Watching Sex and the City (the movie) this evening, something hit me.  Just like Louise (from St. Louis), played by Jennifer Hudson, I too can afford a full closet of luxury bags.  How? Using  Bag Borrow or Steal, also known as Avelle.

Your options are as varied as their personalities

The online website gives women around the world the opportunity to temporarily own authentic designer handbags and accessories. Take for example the Michael Kors Chain Satchel Handbag. Let’s say that I would like to “borrow” this handbag for a certain period of time. As a “guest” member, which is free, I could borrow the bag for $63 a month. As a preferred member (note: a membership is $5 per month), I would pay $50 a month for the Michael Kors bag. Keep in mind the retail value is $378. 

 For those who don’t want to carry around the same bag day after day, Avelle allows members to enjoy designer handbags for short periods of time. Say, until a newer, trendier bag comes out. But, beware. The trendiest pieces get a lot of attention and chances are good you’ll have to put yourself on a wait list for an item. And, if you fall head over heels with a particular item, Avelle offers the option of purchasing your rental.

Right now, I’m a guest member, but there are obvious benefits to becoming an actual member. Not only are the monthly and weekly rates for bags and accessories significantly lower, but Avelle sends coupon codes to all of their members and notifies them when new items are posted on the website. For example, this year, Avelle offered the “Naughty or Nice: All Rentals for Half Price” discount, which allowed all members to order any in-stock rental for half the price. In addition, Avelle offers their members private outlet sales, loyalty rewards, wait list privileges for popular items, 20% discounts on all rentals, and first access to new arrivals. For $5 a month, I’d say that’s quite a deal.

Personally, I think that the website is brilliant, especially for people like me, who fall in and out of love with items in just a couple of weeks. Borrow a pair of Juicy Couture “Queen of Everything” Sunglasses for Spring Break. They’re only $10 a week, $155 less than their retail value. Borrow those gorgeous David Yurman Garnet & Ruby Square Earrings for your sister’s wedding. The earrings, which are $1,950 retail value, are only $101 a week. You know that classic, quilted, Chanel handbag you’ve been eyeing for months? The $800 bag is yours for only $85 a week.

And you thought diamonds were a girl’s best friend. Think again.