will wear every-day until you can pass it down to your posterity but perhaps cannot afford it or it was several seasons ago, consider consignment. Many women review and edit their handbag collections once a year and unload these pieces where they will be able to get the greatest return for them. Locate these shops and see if they have client books, or wish lists. The very bag you love might just walk through the door, and at a much more affordable price!

Mirror, Mirror: Make sure and look in the mirror when buying a new handbag! You may be laughing right now but I cannot tell you how many women see a handbag on a celebrity or friend, and fall in love without considering how it will look on them, or fit in with their everyday lifestyle. Personally, I have even taken it a step further and brought the contents of my daily life along shopping in order to make sure the bag I am eyeing fits everything comfortably.

My parting words of advice would be to save your money unless you ABSOLUTELY LOVE the bag you are considering. I realized it wasn’t the Céline bag itself so much as the shape that I liked and so I ended up buying this incredible black no-name version at Nordstrom instead, I figured if I loved everything about it and still wanted the Phantom, it would be there. I am soooo happy I did because my obsession with the trapez shape quickly faded and I realized I had made the right decision (and saved a boatload of money). Hit me up on Twitter @chicdisheveled, I would love to know what your IT BAG is!