It’s the ugly truth: sometimes a girl’s budget dictates the limits of her sense of fashion. Though some may advocate “practical fashion,” we all know why costly brands are so – they’re worth every cent. You don’t buy a hundred dollar purse out of vanity in these troubling times, you buy it because it’s worth the money like Coach handbags, with the brand’s hallmark silver toggle, “fashion forward” style, “Cashin-Carry” textiles and linings, and the soft yet tough leather.

1941 was the year American designer Bonnie Cashin started the company as a family owned business in Manhattan, New York. After all those years, Coach has still remained as one of the top brands today, sold and purchased nationwide. Cashin started designing the future of handbags when she became the official designer for wholesale handbag manufacturers Miles and Lillian Cahn, but before then she was simply designing bags and accessories to compliment and complete her dress designs. Obviously, the team up was a success, and Cashin was soon a top name in the industry, raising standards in the league of women’s handbags. Looking at their website, you’d see it all: the development of the company, the varied and progressing designs of Cashin through the years, and the popularity of the different product lines available.

More than just being in on the current fashion trend, having a Coach handbag that completes and compliments your attire is a statement already. Yet now more than ever, with the pressing global recession in tow, a girl’s pocket is finding it more difficult to afford Coach. Fortunately, there are alternate options other than getting Coach handbags at full price.

In these times of practicality, one of the first things that comes to mind when trying to be sensible and save up is to buy secondhand items. Of course, many would all frown at this option. But a Coach handbag is still a Coach handbag regardless if it’s brand new or not. Also there might be cases where you settle buying secondhand because the design that you liked has been sold out. This alternative is practical and reasonable, and anyway, most secondhand Coach handbags are still in pretty good condition.

The next time you go looking for Coach handbags, try the secondhand options first. Even if you have enough money to buy brand new, there might be a secondhand one out there perfect for you. The Internet is a good place to look, though be wary of fraudulent sites and imitation products. Just look for the Coach brand, the silver toggle, and some credentials from the advertising site and you’re set. For women out there who’re adamant about getting their hands on brand new Coach handbags and purses, there are still a few options. Coach outlets actually sell for a lower price than retail stores. Some claim prices there are a third less than in retail stores in malls or department stores. Also, there are factory outlets you can try, which sell for even lower, as some stocks of a particular product line might not have been sold out or some of the products might not have been “showroom quality.” You can look at it like buying back issues of magazines.

Again the Internet is a good place to search for locations of these outlets. Just remember, a little resourcefulness can help afford you your chic fashion sense minus the price.