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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 95 Comments · by

Coffee Break – Linda Crocodile Bag

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Nancy Gonzalez Linda Crocodile Bag, RedHa cha cha. I remember being incredulous the first time I saw the price tag on a Nancy Gonzalez bag at Bergdorf's — yes, nice, but HOW many thousands of dollars did they want for it? But over the years I really have come to appreciate the structure, craftsmanship, and just flat-out beauty of these bags. In fact, for my $.02 I probably like her designs the best of the truly high-end bags like Chanel and Hermes. This one is $3,600 at Bergdorf Goodman. Nancy Gonzalez Linda Crocodile Bag, Red (L-2)

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Comments

  1. SF Bay Associate

    Crap, I love this bag, but cannot justify that price. I am a non-bag changer person, so my daily black structured bag gets heavy use and is looking a bit worse for wear after three years, especially around the corners. Ok, Corporettes, suggestions for a black structured bag in the Nancy Gonzalez shape for $200-$600?

  2. Always a NYer

    This bag is gorgeous!!! I love the color, the material, and it has feet! One day I’ll be able to afford it, until then I’ll continue lusting after it =)

    • Emma

      I agree, it’s gorgeous. Love the color. Although even if I could afford it, not sure if I would ever actually spend this much. I get frustrated when my $400 bags get scuffed even though I take good care of them; I can’t imagine how I would feel if that happened to this one!

      • Lydia

        Agree. Beautiful bag, but not sure I could ever spend thousands on a bag even if it were in my budget…

      • Lyssa

        Same here, except revise $400 to, oh, about $40!

        Seriously, though, to my mind, there’s sort of a point of diminishing returns for how much pleasure I could personally get for the money- It is very pretty, but I just couldn’t see having all of the vacations, nice furniture, charitable donations, gifts to loved ones, nice clothing, great shoes, nice places to live, and retirement funding to the point that I would consider paying this much for a bag. (But if any of you have the money and that’s what’s important to you, absolutely, more power to you and enjoy!)

        • E

          A beautiful handbag makes me happy every day. A vacation makes me happy for 7 days.

    • Diana Barry

      Agreed – beautiful! Anyone want to volunteer to find the lower-priced substitute? :)

    • AD

      Wow, spectacular! I’m personally still holding out for a Bottega Veneta bag but this might move into 2nd place on the list.

      Though has anyone ever picked one of these up? I have the impression that it would be quite a heavy bag. (Yeah, that’s it – I don’t want it because it’s too heavy…..)

      • Anonymous

        I got signed up for Amazon’s new deal site MyHabit, and today’s deal (I believe it’s today anyway) is for Bottega Veneta bags and sunglasses… Hope that’s not too tempting!

        • AD

          Thanks – I signed up but (un)fortunately it was only sunglasses. There were bags yesterday on Rue La La, but not the one I’m looking at.

    • Bonnie

      They have similar bags in Argentina for about $500. Even with the cost of the flight it would be cheaper than this one. ;-)

      • KH

        There was actually a NYT article this morning about whether there is a market for high-end celebrity – The Row, Victoria Beckham – designer bags. Their definition of high-end was (hold your breath) $30,000 and up! The designs were very beautiful and I think part of the price came from the rare skins that were used. And yes, there is a market but I’d guess is is mostly women who aren’t earning their money by the sweat of their brow.

        Fortunately, at that price I don’t have to wrestle with my convictions about the skin :)

    • michelle

      OK, I can’t afford it, and couldn’t justify it if I could afford it… but let’s agree we’re not getting it because of the lack of alternate views showing the lining and internal pockets?

      • Anon

        Her bags are gorgeous. But I can’t get over that some poor monster was skinned and dyed hot pink to make the bag. Not for me, but no judgements against those who like it.

        • Ellie

          How do you find nice vegan bags and shoes? Just curious, every one I have found has looked and felt (and been, to be fair) really cheap.

