Delvaux Tempète Is The Hermès Bag Alternative

Regardless of what critics say about how Hermès does business or what it charges for its Birkins and Kellys, everybody agrees the quality especially the craftsmanship of Hermès handbags is impeccable. You cannot buy a better-made bag, and the company has no shortage of luxury customers. Despite its cost, a Birken is the world's #1 best-selling luxury bag.

Repeatedly I've disclosed that I'm not a bag maven and would never spend more on a handbag than what I pay at Coach. I love my capsule of Coach bags. They fill my every need for status😛, style, and usefulness around town, but it doesn't mean I don't admire Hermès or other exclusive handbags. Is there anyone who doesn't love touching and examining leather goods, especially from the top-of-the-heap, stellar brands? New York City is a fun place to browse! You get to know fashion and labels whether you buy them or not.

Delvaux Tempèux is a handbag for consumers who want the peerless quality of Hermès without playing the games or paying the price of Hermès. Nowhere near cheap -- at $5,900 -- but far less than a Birken or Kelly and customers don't have to wait years to buy it, nor cultivate a relationship with a sales associate by making prior purchases just to get offered a Birkin handbag that is sometimes not in your color of choice. In fact, Hermès' way of doing business has given rise to a healthy resale market, where Birkens often cost much more than what owners paid for them new.

Founded in 1829 by luggage maker Charles Delvaux, Delvaux is a Belgian fine leather goods company. 

Bar none, the Delvaux Tempèux is a gorgeous handbag made of full-grain calf leather and lining. With a sleek, functional design and gold metal hardware, it has a closure I personally like over Birken's and Kelly's more complicated closures. Unlike a Birken, this bag comes with a crossbody strap.

If you pine for a Hermès handbag without the wait or added expense, the Delvaux Tempèux is the perfect bag for you! Just like the Hermès Birken and Kelly, the leather and craftsmanship of the Delvaux Tempèux is flawless. You can get it in the standard sizes and the usual variety of colors and leathers just like Hermès handbags. Industry people like to call it an "if you know you know" bag. You can call it checking all the boxes without nonsense for a lot less moola.

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Bag Alternatives To Hermes, Chanel And Dior Part II

The lovely Lady Dior

When I wrote a blog on bags to buy that give you a Hermès or Chanel vibe for less, I didn't expect to write a part II ... yet, if you read the post, here we are. Let me toss the Lady Dior into the mix. 

The following leather bags are not replicas (illegal) nor dupes (inspired and legal). Nobody will mistake them for Hermès, Chanel or Dior ... but perhaps you're not a person who needs to fool anyone. Perhaps you don't want to pay a crazy amount of money to own a French label. You're a fashionista and bag lover, yes! Yet one who seeks quality and value with style. Keep your money in the bank, sister! Alternative bags for less you'll love include:

1) Coach Zoe Carryall (rather than a Lady Dior) - As much as I love the Lady Dior in either black with gold hardware or black with black hardware, at $4,900 for a medium, it doesn't love me back! Instead, I own a Coach Zoe Carryall. And I love it too! In lieu of lambskin with charms, the Coach Zoe Carryall has supple pebbled leather with a gold lock and key that really work. The pebbled leather is scratch-resistant and ultra durable. You don't have to baby it, a trait I like in a bag, not wishing to spend on a bag I can't use. Plus, IMO, it's much more versatile. Diana, the Princess of Wales, was one of only a few people who could take her Lady Dior to work. Frankly, Coach is my brand of choice, but for my readers who pine for the Hermès and Chanel vibes, please continue.

2) Saint Laurent Manhattan (instead of a Hermès Kelly) - Sturdy calf leather for much less moola than a Kelly and yet a customer still has a top-notch designer handbag, luxury craftsmanship included with a Kelly vibe.

3) Tuscany Leather Firenze (in lieu of a Hermès Birkin). Hammered Italian leather with pockets and zippers in several colors and gold hardware. Comes with a dust bag, as well as, almost enough savings left over to buy a car. 

4) Tory Burch has a variety of stylish quilted leather bags (which are well-made yet 3 - 4 - 5 times less than Chanel quilted bags: 4-a) the Fleming Convertible Shoulder bag and 4-b) the Fleming Quilted Leather tote are 2 of several Tory Burch styles to have a Chanel vibe. Kate Spade has a few French-vibe bags in both leather and vegan leather in her line also that are easy to google, or spot at T.J. Maxx.

