Tip of the week: How to buy a four-figure handbag

Choose wisely. “If you’re going to lay out the equivalent of a month’s rent on a purse,” you have to think of the bag as an investment. The goal isn’t to make a splash: You want a “trend-proof” bag you can “carry ad infinitum, hand down to future generations, or even resell on the off chance you get bored.” Look for a “combination of craftsmanship, cultural cachet, and great design.”

Pick durable materials. Leather or crocodile last longer than fabric or suede. The leather should be “firm and buttery”; squeeze it to make sure it doesn’t crack or change color. Linings should be lambskin or suede. While all hardware stresses the leather, metal feet generally prolong the life of a much-carried bag.

Don’t buy blind. Try the bag on: The worst mistake you can make is to buy a bag that’s too big or too small for your frame.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Source: The Wall Street Journal