A Buick and a Brainstorm: Seat Belt Bags Offer Unique Purse Alternative

We all know that seatbelts save lives. But what about when someone's medication for a life-threatening illness, a bobby-pin for a hair emergency or when clear nail polish for a pantyhose snafu is located in a purse made from a seatbelt?

That's right. Purses made from seatbelts-a concept which stemmed from a Buick and a brainstorm. The "Original Seatbelt Bag" is created by Harveys Industries, a company started by California husband and wife team, Dana and Melanie Harvey in 1997.

The company's website explains that the couple had a 1950 Buick and while installing new seatbelts to the ride, the decided to make Melanie a matching handbag. Everyone who saw her one-of-a-kind bag loved the creation. With a new demand for the clever design, the duo began to make more. Soon, the Harveys outgrew their garage and exploded into a 12,000 square-foot warehouse and design studio in Santa Ana.

Today, the Seatbelt Bag product line has grown to features handbags, change purses, laptop bags, diaper bags, makeup cases, keychains, messenger bags, backpacks, hipsters, wristlets, totes of all sizes and more. The handbag category is filled with different collections and themes, including the Classic Collection, the Carriage Collection, Black & White, Floral, Summer, and more. In addition, the company also designed a MADD bag, for which a portion of proceeds go to the drunk driving awareness and prevention organization.

Many of the Harveys seat belt creations are numbered, limited editions. In addition ladies looking to purchase these one of a kind bags should be willing to pay designer prices, $100-$200 or more depending on the size and line. Change purse, make-up cases and smaller items range from the $30s to the $80s. Some satisfied customers on the site's testimonials page rave that these seat belt bags are every penny.

Customers aren't the only ones raving about the seat belt bags either-the company has been featured in Maxim, Jump, Pregnancy and various arts, entertainment and fashion publications.

The Seat Belt Bags are also sold in the Harveys own retail location in Santa Ana. And in addition to selling new bags, the retail location also takes customer service to a high level by providing a mail-order repair and cleaning service for just a $20 service fee.

While many of its products are exclusive to the website, the Seatbelt Bags are also available at certain retail locations and specialty boutiques. So instead of buckling up, spend a few bucks and be the only one in your carpool with a seat belt bag.