    • The Online Shopper

      I agree. This bag is amazing, but if I ever spent that much a bag, it would have to have its own cube outside of my office, have its own seat in the car, and at any restaurant. This signals to me that I probably cannot comfortably afford it :)

  3. Runnin for it

    In my fantasies of limitless wealth and time I would carry this bag.

  4. Do I Tell?

    I work for a government agency that recently had a leadership change and will probably make serious personnel cuts in the next few months. We have already had a pay cut this year. I discussed the possibility of a promotion with my supervisor prior to the leadership change and she agreed that she thought it was merited since I am already doing that level work anyway. However, with the new leadership, she’s made it pretty clear to everyone in the department that there’s no way we can get another senior position approved. I am not willing to take on any new duties without a pay increase.

    At this point I think I have to start looking elsewhere and I would like to use my supervisor as a reference. I know she thinks highly of my work, but I am worried about telling her I am looking. On the one hand I think she’ll understand that I can’t stay in a dead end position, but if I leave chances are my position will have to be eliminated entirely.

    The question is, do I take the risk and tell her or just try to ask other people for references? This is my first legal job and the legal department is very small, so I’m not sure what alternative there is.

    • E

      “On the one hand I think she’ll understand that I can’t stay in a dead end position, but if I leave chances are my position will have to be eliminated entirely.”

      Sounds like you have the upper hand. She won’t fire you if you can’t be replaced. So either she finds a way to promote you, or she loses you. If she’s smart she’ll do the former.

      • AD

        I’m not exactly sure that it’s true that a manager is always able to “find a way to promote someone”, particularly if the department is already under some stress.

        Maybe the first thing to do is to sound out what’s going on in your supervisor’s head these days. She may not be happy that you’d be considering leaving, but she could also be quite understanding about the position you’re in. She may even be considering where all of the changes have left her, or could possibly be relieved to find out that you might be voluntarily looking to leave (meaning someone else doesn’t need to get let go).

        If you have at least a decent trusting relationship with her, I’d at least be semi-open about your concerns regarding your career path, and ask her what her thoughts or advice would be. If she brushes you off by telling you that everything is fine, then look elsewhere for references.

        • gov anon

          This. Frankly, if your agency doesn’t have the budget for more senior personnel, she’s not going to be able to promote you no matter how much she wants to. I’d cautiously sound her out on her thoughts of a) when/if the budget crunch might ease and b) her thoughts and advice about the possibility of you leaving for greener pastures.

    • anonymous

      Usually you don’t need to give people references until you get to the point that they’re serious about hiring you. So how about exploring and seeing what happens before you tell her?

      • Do I Tell?

        I’m already interested in opportunities that require references as part of the initial application, unfortunately.

        • AT

          Many jobs that ask for references up front also ask if you want to be notified before they contact them. I think part of it is winnowing out candidates that can’t think of X number of people who will vouch for them. In any event, I think it is probably very rare that a potential employer would contact a reference before interviewing the actual candidate, so if you get to an interview stage you can tell them then that you would like notification before they contact your boss so that you can alert her at that point that you’ve been looking elsewhere. This isn’t a crazy request, in fact, I think it’s probably the norm. Anyway, just food for thought.

    • CW

      If you’ve been there for a long enough period of time that it would not be unusual for you to seek out other opportunities and you have a good relationship with your supervisor (meaning, she is something of a mentor), then I think you can ask her for a reference. Obviously your request should be carefully thought out in order to CYA. I think putting out feelers, like AD suggested, would be a good first step.

      I think an actual request would need to include: 1) that you love your job and the people you work with, 2) reference to the mutually agreed upon merit-based promotion, 3) concerns about the leadership change and the inability of getting another senior position approved, and 4) the need to continue to grow and learn new things, and also the desire to be recognized and compensated for those skills. And then just say that while you know her hands are tied at the moment (regarding a promotion) because of the organizational changes, you hope she would be willing to serve as a reference in the future if the need arises.

  5. Circe

    I’ve been invited to join a colleague on a day-long cruise on her sailboat, with various stops. She’s lovely, but I don’t know her that well. What would I bring as a hoast gift to a sailboat?

