Eons ago, when my purse fixation started, I was a naive 16 year old in high school. While I never was (nor did I envy) the cool kids in school, I was decidedly sure of myself and my style, having haphazardly grafted the looks from W Magazine and the school cafeteria together to fit my measly budget. You can imagine the discord! Still, to my uninitiated eye, the cheap Levi’s and Timberlands looked absolutely fantastic with the borrowed Chanel Classic Flaps from my aunt’s closet. It wasn’t until I moved away for college (and lost privilege to said aunt’s closet) that I really started to appreciate the price tag of the handbags that had come so easily to me before through my aunt’s Loan program. It was because of my champagne-taste-on-a-beer-budget predicament that led me to develop the shopping habits I now have for purses. While I will spend hundreds (and yes, even into the thousand!) on shoes, I have, with few exceptions, never paid retail for a handbag.

Of course, living in New York affords me more off-price shopping opportunities than some of my other-citied counterparts. Even before the advent of online shopping, I was a maven at bargain hunting for purses. There’s nothing like the thrill of hunting, stalking and finally landing an elusive bag for a fraction of the retail price. And so, I’m excited to bring you this weekly column on the PursePage — Luxe For Less. Here, I’ll share with you not only shopping tips, but also bring you a find or two online each week. Of course, these finds will probably reflect my taste and definition of ‘bargain’ but I will strive to cover a broad range of styles and budgets. It goes without saying that if you’re looking for something in particular, drop me a line and I’ll see if I can help you find something in my next weekly post for Luxe For Less.

The nitty-gritty before we get into the fun stuff this week: Should I post about a designer item in this space, it is with the understanding that while I do have some authentication knowledge, it should not be taken to mean that I, or PursePage, guarantee the item’s authenticity. While I will not post an item that does not pass muster on my part, the verification of each item’s authenticity is up to the potential buyer. In addition, neither I, nor PursePage, are affiliated with any vendor or seller of the items listed in this column.

Let the fun begin!

This Hayden-Harnett Havana Hobo in Eggplant

I don’t need to introduce you to Hayden-Harnett: they’ve been on the scene for a while, and for good reason. They routinely churn out practical but modern, clean-lined accessories in the mid-luxury price range. In my opinion, this Havana Hobo is one of their best pieces. And what a fabulous color it is in Eggplant! It’s cheery enough for summer but will work great with fall’s hues as well. The shape and size are exceptionally practical without forsaking style. It was $428, but you can pick it up now for just $256.80! What a steal! (Psst! Other Hayden-Harnett pieces are on sale too, so have a look before you check out!)

This Marc Jacobs Mayfair in Teal

I would be remiss if I didn’t offer up this beautiful piece by Marc Jacobs. If you’re a Marc Jacobs fan, you’ve probably admired this Mayfair – it is quintessential Marc: refined but edgy. It is a small-medium bag, made of the most sumptuous calfskin, paired with the signature quilted leather, gold pushlock and chain. The Mayfair was offered in black (bland!), gray (gorgeous!) and this teal — arguably the most notable and rich of the three. While it looks unassuming in pictures, trust me — I’ve been known to stop and gawk at it in real life. It is simply charming on. The retail is a cool $895 but this eBayer is offering it at $524.99 Buy It Now. While it’s not the lowest price I’ve ever seen for this style, it is pretty close on a bag that is sold out everywhere at less than retail. And yes, the Mayfair pictured is perfectly authentic Marc Jacobs.

If you have something specific you’re looking for and would like my help, drop me a line. Remember to check back next Tuesday afternoon for more Luxe For Less finds! Happy shopping!

Discuss this post in our Sales events & Luxe for Less forum!