Harveys may have some hot competition on its hands, with Maggie Bags looking to steal its seatbelt purse crown. Just like Harveys, the Tennessee-based Maggie Bags label creates eco-friendly accessories from recycled seatbelts.
But it's not quite more of the same. While Harveys handbags feature a traditional lattice design, Maggie Bags are made with a patented diamond weave.
The colors are diverse, from neutral black and tan to vibrant red and lime green. The brand recently expanded their range to include a spirit line, a collection which features the color combinations of professional, college, and high school sporting teams.
"I think when football season comes around these will really take off," said the brand's founder, Woody Dew.
The fashion brand is a change of pace for parent company Tennessee Webbing Products, who also makes cargo restraint netting for pick-up tricks. But it seems to know a thing or two about style.
If you're hoping for a bargain from this new kid on the block, you may be disappointed. Costs range from $50 for a clutch to $150 for a diaper bag. It's not exorbitant, but it's no cheaper than their more established competition.
So it seems the deciding vote may be down to personal preference. Are you into the Harveys' boxy checks, or are Maggie Bags' diamonds to your liking?
Maggie Bags are sold at the company's website and in 120 stores across the United States.
[Source: Knoxvillebiz.com.com]
[Image Source: Maggie Bags]
Maggie Bags on eBay
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Maggie Bags Tote of Many Colors Rainbow Stripe Repurposed Recylced Seatbelt Bag US $49.95   Auction Ends: 20d 4h 17m Make it yours... |
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MAGGIE BAGS Recycled Seat belt CAMPUS TOTE New w tags 2 Tone Tan Purse US $9.99 0 Bid Auction Ends: 5h 17m Make it yours... |
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MAGGIE BAGS Small Messenger Purse Tote Dark Gray NEW Recycled Seat Belt US $9.99 1 Bid Auction Ends: 5h 36m Make it yours... |
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June 23rd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
FYI – Maggie Bags prices are about 1/2 the cost of Harvey’s handbags.
August 28th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I love Maggie bags! I have a few and seriously they are the most durable and fashionable thing I own!
September 13th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Is there anything to be said for the fact that Maggie Bags are a total rip-off of Harveys Seatbeltbags? I have had a Harveys bag since 2001 and am personally offended at this cheap attempt to plagiarize their line.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Maggie bags are not taking the crown away from Harveys. Maggie bags are fakes. The only reason that they use the diamond weave is because they want to avoid a law suit. There is nothing eco friendly about bags made in China. Harveys Bags are made in the U.S.A and are guaranteed for life. Stick to pick up truck webbing Maggie bags. Be original, don’t steal ideas.
Temoc
November 11th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
TEMOC – I totally disagree with you. Maggie Bags represents the American free enterprise system at its best. There is nothing fake or knock-off about them. The Maggie Bags designers improved upon an existing product with a superior design, and they did it in a way that avoided stepping on anyone’s rights. Harvey’s can’t sue Maggie Bags because Harvey’s rights have not been violated in any way. This is the result of competition in the marketplace, and the American consumer loves competition. Thanks to Maggie Bags, consumers now have a greater choice. And BTW, Harvey’s was not the first to offer a handbag constructed from seat belt webbing. Harvey’s did exactly what Maggie Bags has done – improved upon an existing product. Technical innovation through the American free enterprise system. It’s all good.
January 26th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I have bags from both lines. Both offer well made quality pieces. The hardware on Harveys can’t be beat and the lining in Maggie’s is exquisite. Other than those two differences I would say buy from either line depending on the purpose of the bag you want. You will not be disappointed.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I have both bags also and I love them both.
The Harvey’s bags are not all repurposed material. They have the webbing produced for their bags. Maggie Bags are only assembled in China, not made there. The webbing is all recycled. It is webbing that would wind up in the landfill. Truly a “green” option that is saving a lot of product from filling up our earch with non biodegradable material.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
POSTMAN- you are right innovation is the American way. However, if you look at Maggie’s Bags there is clearly no innovation in the product. I think that is what is irritating people here. If you are going to build upon another mans work, then build. This is clearly a case of plagiarism which is NOT the American way.
February 20th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Maggie bags was started by TN Webbing. They sell seatbelt to many companies for many uses. HARVEYS was one of their customers for over 10 years before they decided to copy them and create a new division “Maggie Bags”. They even visited the HARVEYS factory several times and saw how the bags were made. Bad business ethics in my book. As unbelievable as it sounds this is 100% true.
April 25th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Oh who cares that 2 companies are making the same types of bags! It’s all good for the enviroment, and in todays economy we should be grateful there are jobs available. There’s plenty of room for both of them.
I for one don’t pick sides. I have purses from both of them because i belive in the product and the companies.
November 7th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
It’s not plagiarism for another company to sell a similar product after someone invents an idea. That’s just business. We don’t have one brand of jeans or one type of ketchup. Someone has to create, then other companies tweak and sell. In EVERY product out there, there’s probably at least a few brands.
August 13th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Actually, Maggie didn’t steal from Harvey’s. And Harvey’s didn’t invent the seatbelt bag (they simply trademarked the term “seatbelt bag”) Seatbelt bags were made in the 60’s by hippies (no one in the 60’s wore seatbelts but race car drivers), they would cut them out and make items. I remember my brother’s girlfriend making a similar bag in 1968 or 1969 and put flower stems in the woven checker pattern. Harvey’s is actually quite unoriginal, which in turn make Maggie bags quite unoriginal. Almost every accessory Harvey’s has come out with recently has been made already by a smaller company. They can’t think of any new items, easier to steal, it’s exactly what Urban Outfitters does.
September 10th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Maggie Bags is cheap. The colors on the large shopping totes like the USA ones fade onto each other. A total mess.
No wonder the auto company didn’t want the seatbelt. It needs to be put in the trash.