Handbags

[KingstonsMom]

I used to be a die-hard Dooney fan, but my Brahmin bags have slowly overpowered them. 

Classic, not trendy, much lighter weight than most DB leathers and you don't have to 'baby' them nor worry about spotting from rain or spills.

Nobody does 'alligator' print like Brahmin, IMO.

[misschristy]

My Macy's has gorgeous Brahmin bags.   There are textures I never dreamed existed in handbags.

I just bought my first one on clearance - $146.00.  It's calf hair on one side and patent leather croco on the other.  It will not be an every day bag - it will be for special occasions and a little black dress.  The bags are registered with Brahmin and they are constantly changing their inventory.  They don't repeat a lot.  I also love that they are light and roomy enough for my stuff.

I understand liking trendy - which I do too on occasion.  I just bought the Aimee K. bag upcoming TSV in gun metal.  I don't want just trendy bags though. 

I don't own tons of bags like some handbag lovers.  I can't justify it for myself. 

I'm also disgusted with bright colors because although I love them, the jean manufacturers are now using food coloring type dyes on dark jeans which constantly transfer to my purses. (no matter how many times you wash them).   I've managed to get the dye out of my mint green orYANY bag, but now I have another darling sand colored bag that I need to work on.  I am thinking there will be less dark colored jeans in my future.   I've been told that the government has mandated the dye change.  I know some women blame the handbag manufacturers, but it has nothing to do with them.   But there are some leather bags that have surface treatment that doesn't absorb the dye.  Like Brahmin and I'm pretty sure Dooney. 

Dooney's don't float my boat that much.   They are heavy and too small.  They all seem too similar to me.

[cotto22]

I love my Brahmin's, and I am NOT a suit wearer. I like smaller bags, and Brahmin makes them as well as gorgeous bags for women who like larger ones as well. I have several crossbodies in classic colors, turquoise and a trendy dove gray color that has had people grab it and ask where I bought it. 

With the amount of air time that Dooney gets on QVC, I have actually tried to "want" one, but they are just too imposing for me. I am not a big person, and for the most part, Dooney's are large "here I am" bags. I find a lot of them very attractive, but have not been able to push the trigger on buying any. I don't have that problem with Brahmin's. The quality is there, and the styling is classic.

[Mollyqr]

Well, I will chime in here... I am a handbag freak... constantly looking for the best handbag in the world.   I have Dooney's and G.I.L.I.'s from QVC and several big name brands of others.... 

I bought my first Brahmin about three months ago... and it is the best handbag I have ever had. I didn't think I would like... fully intended to take it back... and I LOVE it... 

Its the mini Asher tote in the pecan melborne.    I never thought I would like a bag shaped like that ... didn't think it was big enough, etc... but it is the easiest bag to carry I have.  It's perfect... easy to get into and see everything inside... it has perfect organization for me... IT HAS THE PERFECT CELL PHONE POCKET ON THE OUTSIDE...   yes, caps for that... it's that important to me.  

I am looking at a larger Brahman now... No other bags interest me at all.   I have tried to switch out and carry other bags... but I always switch back to the Brahmin after a few days.  

I get more compliments on this bag than any I have had. 

Can you tell I am sold?   I love the fall colors they are showing now too. 

[foo foo shi shi]

Just thought I would chime in... I kind of understand what the OP meant.  Brahmins have a very polished look and one might associate that with professional, suited up attire. The thing is with classic styles like Brahmin, it's how you put a look together that keeps it fresh and appropriate regardless of age. 

Brahmin is not necessarily my style due to the animal embossing and high shine but that's just a preference (my wedding dress did not have any embelishment so I'm one of those people..)  I do think some of them are beautiful and they seem very well made. I was at Macys recently and wandered around the handbags...some of the Brahmins were gorgeous, especially the Ink Melbourne bags. That color is stunning in person. Also, the Dartmouth backpack is very chic.

[gidgetgh]

I recently bought my first two Brahmin bags. This one and the same materials in a cross body. I can't wait to use them. 

[stevieb]

Overall, I find their bags beautiful and beautifully made, but I only own a couple. It seems it's hard for me to find a silhouette that works for me in a color I turly want and rarely see one meeting both criteria at a sale price. I don't find them 'old' but do find I like them more 'in theory', given again that it seems so hard to find one I truly love enough to buy... Of the couple I have, I don't, however, find it hard to switch back to other brands, many of which are just as lovely and work as well, or better, for me. Bags are such an individual choice. 

Frankly, given what I'm seeing so far for the coming season, none of the tried and true, mid-range brands is thrilling me. I've seen lots of bags I like, but very few that really induce me to stop and look twice. Maybe that's a good thing.

 

[PamfromCT]

I must admit I am a handbag addict, in recovery.  No more handbag shows for me.  Already have a lot for a retired person.  I do have one small Brahmin, a mock croc, that is a beauty.  In my humble opinion, no brand does a better moc croc than Brahmin.  I have to wear smaller bags than I used to because of back issues.  I try to avoid presentations of bags on TV, and to go to the handbag department in stores is temptation alley.  

Especially when there are a lot of Brahmins.

[handygal2]

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@misschristy wrote:

My Macy's has gorgeous Brahmin bags.   There are textures I never dreamed existed in handbags.

I just bought my first one on clearance - $146.00.  It's calf hair on one side and patent leather croco on the other.  It will not be an every day bag - it will be for special occasions and a little black dress.  The bags are registered with Brahmin and they are constantly changing their inventory.  They don't repeat a lot.  I also love that they are light and roomy enough for my stuff.

I understand liking trendy - which I do too on occasion.  I just bought the Aimee K. bag upcoming TSV in gun metal.  I don't want just trendy bags though. 

I don't own tons of bags like some handbag lovers.  I can't justify it for myself. 

I'm also disgusted with bright colors because although I love them, the jean manufacturers are now using food coloring type dyes on dark jeans which constantly transfer to my purses. (no matter how many times you wash them).   I've managed to get the dye out of my mint green orYANY bag, but now I have another darling sand colored bag that I need to work on.  I am thinking there will be less dark colored jeans in my future.   I've been told that the government has mandated the dye change.  I know some women blame the handbag manufacturers, but it has nothing to do with them.   But there are some leather bags that have surface treatment that doesn't absorb the dye.  Like Brahmin and I'm pretty sure Dooney. 

Dooney's don't float my boat that much.   They are heavy and too small.  They all seem too similar to me.

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Regarding dye transfer from dark wash denim jeans onto light-colored bags, l have the same problem. I've found that pebble leather is the worst offender. My light-colored summer bags are Saffiano leather. They seem to resist the color transfer best, and l also find them easiest to clean.

i didn't know that Brahmin surface-treats their leather against dye transfer. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Serendipity]

I'm not sure the reason, but like the OP, I've never been able to warm up to this line. I appreciate the  from those who do. But for me, they just feel overly structured and stiff, and as a result a bit austere. Maybe it's the croco. I have often wondered if they soften somewhat with use?