    • LadyEnginerd

      I’d bring something consumable (food, alcohol) that isn’t very sensitive to how it’s refrigerated, and isn’t too complicated to eat/drink. If it’s feasible, you could pick up the tab for lunch at one of the stops. Regardless, I’d then write a nice thank-you note afterwards. Before you do anything, ask her if there’s anything you can bring. Space is at a premium on a boat, so she probably has some very specific ideas as to what would be appreciated (even if you’re just getting ice for coolers, that’s one more thing she can cross off her list for the morning of the cruise).

      Other random things to remember, because I’m channelling my mother: sunscreen, hand wipes, a water bottle you can clip to something (like a nalgene with a carabiner), and something to keep your hat and sunglasses firmly attached to your person. Make sure your purse zips shut, because it will probably tip over, and wear/bring layers.

  6. S

    I am still beholden to pleather bags. I’m too cheap to invest in a real one, and I’ve never seen one I loved enough to know I won’t get sick of it in a season or two’s time.

    I have finally seen it, and it is this bag.

    Ouch that is is $3600. Pleather will have to remain in my life for the foreseeable future.

  7. Ashley

    Drop a zero, and it would still be too rich for my blood. It’s gorgeous, though.

  8. Anon for this

    Here’s hoping the hive mind can help me out with a sticky workplace situation. I work for a large, conservative company in a position that supports other areas of the company and requires frequent communication and interaction both inside and outside the company. A recent college hire has come into my group, and is pushing the boundaries of harassment with younger, female colleagues such as myself, though he doesn’t realize it. He has made comments about a “cute little smile,” offered up his clothes at a cold restaurant and told me he was a former swimmer so he was comfortable in his tightie whities, given me an innuendo for a safety slogan, and tickled a colleague on the upper back when at a networking event, among other things. I have tried to shut down comments by saying that they’re not appropriate, and have spoken to a more senior man, who happens to be his trainer, in my group to ask him to broach the subject but this does not seem to have helped. I don’t want to report this to HR or my supervisor as I genuinely believe he is clueless, but this has to stop. It’s making me and others uncomfortable and I’m afraid of the image he might project external to our company. He has a work appointed “buddy” and I’ve thought about mentioning it to him, but I don’t know that he would be comfortable with that task. Should I have a frank conversation with him? Tell someone else? What should I do corporettes?

    • Esquirette

      That sucks. This guys sounds like a cliche. I think you posted too late to get a lot of responses so try posting earlier tomorrow to see if anyone has some good advice (as mine may not be). I think you’ve taken good steps to try and address issues. It may be worth following up with this person’s trainer again to express all your concerns about your colleague and note that his behavior hasn’t changed — it seems like it would be his job, if anyone’s, to make sure the new hire was behaving appropriately. Maybe the trainer didn’t bother to actually discuss the issue with him — he may have hoped things would blow over. The buddy might be a good second option, particularly if you have a good relationship with that person. Even if he wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so directly, there are ways that he could address the issue indirectly that might help (e.g., after observing an inappropriate interaction, take the opportunity to discuss with the new hire why his behavior is raising flags). It seems like you are being direct with the new hire (which is great) but I would have concerns about taking it on with him directly unless you are much more senior than him. Maybe it would be ok if you otherwise liked this person and were establishing a good relationship with him (e.g., hey buddy, you’re a great addition to the team and I like working with you but , I gotta tell you, you really are raising some flags with some of your comments, people have noticed that a lot of your comments sound as if you are flirting, which doesn’t fly in our conservative company . . . ). Good luck!

    • MelD

      I think you just need to be frank with him and tell him that if his behaviors don’t stop, either you or someone else will report him to HR. My guess is that he just doesn’t take any man’s comments about this topic seriously and it probably needs to be a woman who does the talking. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own, find another woman who feels the same way who can approach him with you.

    • karenpadi

      I think he needs a frank conversation with the real threat to go to HR. If you can, I’d include his trainer. Maybe seeing a man agreeing that this behavior is egregious will help.

      If you haven’t started, document everything.

