In case you need a last-minute gift for your valentine — and are willing to shell out some extra cash — I’m re-sharing my tips for purchasing designer handbags. Give them a read before you take the pricey plunge.

This edition was originally published on July 7, 2022. Enjoy!

A nice handbag is one of my favorite splurges. I love browsing for new styles and adding classics to my collection. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend an absolute fortune to get a gorgeous handbag. Some of my favorite mid-priced designer handbags can be found here, here and here.

But if you’re going to up your spending limit on an accessory, it’s important to give this purchase a bit of extra thought. Follow these five steps before bringing home your next bag:

1. Pinpoint the primary purpose.

As you should with any major purchase, the first thing to ask yourself is why you want this bag? Are you primarily going to use it for work or social activities? If this bag will be used to haul a laptop or be shoved in the overhead compartment on a plane, you probably want to choose something with a resilient design. But if this bag is for showing up and showing out, a delicate chain strap or a fabric like velvet makes more sense. Once you decide how often you’ll be using the bag and for what, you can better set a budget for how much you want to spend.

2. Decide how much the label matters.

There is nothing wrong with loving a label. But those labels will cost you. Many designers have a signature bag, and if you love to collect them, the history behind those designs will help you justify the cost. If you know you want something nicer but don’t care as much who it’s made by, you can lower your budget without compromising on quality.

3. Examine the color options.

Once you’ve decided what bag you want, it’s time to look at the color options available. For me, if I’m going for a larger handbag or a tote, I want a more neutral shade for greater versatility and longer wear. I save fun prints or brighter colors for smaller bags that I’ll take along to social events—but keep in mind that you will likely get less use out of them.

4. Check the construction.

If you’re going to pay more for a bag, you want to be sure it’s made well from quality materials that will hold up. Do some research into the brand and where they source their materials and construct the bags. If you don’t want real leather, there are excellent vegan options available now. You can also go for a lighter material like nylon, silk or canvas. I’ve paid the most for leather bags, but it’s up to you which materials you feel are worth a premium price.

5. Look into aftercare.

I definitely don’t have a disposable bag income. If I’m going to spend on a nice bag, I want to keep it that way for as long as possible. Check with the brand about warranties or other maintenance services they provide if something is damaged. Otherwise, follow their instructions carefully to keep the bag protected. I love a dust bag, box or bin to block out sunlight, bugs and dirt when I’m not using the handbag and always keep leather cleaner at home for spot cleaning.

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MIDDI is a weekly roundup of mid-priced beauty, fashion and home buys released every Monday. Have a product you’re searching for? Leave your suggestions in the comments.