Navy Blue Leather Handbag

For many years, navy blue was also the corporate uniform color of choice for many suit wearers. The navy suit became as ubiquitous for men as for women once women entered the workforce en masse and believed they had to dress as drably as their brethren did. With a navy suit, one only needed shoes and bags to finish off the dressed up business look.

In the 80s, Coach was one of the places professionals went to get tastefully understated designs and colors that were well made with fine leather. Almost all of their designs from the smallest shoulder clutch to their briefcases came in navy blue. Navy blue handbags have evolved as handbags have taken on increasing importance as symbols of upward mobility.

The Sky's the Limit: One Thousand and Up

In the last 20 years, every major designer has expanded, more aggressively, into the handbag market, so there are many more choices. Given navy's more conservative associations, however, classic houses like Chanel and Fendi are usually the most reliable when it comes to finding navy blue handbags.

Chanel

Perhaps the most famous of the haute couture designer handbags that come in navy blue come from Chanel. Chanel can still be conservative, but always with an added touch of French flair -- think the French Riveriera versus Cape Cod.

Chanel is emphatically classic yet not old. One of the most famous bags in the Chanel line is the 2.55 thus named because it was originally released in February of 1955 by Madame Coco Chanel herself. This bag, also known as the Classic Flap has appeared over the years with only the slightest variations, on, for example, the clasp. Karl Lagerfeld, who took over Chanel in 1983, decided to 'reissue' the 2.55 in February of 2005. There is always a navy blue version.

Fendi

Fendi is another label that became associated with tradition and reserve and was therefore on the outs until it hit big in 2006 with the then 'it' bag, the B Bag. This bag was so hot it was listed by Forbes Magazine as number one on the most expensive handbag list at twenty seven thousand dollars plus, topping out even the mighty Birkin. Additionally, Fendi offers a navy blue Secret Code Clutch as well as another very popular bag, the Medallion Spy Satchel also known as the Spy.

Prada

Prada/Miu Miu has perhaps the hottest navy blue leather handbag in town with the Miu Miu Matelasse Coffer, which comes in many other colors in addition to navy. This bag is hard to find in 2008 but should stay in circulation in after markets for years to come.

Navy Blue Leather Handbags for Under A Thousand

In the old money, conservative days, navy blue had its place. Flagrant displays of wealth were frowned upon and handbags did not scream for attention. Then the handbag market exploded because higher end designers targeted the lower end of the market, allowing even middle class women to have a taste of wealth. A good economy in the 1990s, easy credit and Sex and the City all played a part as well.

Now, new money and youth culture demand color, logos and lots of hardware. There is plenty of blue but it is not often navy. Coach is a great example of this change. There is barely anything left of the sleek navy blue bags referred to above except in their Hamptons Vintage Leather Flap Satchel and other bags in their vintage line.

Where to Go For Navy Blue Handbags

In addition to the links above, here are some other sites that can guide you to navy blue leather handbags:

• Net-A-Porter
• Nordstroms
• Rebecca Minkoff
• Piero Tucci
• Target