      At least he’s not senior (yet) so I don’t see any backlash coming back to you.

    • Anonymous

      Suggested responses right after/during inappropriate actions:
      You shouldn’t be doing/saying that.
      Let’s be non-contact co-workers.
      Wow. Awkward.

      YMMV

    • a lawyer

      I would not leave this to someone else to do, unless it is someone you are 100 percent sure is not going to say something along the lines of “the women here think you are being too forward, you know how women are these days.” It sounds as if whatever has already been said to the offender did not make an impression, so I would do it myself, directly, with the threat of HR and with a witness you also trust.

      • Esquirette

        Hmm. My comment was definitely not like the others so I’m glad you got more responses. I think a lawyer makes a good point and, on second thought, I’d actually be more concerned about the trainer potentially not addressing the issue properly. So maybe HR will be where this lands — for both of them. It sucks that this new hire is causing problems but the people he is causing problems for (e.g., you) are the ones that have to make waves to deal with it. Go in with your eyes open though — this could come across as a “personal” issue — to this guy and to others. *shudder* Having a documented list of examples of his inappropriate behavior from a variety of people (willing to support examples) would help with this. Good luck!!

  9. SAlit-a-gator

    I love this bag and appreciate the lack of temptation due to the astronomical price tag. No need to think about potentially getting this because it’s miles and leagues outside my budget.

  10. AIMS

    I can see how this bag is appealing, but it’s totally not my style. Something about it just a bit too stiff, or maybe just too Joan Collins for me. If presented with the opportunity, I think I’d rather take an Hermes or Chanel instead… ;)

    • Alanna of Trebond

      I actually think this bag is kind of ugly — but it might just be the color. And I usually LOVE bright colors — maybe it’s that particular shade? Anyway, when I first saw this post, I was like, that bag *cannot* be more than 40 dollars. Anyone who has it — I hope it looks better in person.

      Seconded on Hermes or Chanel note (although, Hermes is MUCH more expensive than Chanel — there was an ideeli sale on Hermes bags…and that’s not just a month’s rent, but a whole year!)

  12. AJ

    I’ve got to wonder what it is about bags that always brings out the shocked comments. Obviously, this bag is crazy expensive, and even as an avowed bag girl, I wouldn’t spend this much. It’s two months rent.

    But the same comments come out for $300-400 bags, and from a group of people who pay what I consider a lot of money for shoes. A well-made bag can last a really long time, too.

  13. shrink

    OK. I have been waiting for a thread about totes etc. Thinking of taking the plunge on a Melbourne by Brahmin (tote) as offered at Nordstrom. Does anyone have it?

    Can it adequately hold 2-3 std. file folders about an inch thick of papers each?
    Are these nice (somewhat pricey for me) totes ok without feet on them?
    Durability?
    Not too ostentatious?
    Is it practical to have a “briefcase” with only long straps and no handle?

    Mine now, an MC has both and depending on the weight of what’s in it or what else I’m carrying, I alternate between straps and handles. It’s an everyday accompaniment for me, so I’m willing to “invest.”

    On the other hand, I’m a once yearly purse exchanger . Summer is a red seat belt bag, and fall is a slouchy grey soft Hobo.

  14. definitely anon for this

    This is gross and very embarrassing, but I’m looking for advice (and I am not a troll!):

    I have my period, and when I got up from my work computer today, I noticed that there was a stain on my fabric chair. I immediately rushed to the bathroom after I realized what had happened and managed to get the stain off my skirt surprisingly easily. I tried to get it off my chair, but it’s still there, and it’s pretty obvious. To add to the embarrassment, I don’t have a real office, and my desk is in a highly-trafficked area.

    Does anyone have any remedies or suggestions? I am mortified–this hasn’t happened since freshman year of high school. Thanks!

    • karenpadi

      “accidentally” spill cold water on your chair and blot the stain away.

    • Jas

      Peroxide or an enzyme based cleaner seems to work best for blood stains for me. In the mean time, put a blanket or cartigan on the chair when you’re not sitting there. If nothing works, I think I’d “accidentally” spill coffee or ink or something on the chair to replace the stain with something less embarassing.

