[Shelacious]

I think that Coach makes the most classic designer black and chocolate brown purses for the most affordable price (for a designer bag). For some reason, I have never been a Dooney girl. Gucci also does black well, as is LV Epi.

My current favorite designer bag, which is also a classic (to me) is Lambertson Truex. Another favorite designer of mine is Ghurka. TOD's, Hogans also have nice bags, though far out of my price range. Another designer that doesn't get a lot of visiblity but whose bags I really like is Furla. Hype bags are currently the rave in some circles.

I agree that Prada owns the "black bag" market, although for some reason her designs and the bags themselves just leave me cold.

I would also search the Internet at look at some of the on-line fashion sites that sell purses (blupyxie, bluefly, bagshop, others) because you might find a designer purse you love that isn't from a "trendy" designer for a better price and still with high quality materials.