Jana wrote:
Fossil is a good investment--they look like new for years. If you have an upscale outlet mall anywhere near you, Coach is great and there are several others. Go in and get on their mailing lists--you'll get notices of major sales on top of outlet prices. If you must have this year's bag as soon as it comes out, this isn't for you; otherwise, it's a great way to get high quality bags for cheap. The same malls will have shoe outlets.

This.

Duh, I can't believe I didn't think of it before.  Dude, you live 30 minutes from San Marcos(for all you non Texans, that's like- outlet city... best stores in the state).  Drive over to the Coach outlet and see what they've got.  They have some AMAZING stuff for SUPER cheap.  I am ROUGH on my bags.  Like, I should be shot for the way I treat my designer stuff and my coach purses have held up for YEARS as rough as I am with them.  They get thrown on the ground, barn, dirt, wherever- don't tell my mom but I got acid on my new Dooney and Burke last week in lab.  I've never been particularly careful with them and they all still look great.  The only reason I got new ones is because my mom found another great deal (it's nice she lives close enough to go to super rich people's garage sales.... they get rid of the "too big" bags that I love!).  I have about 5 bags I've carried over the last 10 years that could keep on going if I wanted.

Go to Coach this weekend and see what they've got.  You have plenty of links and suggestions for style

On the topic of Mooseknuckles:
Valo wrote:
I totes googled it. While on campus in a public space surrounded by students.

Balls. I haz them.
Timid Wild One wrote:
^Balls. You saw them.