I'm looking for ideas for places to shop for handbags - under $200 range or so - besides Canal Street. Where are your favorite places?

For under/around $200, I would look at Furla and Cole Haan.

If you're willing to bump up your budget a bit, Rafe (pronounced raffie) is one of my favorite purse stores. They are located at Bleecker and Bowery.

The Bloomingdale's in Soho at B'way b/t Spring and Broome has a nice selection of purses for most price ranges.

Longchamp just opened a flagship store in SoHo as well (Spring and Greene).

There is also a cute consignment store called Chelsea Girl at Prince and Thompson that carries a lot of vintage designer bags (LV & Gucci). I've never bought anything, but I've admired the window displays many times

lizzie has given you great advice. You could also try the discount stores like Century 21, Daffy's, Loehmann's. I've also gotten some nice bags at Unisa on Madison b/w 62-63 st.
unisa.com

Filene's Basement has a bunch of stuff you don;t want - but some moderate things at fairly good discounts. (I saw a couple of things in the $300 range for about $179 or so.)

I second Filene's Basement.

With out a doubt Centry 21. There are two locations one is at the WTC stop the other is in Brooklyn.

Thanks for the replys. I've never been to Century 21, probably because I'm not in to designer clothes - but I do have a serious pocketbook buying problem so maybe I should check it out. I've been on a pattern of buying at least one new bag on each of my European trips (twice a year) but decided I can't wait till March for my next "fix" so I'll check out your suggestions.

For clarification, Century 21 carries much, much more than designer clothes. The designer section is just one part of the store, which is massive. I go there for everything from gym socks to wine glasses. They have a huge selection of mid-priced women's and junior's sportswear/causal clothing. As an example, I'm wearing a BCBG velvet blazer that I purchased there last fall that was marked down 60%. If you've never been, I would definitely make a trip! I would recommend the one by the WTC if you are staying in Manhattan.

Century 21 is one of my favorites for handbags (I have little patience for clothes shopping there). Plenty of good "name" stuff there for $200 and under (Perlina, sometimes the less expensive Michael Kors line, etc). Also, check http://www.topbutton.com and the websites of New York Magazine and Time Out New York to see if there are any sample sales going on while you're here. I only go to ones that are held by the manufacturers in their own showrooms so you know the merchandise is authentic.

If you go to Century 21, go first thing in the morning. They open early on weekday morning and it is much less crowded then and not near as insane. Anytime after 10:30 or 11 or so and I can't handle it.

there are also two cute purse stores in the West Village, verve and something else right near it on Bleecker near West 10th. They may not have designer/ brand name purses, but very unique unusal purses. If you are in that area, definitely check them out.

I definitly want to check out Century 21. I'll be going on Saturday and since it's suppossed to be raining, I want to get as close as possible by subway, but the store's website says the R train is under contstruction in that area. True? So which subway would you take. I'll be coming from Jackson Heights. Thanks

williamscb13 - Verve looks interesting, I'll try to stop there too.

One more question - if you had a choice of going to Century 21 on Friday evening or Saturday morning (don't open till 10 on Saturdays) which would you pick? which do you think would be less crowded? Thanks

Friday evening, but it'll still be packed, so be mentally prepared for chaos and carnage.

I popped in this evening after work around 6:30 to look for a last minute dress to wear to a wedding this weekend. It was crowded, but I swear to you, it wasn't that bad. It's hardly a serene experience, but it's not like a communist grocery store! The wait for a dressing room was about 5 minutes. Just prepare yourself for the worst, and I promise it won't be that bad!

Chaos and carnage and a communist grocery store - Can't wait.

have you tried www.hopstop.com for subway directions to century21, i find they are mostly reliable but sometimes if you know the subway system, you can figur it out better than the website.

Century 21 is across from the World Trade Center site if that helps with directions. i think the 1 is only 1 block away as well.

Hi. Well thanks for everyone's help. I thought I'd report back in case someone else finds this thread when looking for handbag shopping ideas.

So - well, I've never been to a communist grocery store, and carnage is a bit strong, but chaos is an apt description. Really it wasn't that bad - at least not on a Friday night from about 6-8pm. The handbag selection is pretty impressive, not the handbag nirvana that I am still in search of, but a decent selection with prices from about $3 to $300. The rest of the store struck me as just a much larger version of Tj Maxx or Marshalls - but I found a few things.

Oh, the City Hall subway stops are only about a five minute walk and lots of lines go through there, Fulton St is even closer.

If I find any other places I'll let you all know.