How to buy and care for a designer handbag

NEW YORK -- More people are buying high-end handbags again as economic uncertainty wanes and consumer confidence grows.

Here's how to get a designer bag for less and take proper care of it so it lasts.

Bang for your buck

If you're hard on your belongings, or you measure longevity in decades instead of years, it may make the most sense for you to spend a little more up front.

Specialty retailers will often repair their wares at little or no charge. Michael Kors will repair a defect for free within the first year; Kate Spade will make free repairs for manufacturer defects within two years

And Coach Inc. will make any needed repairs for a $20 shipping and handling charge for as long as you own one of its bags. Beauty and fashion expert Rebekah George advises knowing repair policies before you buy and holding onto receipts, just in case you ever have a problem.

Shopping alternatives

Whichever bag you covet, start with a Web search. At sites like Overstock, eBags and Bluefly, you'll find discounts starting at roughly 10 percent. Also try auction sites like eBay.com or propertyroom.com, which sells police property. Just be on the lookout for counterfeits.

Outlet stores are another option. Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke and Coach all have them.

Off-price stores like T.J. Maxx are another good bet. That chain's website recently showed a Dooney & Bourke medium-sized jacquard fabric tote bag selling for $69, down from $195.

Proper care

The best way to make your new bag last is to treat it well. Each week, empty it and shake it out upside down, then clean the lining with a lint roller, suggests George.

Periodically clean the outside with a specialized solution, whether your bag is made of leather, suede or cloth. Check with the manufacturer for cleaning products it makes or recommends. For minor marks, a baby wipe might even work, while the largest stains demand a trip to a professional cleaner, says accessory and style expert Pamela Pekerman.

Proper loading

Don't overstuff your bag because that stresses the straps. Keeping your bag clutter-free also helps prevent small items and the lining from getting stuck in a zipper. Try not to carry scissors or pens, and keep makeup in a separate pouch inside your purse.

Proper handling

Never put your bag on the floor of a public bathroom or restaurant. Use bathroom stall hooks and chair backs to keep it clean. Or use a purse hook, typically $15 or less, to hang your bag from a restaurant table.

And, when you're not using it, Pekerman recommends carefully storing your bag under a dust cover.