| What defines a luxury handbag has changed in the | | | | Everywhere you go in Italy, you'll see women with |
| past year - from exotic bags loaded with expensive | | | | Louis Vuitton handbags or Dolce & Gabbana |
| hardware, charms, buckles and other ornaments to | | | | leather shoulder bags. If you don't want to pay top |
| more timeless and elegant handbags that make a | | | | dollar-and with the exchange rate you'll pay nearly |
| statement without making its owner look like a | | | | double than you would in the States-you can pick up a |
| show-off. | | | | knock-off sold on the streets of major cities like Rome |
| On a recent trip to Italy, I was surprised to find the | | | | and Milan. |
| boutiques filled with more subdued designer handbags. | | | | If you go this route, never pay what the vendors ask. |
| While still remarkable in quality, the bags that lined the | | | | They will drop their prices considerably if you haggle. |
| windows of Prada, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, | | | | But you don't have to go faux to get a great leather |
| Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci lacked extensive | | | | handbag. When shopping for a handbag that will last, |
| ornamentation or the daring patterns these designers | | | | you can go with a top designer label or follow the |
| are known for. Instead they offered solid leather | | | | Italians' example and base your decision on the quality |
| handbags in a variety of colors, including red and | | | | of the materials used and design aesthetics. You can |
| yellow. Styles ranged from hobo bags to structured | | | | walk into a dozen shops in Rome, Florence and Milan |
| handbags in all sizes-oversized to clutch. | | | | and find unique, handcrafted bags that will last a |
| On past trips to Italy, I've noticed that not many Italian | | | | lifetime but cost a third of the price of a premium |
| women carry clutches but I saw a few stores carrying | | | | designer handbag. |
| them on this last visit-mostly long, flat and oversized. | | | | Look for leather goods shops and boutiques that sell |
| Weaved satchel, totes and bucket bags are hot this | | | | clothes and accessories. If you do have money to |
| season-with black and brown leather purses and | | | | spend but don't want to be too flashy-you can easily |
| handbags being the choicest options. Women in Italy | | | | find a designer handbag in every color of the rainbow |
| get a lot of use of their handbags; they take them | | | | and in every size conceivable. Or, instead of spending |
| from day to evening for all types of activities, so the | | | | a lot on clothes, create multiple looks just by changing |
| bags they choose are of the highest quality. | | | | your handbag. |
| If status is important, insignia handbags are still popular. | | | | |