May 29, 2021

How To Buy Your Next Designer Bag

A woman’s handbag holds her world. Its size, practicality, and brand will tell you more about her than reading precious pages from her journal. Is she more bohemian like a Chloé woman with a suede leather bag in tan by her side? Or does she believe in placing her bets behind cult labels like Wandler that are finding their footing on the fashion map?

The experience of buying a new luxury handbag is nothing short of exhilarating. You’ve finally decided to splurge on a brand-new baby, and if there is something we know about bags, it’s that finding the right one is as good as finding the perfect life partner. A well-chosen match can last you a lifetime and even turn into an heirloom that you pass onto a loved one when you’re old and grey.

While luxury bags might not strike you as the most obvious way to diversify your investments, it is a category with great investment potential that outperforms art, classic cars and even rare whiskies as per Art Market Research. A thoughtful and timely purchase can have astronomical returns in due course.

Whether you’re a traditionalist searching for your next investment piece or a trend hopper looking to snag the latest it-bag, here’s our go-to guide with five things you need to keep in mind while choosing your next designer bag:

Size

Dries Van Noten, Chloé, Designer, Bags, Le Mill India, Branded Bags, Brands, International, Labels, Luxury Bags

Orange Pillow Bag by Dries Van Noten, Large Hobo Bag by Chloé

Are you someone who likes to lug their whole world around in their bag, or are you a minimalist right down to the T? Choose a bag according to the contents of your bag. Closet space in apartments is no joke. The bigger the bag, the more storage you’ll need, so be mindful. Our bets are on a classic Hobo shape by Chloé that is famous for its sizable shape, and a bright orange Vitamin-C dosed small bag by Dries Van Noten that is both playful and puffy enough for your bare necessities.

Versatility

Designer, Bags, Le Mill India, Branded Bags, Brands, International, Labels, Luxury Bags, Balenciaga, Wandler

Green Hourglass Bag by Balenciaga, Ava Tote by Wandler

Once you’ve narrowed down your options according to size - it’s time to think about the aesthetic you’re going for. While a neutral shade is definitely a safer bet, a vibrant hue will add a pop of colour and bring alive even the most normcore outfit. A classic that is sure to stand the test of time, or the trendiest bag of the moment? Flip a coin. Two Balenciaga babies below, one for each mood, make the case in point.

Practicality

Designer, Bags, Le Mill India, Branded Bags, Brands, International, Labels, Luxury Bags, Jacquemus, Chloé

Carrée Belt Bag by Jacquemus, Darryl Tote Bag by Chloé

Determine the purpose you need this bag to fulfil. Are you looking for an all-purpose tote that will take you from work to happy hour, or a hands-free crossbody or shoulder bag that will hold only your essentials while you’re on the go? Pick the Chloé Darryl for when your laptop needs to fit into your after-work existence, or a mini for credit card, lipstick, mask and sanitiser, for a night out on the town.

Craftsmanship

Designer, Bags, Le Mill India, Branded Bags, Brands, International, Labels, Luxury Bags, Saint Laurent, YSL

Cassandra Monogram Bag by Saint Laurent, Kate Bag by Saint Laurent

For luxury handbags, the single most important factor that determines the value of a piece is the craftsmanship - from the number of hours invested into putting together the creation, to the materials used in its making. Would you prefer a smooth, supple finish or a textured look that is easier to maintain? What about hardware? And finally, that all-important croc-embossed look every important woman in the world has owned. Think Jackie Kennedy… Michelle Obama… Meghan Markle.

Price

Last, but definitely not the least - how much dough are you willing to let go? Luckily, at Le Mill, there’s a bag for every budget. From sophisticated card wallets and WOCs to bucket bags and totes - there’s enough options for every purse size. Scour other websites for prices as competitive as ours, we can guarantee we're the lowest you'll find.

Steals under Rs. 50,000