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.
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Source: The Wall Street Journal