Mulberry style handbag on a budget

[Lilylou123]

Hello style gurus, I hope you can help me.

My lovely sister-in-law is due to turn 30. She has just gone back to work after having her first baby and I thought I would get her a nice handbag for work. My brother tells me she has always wanted a mulberry bag but they are way out of my price range - my budget is more like £2

[Lilylou123]

That's £200 obviously, stupid phone!

So can I get an executive-looking posh handbag for £200, and where? I think she would like something very classic, she is a classy girl. I was thinking black or dark brown.

I'd really appreciate some help, she's a doll and I'd like to get her something she'd like.

Thanks in advance!

[littlemissnormal]

This meets your criteria!

m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Vivien+small+embossed+e/w+tote/181126327,default,pd.html

[Lilylou123]

Ooooh that was quick! And v nice! I was maybe thinking about something a bit bigger though....

Might get that one for me!!

[littlemissnormal]

There are loads of nice smart totes on the House of Fraser website.

[Lilylou123]

There are, aren't there!

You're a genius, thank you!

[littlemissnormal]

I want the Vivienne Westwood one!

[Ilovebreakfast]

Hobbs?

[AmberNectarine]

Peony and Moore?

[MissDD1971]

my next bag in that price range (or spend a bit more) will be Marc by Marc Jacobs - forget brand but lady I see wearing it looks lush with it.

accordingly to thread here quality of Mulbs bags gone down and when my aunt (who's bag connoisseur) went to their outlet in Somerset for my brother's wedding she said bad discounts there....

[madammecholet]

I've got a few Peony & Moore bags, they're gorgeous... how about this one camilla classic / vintage feel bag?

[Lilylou123]

That's interesting about the quality and the discount - was thinking of going to Bicester to see the ones there but TBH these ones are all much nicer!! I'm a bit clueless - carry my stuff in my pockets or in the bottom of the pram - so this is all v helpful. Those peony and Moore ones are lovely, and I didn't even know Hobbs did handbags!!

If you were my sister-in-law, what colour would you like? Her current handbag is black and she has a posh changing bag that is grey.

You guys are awesome, thanks again!

[Elsiequadrille]

I wouldn't recommend Peony and Moore. I know they're cheaper than Mulberry, and they look nice, but I've found the quality very poor, and not comparable even with Mulberry's recent decline, (recent bad experience with a P and M, which has only lasted months; with glue they use for straps coming apart etc etc).

[Aquelven]

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_089011184788_-1



www.marksandspencer.com/Collection-Chunky-Turn-Lock-Tote/dp/B002C8LC6O?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_101&nodeId=1625695031&sr=1-101&qid=1381679685


www.marksandspencer.com/Collection-Leather-Buckle-Tote-Bag/dp/B0030JEYCI?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_3&nodeId=1625695031&sr=1-3&qid=1381679801&pf_rd_r=1T5XRZ6Q09FDN59CSKHC&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3

[justasecond]

What about a coccinelle bag. I just got this for about £200 from the outlet in Bicester. It is great quality and a good size too

www.lyst.com/bags/coccinelle-celeste-tote-taupe/

[Lilylou123]

That coccinelle one is gorgeous!! I'm not sure about the colour though - I love it but is it a bit unusual to give as a present?

Who knew there were so many lovely handbags around?! Could be the beginning of an expensive habit for me!!

The Hobbs ones are really pretty too - are they nice-feeling? The shop here is small and I don't think would have any in or not many.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Could you give your DBro the £200 and he can put it towards a Mulberry handbag (obviously he'd tell her that it was part from you ) and he can top up the rest.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Googled

But there was a Mulberry Bayswater came up @£195 "Sale"

[justasecond]

They come in lots of different colours just google coccinelle celeste. I like it in this colour too
www.miinto.co.uk/p-20157-coccinelle-celeste-shoulder-bag

[Lilylou123]

It's a good idea 70 - I'll ask my brother. But I think she just said she likes them in passing rather than a deep-seated need for one!! Rather like I want a Mercedes SLK....

TBH I was completely shocked by how much they cost (I am obviously completely out of touch with the world!!). They are lovely but what if my kids vomit on it or something?! Or your packed lunch leaks leftover bolognaise all over it?! I think mulberry owners must have a v different lifestyle from me!!

[Lilylou123]

Justasecond - that is gorgeous!! I'll google it.

[Lilylou123]

Aquelven - sorry, I did write you a reply - thank you and I love those too - would never have thought of marks and Spencer's for a handbag!!

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

Modalu Pippa ?

I have one of their small ones and it's great - looks more expensive than it is and I'm impressed by the quality. I'd go for a large one if I worked in an office, they are a great size for lugging all the essentials around. Come in lots of colours too.

[Lilylou123]

That's gorgeous hotel!

I shall show these to my brother and see what he thinks.

You guys are truly, truly amazing! Thank you!!!

[madammecholet]

Elsiequadrille did you send it back to P&M, they're usually really good on their customer service?

OP Russell & Bromley also a good place to look and NotOntheHighStreet.com...

[Hadmeathello]

Fossil do some lovely bags too.