        • anon three

          Throw a cardigan over it if you can for the day. If it won’t come off after work (when no one can see you attempt to clean), swap chairs with an empty cube or meeting area that has something the same?

    • Eponine

      OxyClean in the spray bottle gets out my special lady stains every time. I think it would work on a chair, and it’s never damaged any fabric I’ve used it on. Get some at CVS and try it out, and use another chair in the meantime. If anyone asks just say you spilled your lunch yesterday.

      • Lydia

        I second the Oxyclean spray suggestion. My friend spilled a glass of red wine on my cream colored dress a few weeks ago. Oxyclean worked wonders.

  15. Jane Fairfax

    First try one of those Tide stain eraser pens. If that does not work, try peroxide, but beware, it may bleach the fabric.

  16. Bunkster

    Ladies, I’m still at work. I’ve already told you about the hell I’ve been through this week. I was out sick yesterday, but I came in today because it’s our crazy busy time. I’ve had my headache since Monday afternoon.

    Our production system crashed today and we can’t get it back up. My boss just announced that I’ll have to run hundreds of reports manually and that no one will be able to assist me. I told him that is unacceptable. I can’t do them all. Since the system is still not up, the failed reports are going to stockpile. If he doesn’t assign someone to help me, I’m going to have to go to HR or his boss or something. I’ll end up spending every second of my holiday running reports.

    Plus, I didn’t get to go to the gym or have lunch or play wii or even pack for my weekend away. I just had dinner now. It’s insane.

    • Lyssa

      That stinks and I’m sorry! Would it be possible (depends on your workplace, I’m sure) to speak to your boss’s boss, not in a “telling on” way, but in more of a “I don’t think that Boss understands that this really is impossible and could you give me advice on how to handle this?” sort of way? It will help, of course, if the boss’s boss has a good idea of what you’re doing and how important the timeframes are and that sort of thing.

      My concern about going to HR would be that they probably really don’t know much about your job, and probably can’t work quickly enough to fix it (they’re going on holiday, too!), so, assuming that your boss hasn’t actually broken any company policies or anything, they probably can’t/won’t do much. And it sounds like you’ve already spoken to your boss and he’s no help.

      Good luck and I hope that it works out for you.

    • Eponine

      Could you survive if you quit and it took a few months to find a new job? If so, go over his head and tell his boss what the deal is and that you’re quitting if it isn’t remedied stat.

      Your job is a nightmare, and no one deserves to be treated like you’re being treated on a daily basis. Get out.

      Another possibility if you can’t get out immediately: phone it in. Go home at 5 and live your life. If your boss doesn’t like it, tough. Use your newfound free time to apply for new jobs.

  17. CC

    Ahh I think there is a dead roach in my kitchen. Its on its back… that’s def a roach right? How bad is one? does that mean there are more? making my girliest ahhhhh scream right now by myself in my apartment.

    • MelD

      Yes, there are more living in your walls. Is it a big one or a small one? Big ones are actually better in terms of cleanliness since you can get those even if your apartment is pristine. If it’s a small one, it probably means someone near you has a filthy apartment and it will be hard to exterminate them unless that person cleans up his/her act as the filth will keep attracting new ones. Call up your landlord to try to get pest control and lay some nontoxic traps around your apartment.

      • CC

        It seemed very big, but how big is big? it was almost an inch long I think. I’m so grossed out

        • Houda

          Just to let you know, sometimes the big ones come from sewage pipes or are sprayed by neighbours and they end up dead at your apartment.
          I remember once I had 3 of them and thought I would die (obviously didn’t sleep as I was on a watchout). But never had this problem again even after one year.

  19. Jane

    Love the bag; would never pay that. I love Tignanello. Love the shapes, color, hardware and they last and last. About $180.

    • Batgirl

      They’re okay–they have a surprising amount of arch support for what they are, but I wouldn’t walk for miles in them. I think you get just about what you pay for, though. Not great, not terrible.

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