MAKE A CASE FOR YOUR BAG For some women, it's essentially a place to store their belongings; for others, it’s a status symbol. SO WE ASKED SHOPPERS... MAKE A CASE FOR YOUR BAG What’s a handbag worth to you? Is $100 your limit? Would you spend $1,000 on a status bag? Charm asked the shoppers at CityPlace to virtually open up about their purses -- and we didn’t have to ask twice. It seems that most of us are somewhat obsessed with handbags -- even if that obsession is just to find an affordable purse that fits our needs perfectly. The Purse Forum, an Internet community for handbag enthusiasts, tells us that the average woman owns six handbags and spent $42 on her last purse. After reviewing the data gathered from local women, you might agree that this figure wasn't based on the spending habits of South Florida women. Another statistic from the site says only 1 in 10 women is willing to spend $150 or more on a handbag. Again, local ladies went above and beyond, with three-quarters of our shoppers saying they’d be happy to exceed that amount. But the range was wide. From a West Palm woman who was proud to show us her $3 Goodwill purse to a Boynton Beach shopper who confessed to owning 300 handbags, we found everyone had a ready answer when we asked about their purses.
-- Anne Rodgers
Amy Moyer, 32, of Jupiter
Shoes and bags are worth the money because you can mix and match them and never have to spend as much on clothing. They’re classic. I like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton replica purses, and I own a Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada. This bag is just a knock-off Kooba. It was a gift but I think it cost between $200-$300. But the most I'd probably spend is $1,000.
Natalie Cacciatore, 30, of Palm Beach Gardens
I’d skip a mortgage payment to get a great bag. Just kidding. I have about 30 purses, probably 12 are designer purses. This one is a Gucci and it cost $1,500. Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags are the best in my opinion.
Helen Kupsick, 60something, of West Palm Beach
It would have to be special for me to spend that much. The one I’m carrying now cost $3 at Goodwill. I don’t want to spend $100 on a bag and use it all the time; I like variety. I find the best purses at Sun Festival Flea Market on Sample Road in Pompano Beach.
Divina Pavlovic, 47, of West Palm Beach
I’m not very particular about brands of purses. I go more for the style I like—big purses; this one is an Elizabeth Arden and costs $95. It matches my shoes. I’m a pretty practical person. I’d rather put the money into something for the house, something everyone in the home can enjoy.
Cindy Walton, 49, of Jupiter
I’ve done Louis Vuitton knockoffs before. I prefer this better. I buy bigger sizes sometimes because I need my purse to be a swimsuit bag. And I carry the same one every day. Kenneth Cole is my favorite designer of purses. I bought this one in Boston over the summer; it cost $290.
Patrizia Gadaleta, 52, of Boynton Beach
This is a purse I bought in Italy. It’s a Capaccioli and cost roughly 250 American dollars. I have about 300 purses; I even have a special cupboard for them. They’re always high-end: Valentino, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent. And I’m a boot person too; I’m probably up to 350 pairs. The most I’ve spent on a bag was $3,700 for a Judith Leiber at Saks.
Lisa MacKenzie, 39, of Wellington
I have nearly 20 purses, ranging in price from $20 to $1,000. It doesn’t have to be expensive; I’ll buy a cheaper purse if I like it. This one is Coach; it was a gift from my husband and probably cost $300 - $400. I really like Coach purses and Prada.
Maria Forastiero, 64, of Boynton Beach
I find a style I like and stick with it; this one’s from Penneys. It has to be leather; I prefer leather. $600 ‘I am a sucker for great purses.’
Mimi Howard, 65, Palm Beach Gardens
$30 ‘If it’s a really special purse, with tons of pockets that I am naturally surrounded by respect with, I might spend $30. I do not see the sense in spending my life savings on a purse. I can’t understand those ladies who go overboard for some little thing that costs more than a week’s household expenditure.’
Ruth Walerstein, 51, West Palm Beach
$20 ‘I’ve never spent more than that for a purse.’
Sheila Grennan, 72, Jupiter
$100 ‘I love Liz Clairborne purses of all sizes. I have been using one as my carry-on for air travel and business. Not only is the pocketbook huge enough, but it’s beautiful too—never bulky, only strong and classy looking.’
Carrol Ann Stankovitz, 54, Boca Raton
$500 ‘A well-made purse is like a small suitcase, much easier on the body than a backpack, yet can hold almost anything you might need away from family all day and possibly an overnight. Yet, it can also work well with a business suit and nice shoes.’
Gloria Dennen, 80, Palm Beach Gardens
$300
Nancy Whelan, 53, West Palm Beach
$200
Sheri McCandless, 49, West Palm Beach
$100
Darlene Delano, 52, Boynton Beach
$350
Pam Swenson, 50, West Palm Beach
$200
I prefer a sleek look in handbags and no hardware. That way you can wear jewelry that’s either silver or gold, and the focus isn’t on the handbag. That ensures you don’t end up with a beautiful piece of gold jewelry and a big silver zipper and buckle on your bag. Keep it neutral. I carry a large daily bag and a smaller one to fit inside it. My Saturday bag is a large leather tote or alternatively a summer feed sack to carry when I wear jeans or dresses with sandals.
Jane Baxter, 60, Delray Beach
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