Good Materials, Workmanship and Details at a Decent Value? It’s in the Bag

Perhaps none of a woman’s accessories says as much about her as her handbag. The design, the size, the material, the stitching and--not least--the maker.

Quilted Chanel sling bag? Probably irreverent, up with the latest, and has $1,000-plus to indulge her attitudes.

Prada quilted nylon number? Probably wears black more often than not and knows that Claude is the Montana who’s more likely to design a garment with shoulder pads than wear one on the job.

Hermes reptile “Kelly” bag? Probably sporty, chic and has a stock portfolio worth a princess’s ransom under lock and key. Hermes Bugatti bag? Probably independent, thinks for herself but has no qualms about spending well into the four figures to keep her everyday essentials zipped up under that domed top.

Bottega Veneta woven leather suit bag? Her own initials may be enough, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t understand that certain understated snob appeal. Come evening, and what is on her arm? A bejeweled Judith Leiberpanda minaudiere? Not afraid to be flashy, and definitely not someone whose bauble budget is endangered.

Those of us who can’t afford, say, $2,800, for a handbag (never mind that it’ll likely last into the 22nd Century) will have to shop around. For a lot less, we can get the good materials, decent workmanship and nice details that will let us carry off the look we want. Some places to look:

THE GAP AND NINE WEST

It figures that America’s foremost purveyors of everyday duds would have a terrific smallish-but-not-too version of the dome-top bag, in black or brown leather ($68). The white contrasting stitching gives it a casual air perfect for jeans and other weekend-type looks. Similarly, the Nine West chain also offers attractive versions of the Bugatti, in black, olive or a dark-cognac-colored pebble-grain leather. They come in two sizes ($110 and $125).

Gap stores are at the Mall of Orange, (714) 998-9430; Mission Viejo Mall, (714) 582-0991; Brea Mall, (714) 529-4112; MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 541-0146; South Coast Plaza, (714) 556-6535; Westminster Mall, (714) 898-7855 and at 18541 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, (714) 847-0205.

Nine West stores are at the Brea Mall, (714) 529-0609; South Coast Plaza, (714) 540-4473; Crystal Court, (714) 540-2243; MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 547-5020 and Westminster Mall, (714) 891-5589.

I. MAGNIN AND NEIMAN MARCUS

Department stores such as these can be depended on for this sort of thing. Season after season, you’ll see private-label purses whose designs are influenced by the top French and Italian accessories designers.

Both I. Magnin and Neiman Marcus are offering credible versions of Chanels and Bottega Venetas.

At I. Magnin, it might be the medium-sized red quilted suit bag with a smooth leather flap ($129), the brown squarish woven leather suit bag ($125), or a large white-with-gold woven leather envelope clutch ($145).

At Neiman Marcus, it could be one of the quilted Jay Herbert suit bags in any of a variety of sizes, in red, taupe, navy blue or black (prices start around $200). Or perhaps it would be a Neiman Marcus private label quilted drawstring bag in black leather with chain straps and tassels ($195). Among the woven styles: a black leather shoulder bag with a flap of woven suede strips in red, purple and black ($200).

Neiman Marcus also has some very nice private-label Kelly bags (and also the larger tote-ish version with the scalloped flap) in black or brown reptile-embossed leather ($255 for the smaller, $265 for the larger). I. Magnin has a grouping of the Prada-derived styles in black fabric, ranging from suit bags ($75) to oversized totes ($105).

Both stores at Newport Center Fashion Island, 62 Fashion Island, Newport Beach. I. Magnin: (714) 759-1211; Neiman Marcus: (714) 759-1900.

JAKEEZ’

It was in the window, undoubtedly in the hope that it would become the apple of someone’s eye--a red pave crystal minaudiere version of the fruit that would make even a Diet Center dropout drool.

Fashion and accessories designer Kathrine (“I couldn’t afford Judith Leiber, so I started making my own”) Baumann has begun wholesaling her line of pave crystal minaudieres in whimsical designs such as fruits, hearts, stars and stripes and decal-decorated suitcase.

A K. Baumann jeweled bag sells at $900 to $2,100, which is by no means pocket money, but her highest price is close to where Leiber’s start for a jeweled bag. For your investment, you get, according to Baumann, Austrian crystals set into the casing with a jewelers compound that contains a neon coloring agent, making for a strong bond and a bright shine.

At Newport Center Fashion Island, (714) 720-0293. Also available at Linda Bentley at Fashion Island, (714) 720-9494.

PRIVILEGE

Designs along the lines of Hermes, Chanel and Prada are all represented here. Among the best are reptile-embossed leather Kellys in a medium size in caramel or black ($135) and in a tote size in navy or black ($215). The Prada look is interpreted in smaller and medium-size suit bags in a quilted silk blend fabric, with the requisite chain handles and zip tops ($98 and $118).

At South Coast Plaza, (714) 432-7773.