Just as an example, about how much would a bag like this one cost?

http://www.labagagerie.com/product.php?id_product=1094

"sueciv on Apr 4, 13 at 11:29am
I'd try to get the best label at a second hand, consignment shop. That may be what real "parisiennes" do."

What specific best labels at consignment stores for 200-300 euros? Please lead me in that direction as I go to consignment stores, all around Paris, but personally haven't run across handbags in the 200-300 euro range selling so-called best labels.

Happy Travels!

"sf7307 on Apr 5, 13 at 10:29am
Just as an example, about how much would a bag like this one cost?

http://www.labagagerie.com/product.php?id_product=1094"

The price is 310 euro.

http://www.amazon.fr/La-Bagagerie-Ku...184728&sr=1-16

Happy Travels!

http://www.amazon.fr/La-Bagagerie-Ku...184728&sr=1-16

sf7307: I don't know why the above link posted strangely. I'll try it again. Anyhow, the bag in your link is called, "Java", but the bag in French Amazon link is called, "Kuta", but they both look the same and the price is 310 euros.

Happy Travels!

If you find something at LaBagagerie, Sequoia or Lamarthe shops, look for the same bag at Galerie Lafayette or Printemps. They carry the same merchandise quite often and you can pick up other small items and get the VAT refund on everything. It is for all purchases from one vendor in one day. My daughter will often buy a purse, shoes and perfume and get the discount on all 3 items by getting them in one place on the same day.

OK, So much for the Amazon link. If you want to find that bag, sf7307, then type in www.amazon.fr. Then click on, Chaussures et Sacs. Then type in, La Bagagerie and the bag is about mid page on page 1.

Happy Travels!

Judy: True. Shopping in the big department stores and collecting items to get one big detaxe is good. However, the individual boutiques usually have a broader selection of bags. It depends on how much time one has. When I'm in Paris, I have 8 straight days and can take my time to shop around. I tend to go straight to my favorite handbag boutiques first and look for an item. Then, I'll go to one of the big department stores to see if they also have the same item as I might want to buy other things there or look at other handbag labels that don't have convenient boutiques.

Happy Travels!

Guenmai, my daughter does the same thing. I am not patient enough to do that!

For years I had such good luck at Catherine's shop on Castiglione near the Tuilleries. Alas, it has closed. If anyone has a suggestion of a similar shop, it would be well appreciated.

Catherine's was like a national treasure. I think I started going to Catherine's back in the 70s. But, it's been gone for quite a while. I remember on one of my trips in the early 2000s, zipping over to rue Castiglione to go to Catherine's, and it was gone.

Happy Travels!

I just looked back on my trip reports and Catherine's was still there when I bought a red leather bag in Sept. 2008. Actually, I still use that bag from time to time. I wish I could find a comparable shop.

Wasn't that the same Catherine's that was owned by the perfume store owner(s), but across the street I believe? I remember being in Paris, around 2002 or 2003, I think it was, and a friend was with me and wanted to buy perfume, so I took her to rue Castiglione as I thought that Catherine's was still there, but it wasn't. I thought that the perfume Catherine was connected to the other Catherine and thus thought they both were gone. Maybe they were separate businesses or maybe the same owner, but one might have closed before the other. I just remember that the perfume Catherine was no longer where it had been forever. It was definitely prior to 2005.

Happy Travels!

Any Henry Beguelin retailers in Paris?

Henry Beguilin is probably too expensive for the OP.

I can remember being in the New York shop years ago with my sister and she paid 1200 for a bag.

They used to sell HB at Barney's, but I don't know if they still do.

Thin

A different Catherine, but for those who crave a vintage Hermes or Chanel bag, Les Trois Marches de Catherine B is the place, and the prices are not terrible:

http://www.catherine-b.com/en/content/4-about-us

Catherine also has the first Birkin bag ever made.

I intended to go, but ran out of time. I did get to the Goyard shop, but the prices this time were not any different than at Barney's.

Guenmai----when I was last there in 2008 the perfume store had a few bags on display and was connected to the smaller bag shop. The next year it was gone. I wasn't there prior to 2005 so I don't know what it was at that time.

Crosscheck: Catherine B is a great boutique. I walk past it a lot as when I stayed at hotels, I stayed at the Hotel Clement, which is on rue Clement, a few steps from rue Guisarde.

Happy Travels!

TPAYT: OK. You know, thinking back, I think Catherine had moved some years before it closed. For decades it was on the west side of rue Castiglione, from what I remember. But, when I took my friend by there, it wasn't there, so we just left rue Castiglione. I then suggested that my friend go to Raoul and Curly up on Avenue de L'Opera which has been there forever. I used to also go there, back in either the 70s or 80s mostly, to buy perfume. But, it's been a while since I've been in there although I pass it, on the bus, all the time.

Happy Travels!

Thanks, Snoot..I should have figured...

I would like to order online some of the gorgeous purse suggestions in this thread and since it is not very current I would like some updates from Guenmai especially but everyone's input was very appreciated. I only want to buy a couple of very special purses to use frequently but that are unique. thank you