Kate Spade

What are Dior, Hermès, or Chanel bags worth to you? We all want to get a lot for our money. Perhaps one of the above-featured chic leather bags {along with the cash left in your piggy bank} is fine enough. You decide~

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Playtime At Bergdorf Goodman's Chanel Boutique

On Saturday I stopped into luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman to look at Chanel bags. The sales associate was psychic as he put the two Chanel bags I most covet on the counter under my nose. There is no chance of me ever forking over a cool $9,000 for them. Nonetheless, I can't deny they are the very Chanel bags I'd hope to get from my Fairy Godmother after her startling appearance before my eyes.

Photo: Via YouTube

The first bag is actually the cheapest because it is the smallest: The Chanel Trendy CC Wallet On Chain - I prefer it in caviar leather, since if I paid $2,500 for a wallet on a chain, the leather better hold up! The wallet is more like a small handbag. It has 6 useful slots for credit and identity cards; an inside compartment with a zipper; and enough room to hold a smart phone, money, keys, lipstick, eye glasses, comb, ink pen, tissues and tickets, i.e. it has more space than a standard wallet. Best of all, it has what the small and medium sized Chanel Double Flap bags lack, a long crossbody strap. Unlike previous Chanel WOCs, which have a magnetic button closure, the later Chanel Trendy CC WOC has an improved twist and turn closure. The black leather with the gold hardware and top "CHANEL" gold plate is gorgeous. Fairy Godmother, I love, this bag!

Right next to it sat the iconic Chanel Double Flap Jumbo bag in caviar leather. The Jumbo is the only flap bag size with a long strap to wear crossbody. Recently the world's #1 selling luxury bag increased in price to $6,200, a sum I can't justify spending on a handbag, as much as I love it. 

Moreover, I do like my Double Flap inspired Chanel bag (a dupe not a replica), which I got in lambskin leather for much less. Consider: I can buy 52 of my inspired bag with greenbacks left over to spend on a nice dinner and subway fare home. Unfortunately like with all leather goods, expect wear and tear if you use your Chanel bag(s); and what a waste of money if you don't. So there lies the paradox of owing overpriced luxury handbags.

But aren't Chanel bags exquisite? Um, I'd be quite happy with the small one, Fairy Godmother.


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Bagging A Gepherrini

I'm not a true handbag maven. No exaggeration: I use a bag until the strap wears out, and it literally drops off my shoulder in the middle of the street before buying a new one. Happens to everyone, right? The few times, I'm forced to change purses, I always leave necessities out, like an ink pen, a hair comb, or a lipstick. So I only switch bags if I absolutely must ... to carry more stuff, or match an evening gown. 

Many women enjoy changing bags along with their shoes or outfits. Well, I have the perfect shop for a purse fashionista: Foravi -- with two locations: at 1067 Madison Avenue (on the Upper East Side), or 542 Broadway (in Soho). There you will find a chic collection of Gepherrini handbags.



Gepherrini has been making handsome, Italian, leather bags since 1989. The merchant focuses on quality, functionality and unique style. Even I love perusing through their collection of eye-catching handbags. Super cute. Sleek. Ultra practical and made well.

If you can't come to New York City, you can look online. The retailer also has a mobile app to download. When you need a new bag, it's a stylish brand to consider.

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Bags For Every Budget

A great bag is timeless.  Ideally, it's both stylish and functional.  The right bag stays with you, holds your essentials and pulls together an outfit.  To be honest, I own fewer purses than any woman I know.  I admire women who match all their outfits with a slew of fabulous fashion statement bags, but my tendency is to use a favorite bag for just about everything until it falls apart.  I hate changing bags because I always leave something out that I need.  So when I do buy a new one, I have a tall order to fill.  My bag needs to be well made, durable, versatile, flattering and classic.  I look for the perfect size with lots of pockets to hold things.  I also like a sleek, slender and attractive shape.

Purses can be expensive.  So whether you're an under buyer like me -- looking for that one great, multi-purpose bag, or need some new arm candy for a swanky event you're attending, check out these cool sites.  You'll find a myriad of designers, a wide selection of styles and some amazing deals for under $100:

1) Nicole Lee – For fun unique bags with funky details.  Very fashion forward.  Click on “sample sale” for unbelievable reductions.

2) HSN – Choices galore on this site.  Look at the “sale” and “clearance” sections.

3) My Big Buddha – All vegan bags. A tremendous variety of styles, sizes and colors.  Reasonably priced.

4) Overstock.com – A large inventory of designer and quality merchandize at warehouse prices.  Terrific customer care too.  Low $2.99 shipping per order.

5) Zappos.com – They're not just for shoes anymore.  Renown for top customer service.  Free shipping both ways.

Browse and pick your bag at a price you want to spend.  Enjoy!

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